Members of a large drug trafficking group, the Simon Chavez Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), based in the Texas Panhandle received lengthy federal prison sentences on April 2. According to court documents obtained by Breitbart Texas, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) sting resulted in the seizure of large amounts of methamphetamine, three vehicles, and over $300,000 cash.
Simon Orlando Chavez Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of methamphetamine, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) press release.
An indictment obtained by Breitbart Texas stated that Chavez possessed 50 grams of meth with the intent to distribute.
According to a plea agreement, the federal government agreed to not bring any additional charges against Chavez. The document also stated, “At sentencing, the government will move to dismiss the remaining counts of the superseding indictments as to Chavez.” In return, Chavez consented to full cooperation with law enforcement and disclosing the complete truth.
Chavez led numerous people in his DTO, and ICE claimed that 11 of them were also sentenced recently. According to the press release, the following individuals were sentenced for the same charges as Chavez: Jose Luis Lara-Sosa, 87 months; Jose Montemayor, 87 months; Sammy Chavez, 121 months; Antonio Rosa, 51 months; Ruben Deleon, 71 months; Anthony Deleon, 57 months.
Five others, also implicated in the DTO, were sentenced for various other offenses.
U.S. Attorney Saldaña, who announced the sentencing, said, “Targeting drug organizations that have infiltrated north Texas and jeopardized the safety and security of our communities continues to be a priority in this district.”
Dallas-based Special Agent Daniel R. Salter added, “The convictions of Simon Orlando Chavez Jr. and his co-conspirators are indicative of DEA’s continued commitment to fully identify, investigate and bring to justice drug trafficking organizations determined to make a living on the backs of addiction.”
A spokesman from the Lubbock Police Department told Breitbart Texas that large-scale drug busts are relatively uncommon in the area. Officials said they could not comment further on Chavez’s specific case.
Chavez Indictment by BreitbartTexas
Chavez Indictment by BreitbartTexas
Follow Kristin Tate on Twitter @KristinBTate
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