MAN EXTRADITED FROM MEXICO CITY TO PLEADS GUILTY TO METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING

(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – Sergio Orozco-Barajas, a Mexican citizen extradited to the United States in early May 2009, has pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. The case against Orozco-Barajas is a result of the efforts of a multi-agency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.

Orozco-Barajas was charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on March 26, 2008.  Orozco-Barajas was charged along with his wife, Caroline Manzo-Navarro, and Francisco Villanueva-Navarro, both citizens of Mexico. Manzo-Navarro and Villaneuva-Navarro have entered pleas of guilty and are awaiting sentencing in federal court. Orozco-Barajas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Based upon the amount of the alleged methamphetamine involved, Orozco-Barajas faces no less than 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment and a $4 million fine at sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, who accepted Orozco-Barajas’ guilty plea, has set sentencing for 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2009. The defendant remains in federal custody without bond pending that hearing.

The investigation leading to the criminal charges was conducted through OCDETF in Corpus Christi lead by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations and the United States Marshals Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie Hampton.

 

 

 

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