Roberto Meza, RICO Conspiracy, Texas 2015

El Paso Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for RICO Conspiracy

EL PASO, TX - Roberto Meza, a 40-year-old member of the Barrio Azteca gang, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for his role in a racketeering enterprise in El Paso, Texas. Meza, who was the 17th and final defendant to be sentenced as a result of this investigation, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and money laundering.

According to court records, from August 1, 2010, to September 10, 2014, the members of this organization conducted their affairs through a pattern of racketeering to include murder, attempted murder, extortion, assault, and drug trafficking. Meza's sentence was handed down in a federal court in El Paso on August 21, 2015.

The investigation into the Barrio Azteca gang was a joint effort between the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other local law enforcement agencies. The case resulted in the sentencing of 17 defendants, including Meza, to a combined total of over 2,000 years in federal prison.

As a result of these sentencings, the Barrio Azteca criminal enterprise was held accountable for three gang-related murders and the principal Barrio Azteca leaders were removed from the streets of El Paso. The FBI will continue to investigate criminal enterprise groups in the El Paso Area of Responsibility to maintain safety in the community, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist.

The sentencing of Meza and the other defendants in this case is a significant blow to the Barrio Azteca gang and a testament to the effectiveness of law enforcement's efforts to combat organized crime in the El Paso area. The case serves as a reminder that law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to protect the community from violent and organized crime.

Roberto Meza, 40, of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for his role in a racketeering enterprise. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and money laundering charges. Meza was the 17th and final defendant to be sentenced as a result of this investigation.

Other defendants sentenced in this investigation include:

• Juan Pablo Espino, age 38 - sentenced to 299 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and money laundering charges;
• Fernando Madrid, age 42 - sentenced to 110 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Raul Lopez, age 35 - sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Manuel Minjares, age 55 - sentenced to 300 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Eugene Lozano, age 44 - sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Rigoberto Alvarado-Mendez, age 42 - sentenced to 90 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Gabriel Aldana, age 44 - sentenced to 90 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Richard Rene Espino, age 35 - sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Christopher Ytuarte, age 42 - sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and money laundering charges;
• Rito Miguel Alvarez, age 37 - sentenced to 240 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Ramon Sanchez, age 49 - sentenced to 120 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Hector Bernal, age 46 - sentenced to 110 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Jose Angel Barrios, age 45 - sentenced to 240 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and Murder in Aid of Racketeering charges;
• Eddie Mendoza, age 32 - sentenced to 110 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge;
• Barbara Rodriguez, age 36 - sentenced to one year imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and drug distribution conspiracy charges;
• Juan Carlos Nunez, age 24 - sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy charge.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/final-barrio-azteca-member-el-paso-sentenced-federal-prison-rico-drug-trafficking-and