United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 151 MONTHS
IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE, FOR
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE METHAMPHETAMINE

DALLAS – Juan David Ortiz, 27, was sentenced today by U.S. Senior District Judge A. Joe Fish, to 151 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Ortiz, who recently resided in both Dallas and Grand Prairie, Texas, pled guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in the case, from August 2004 through mid-April, 2006, Ortiz conspired with co-defendants Daniel Martinez and Rudolpho Gonzales, and others, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Ortiz, a member of the Tango Blast gang, admitted that during the conspiracy, the organization sold no less than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, and that in furtherance of the conspiracy, some co-conspirators possessed firearms.

Co-defendants Daniel Martinez and Rudolpho Gonzales each pled guilty in March. Martinez 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. Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2007 and Gonzales on November 16, 2007.

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 Konig.

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