News Release [printer-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2009
For Information Contact,
Special Agent Ramona Sanchez
Public Information Officer
(602) 664-5725

MAR 25-- PHOENIX – Larry Pablo, 28, of Sells, Ariz., and Jesus Martinez, 30, of Sinaloa, Mexico, were sentenced to federal prison yesterday by U.S. District  Judge Mary H. Murguia.  Pablo was sentenced to 41 months in prison and Martinez to 18 months after each pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 kilograms or more of Marijuana.

On April 30, 2008, U.S. Border Patrol agents ran a check of a pickup truck on a rural road near Casa Grande, Ariz.  Agents learned that the truck was stolen and attempted to stop it.  The driver of the truck, Pablo, sped away from agents and drove off the road.  The truck crashed through a barbed wire fence and into a saguaro cactus. Due to the force of the crash, an arm of the cactus crashed through the windshield of the truck, pinning Pablo in the driver’s seat. His passengers, Martinez and an uncharged juvenile, fled on foot. Agents tracked down Martinez and a search of the truck revealed five backpacks containing 80-100 kilograms of marijuana.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution was handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

# # #