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Four Texans Sentenced to Life for Murder
Midland, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, four Odessans were sentenced to life in federal prison for their role in a Permian Basin drug distribution scheme involving firearms and resulting in the murder of Sean Michael Lamb in 2014.
On April 10, 2015, jurors convicted Raymond Hernandez Olgin, Jr., 40; Rudolfo Romero Parades, 34; Stacey Louise Castillo, 40; and Anthony Ryan Gonzales, 32, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.
Liz Sanchez Hernandez, 35, and her 18-year-old son, Brian Adan Hernandez, co-defendants who pleaded guilty to related federal charges prior to jury selection, are currently serving federal prison terms. Liz Hernandez was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime, while Brian Adan Hernandez was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to the drug conspiracy charge.
The defendants were involved in the abduction and murder of Sean Michael Lamb because they suspected that Lamb and others had stolen a large amount of "crystal" methamphetamine from Liz Hernandez and her brother, 34-year-old Ruben James Hernandez.
On May 13, 2014, Odessa Police responded to a "shots fired" call in the alley behind #30 Neta Place in Odessa. There they discovered Lamb’s body with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Evidence presented during trial revealed that 35-year-old Noe Garcia Galan, accompanied by Olgin and Paredes, shot and killed Lamb for stealing the crystal methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. stated, "The senseless murder of 22-year-old Sean Lamb over a dispute about methamphetamine was the product of depraved thinking, completely out of proportion to his suspected transgression. These defendants are fully deserving of the sentences. Such anti-social conduct is unacceptable."
Noe Galan and Ruben Hernandez remain fugitives and are charged by indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.
This case serves as an example of cooperative, professional law enforcement. I would like to thank our Federal and State law enforcement partners for their vital assistance. These convictions send the message that violent crime in our City will not be tolerated. Special thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the tireless effort in seeking justice," stated Odessa Police Chief Timothy Burton.
This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the Odessa Police Department and the FBI with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., and former Assistant United States Attorney prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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