United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 17 YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE, FOR
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE

DALLAS – Daniel Martinez, 28, was sentenced today by U.S. Chief District Judge A. Joe Fish, to 210 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Martinez, a resident of Dallas, pled guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in the case, from August 2004 through mid-April 2006, Martinez conspired with co-defendants Juan David Ortiz, Rudolpho Gonzales, and others, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Martinez would purchase for resale up to one-half pound of methamphetamine every other day from an individual named Guadalupe Rodriguez. Martinez, a member of the Tango Blast gang, admitted that during the conspiracy, he conspired with Rodriguez and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Guadalupe Rodriguez, charged in a related case, pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced in May to 387 months in prison.

Martinez admitted that during the course of his participation in the conspiracy, the drug trafficking organization distributed more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and that he possessed at least two firearms in connection with his drug trade.

Co-defendants Juan David Ortiz and Rudolpho Gonzales each pled guilty earlier this year. Ortiz pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and Gonzales pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Ortiz, 27, was sentenced earlier this month to 151 months in prison. Gonzales, 34, is scheduled to be sentenced in November.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative work of the North Texas HIDTA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dallas Police Department Gang Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan A. Konig.

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