Jonathan Lovato, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Texas 2016

LUBBOCK, TX – A pair of Lubbock residents were sentenced to prison for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Jonathan Lovato, 34, was sentenced to two 480-month sentences in federal prison, to run concurrently, for his role in the conspiracy. Crystal Ann Alaniz, 33, received a 60-month sentence in federal prison for her involvement in the case. Both pleaded guilty in November 2016 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.

Lovato also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting. Co-defendants Arleen Theres Keithley, 36, Juan Carlos Lara-Ochoa, 24, and Jose Alberto Cibrian, 41, pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

According to court documents, on March 17, 2016, officers with the Lubbock Police Department conducted an undercover narcotics purchase from a hotel room in Lubbock. During surveillance, officers saw Lovato arrive in a silver sedan and begin to take items from the hotel room. Lovato attempted to leave the hotel in his vehicle, evading officers for several blocks before striking several other vehicles and fleeing the scene.

One individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers discovered a 9mm caliber pistol in Lovato’s waistband and a package containing 118.13 grams of methamphetamine in the glove box.

On April 30, 2016, a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety stopped a vehicle in Lubbock for traffic violations. Arleen Theres Keithley was the driver, and Crystal Ann Alaniz was the passenger. Keithley was arrested for driving with an invalid license, and Alaniz was placed under arrest for several outstanding warrants.

When searched, Alaniz was found to be in possession of two plastic bags containing 54.93 grams of methamphetamine. The Lubbock Police Department, the Littlefield Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted the defendants.

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