Federal Jury Convicts 2 Drug Traffickers

Last Update: 2:16 pm

McALLEN – A federal jury has convicted two Mexican nationals of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced Wednesday.

Mexican nationals Jesus Gonzalez Hinojosa, 31, and Jose Vielma Garcia, 32, were found guilty Tuesday by a McAllen jury of both offenses after approximately 30 minutes of deliberation and following a two-day trial. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has set Gonzalez and Vielma for sentencing Sept. 6.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Gonzalez and Vielma were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents following a short chase during the early evening hours Jan. 25 as they fled from a ranch in El Sauz. Approximately 2,782 kilograms of marijuana valued at more than $4.8 million were discovered.

U.S. Border Patrol agents testified that surveillance was established around the ranch, which was a suspected stash location for marijuana. Agents saw Vielma and Gonzalez, who were passengers in a pickup, entering the ranch. Gonzalez and Vielma were dropped off near four piles of bundled marijuana then left the ranch. Vielma and Gonzalez then walked toward the bundles but fled on foot when Border Patrol agents approached and identified themselves. After a short chase, Gonzalez and Vielma were apprehended and the contraband seized.

At the time of their apprehension, both defendants claimed to be undocumented aliens bound for Houston. However, the jury heard that at the time both defendants were seen by Border Patrol agents, they were walking toward the border, not away from it, and both defendants had substantial familial ties to the area and lived in well-furnished homes about six miles from the ranch. Additionally, both men had prior records for possessing marijuana and importing marijuana.

Gonzalez, who is a Roma resident, faces a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison, along with a potential fine as much as $10 million. Vielma, also a Roma resident, faces no less than 20 years and as much as a life sentence imprisonment on each of the two counts of conviction because of a prior federal drug conviction, along with a potential fine as much as $20 million. Each will also have to serve a term of supervised release. For Gonzalez, that term is at least five years, and for Vielma, that term is at least 10 years.

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