Convicted Central Texas Drug Dealer Sentenced To Life In Prison
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Convicted Central Texas Drug Dealer Sentenced To Life In Prison
A 40-year-old Central Texas man was sentenced to life in federal prison Monday and three co-defendants were sentenced to shorter terms for their roles in a four-year conspiracy to smuggle cocaine from Mexico.
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(April 14, 2008)—Trini Lopez Espinoza, 40, of Waco was sentenced to life in federal prison Monday for conspiracy to distribute at least 150 kilograms of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton said.

Espinoza’s co-defendants, Rosemary Trujillo Rangel, 56, of Waco, Patricio Nevarez, 28, of Waco and Jasen Cervantez, 31, of Waco, were sentenced to shorter terms.

Rangel faces 20 years in prison.

Nevarez and Cervantez received sentences of 15 years, 8 months.

Federal District Judge Walter Smith also ordered each defendant be placed on supervised release after the completion of the sentences.

All four of the defendants pleaded guilty to cocaine distribution charges in December.

“By pleading guilty, Espinoza, Rangel and Cervantez admitted to participating in an conspiracy from 2003 to February 2007 that was responsible for using automobiles to smuggle cocaine into the United States from Mexico for distribution in Waco as well as other Texas cities along the Interstate 35 corridor,” Sutton said.

Nevarez pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.

It was proven at sentencing, Sutton said, that he also participated in the drug organization.

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