United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

“LOOKOUT” FOR A DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION
IS SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

DALLAS — Carlos Joel Diaz, 20, a Honduran citizen in the country illegally, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 121 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Diaz has been in custody since his arrest in June 2009 on charges outlined in a federal indictment. Following his incarceration, he will be referred to immigration officials for deportation.

A federal jury convicted Diaz in January 2010, following a three-day trial. At trial the government presented evidence that Diaz worked as lookout for a drug trafficking organization in Dallas. Further evidence was presented at trial that on April 18, 2007, undercover agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a controlled delivery of 1035 pounds of marijuana with Diaz acting as a lookout while his co-conspirators unloaded the drugs from an 18-wheeler. Diaz was supposed to help transport the drugs to a “stash house” after the drugs had been unloaded, however, the DEA and the Dallas Police Department moved in and seized the drugs before they could be transported.

The case was investigated by the DEA and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary C. Tromblay was in charge of the prosecution.

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