Lubbock Meth Kingpins Get Life Sentences

LUBBOCK — Two drug kingpins from Lubbock, Texas, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms in federal court. Jonathan Lovato, 34, and Crystal Ann Alaniz, 33, were both handed down sentences today by Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, as announced by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Lovato was sentenced to two consecutive 480-month prison terms for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Alaniz received a 60-month sentence. Both defendants pleaded guilty in November 2016 to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. Lovato also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The investigation into Lovato began on March 17, 2016, when Lubbock Police Department officers conducted an undercover operation resulting in a high-speed chase that ended with the death of one innocent bystander. During the pursuit, Lovato was found to be in possession of a firearm and a significant amount of methamphetamine.

On April 30, 2016, Arleen Theres Keithley, 36, Juan Carlos Lara-Ochoa, 24, and Jose Alberto Cibrian, 41, were arrested for their roles in the conspiracy. They have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. According to court documents, Keithley attempted to hide methamphetamine in her bra during a traffic stop.

The investigation was conducted by the Lubbock Police Department, Littlefield Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted the case.