Cocaine in car nets 20 years, deportation
August 1, 2009

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A Lafayette man sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for possession of cocaine faces deportation from the United States after his release.



Mario H. Zavaleta, 33, pleaded guilty to the Class A felony in May in Tippecanoe Circuit Court. Judge Don Daniel ordered Friday that Zavaleta serve 10 years on probation.

The charges stemmed from a traffic stop in February for disregarding a traffic light on Earl Avenue.

Zavaleta was found to have a suspended license. Searching his vehicle, police found 5.4 ounces of cocaine, $791 in cash and an electronic scale.

The cocaine has a current street value between $5,000 and $6,000.

Prosecutor Pat Harrington said Zavaleta also was using another person's Social Security number. He said his office is trying to track down whose number was stolen.

Harrington said authorities must now ensure that Zavaleta's conviction is not associated with the Social Security number, should that person still be living and be falsely linked to Zavaleta's criminal record.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a hold on Zavaleta, meaning he will likely be deported.

Daniel ordered that Zavaleta cannot return to the U.S. after he is deported.


http://jconline.com/article/20090801/NEWS03/908010322/