James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS ELLIS COUNTY, TEXAS, MOM
IN COCAINE TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

DALLAS — Following a three-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, a federal jury in Dallas convicted Teresa Castillo, 49, of Ennis, Texas, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. After the verdict was read, Judge Fitzwater remanded Castillo, who had been on a bond, to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. She faces not less than five nor more than 40 years in prison and up to a $2 million fine. Sentencing is set for July 2, 2009.

Teresa Castillo and seven other members of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy were arrested in May 2008 on an indictment charging that from January 1, 2006, through March 23, 2007, they conspired to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The jury also agreed that Castillo should forfeit two parcels of real estate in Ennis.

Seven members of the conspiracy, including Teresa Castillo’s two sons, Rene and Nicholas Castillo, have pled guilty to their involvement in the conspiracy. Six of the seven have been sentenced:

Rene Castillo, 27, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 122 months)
Nicholas Castillo, 28, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 87 months)
Heidi Royball, 25, of Palmer, Texas (to be sentenced May 15, 2009)
Richie Ovis, 21, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 30 months)
Will Hodges, 34, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 60 months)
Claudio Flores, 33, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 30 months)
Ramon Ornealas, a/k/a “Smokey,” 28, of Ennis, Texas (sentenced to 84 months)

The Castillo drug trafficking organization, which was dismantled by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) unit, was involved in the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine in Ennis, Texas, just south of Dallas, and other locations.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jacks praised the excellent investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Waxahachie Police Department, Ennis Police Department, Ellis County District Attorney’s Office, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Guess and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hector M. Valle are prosecuting the case.

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