United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS “LOOKOUT”
FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION

DALLAS — Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle, a federal jury has convicted Carlos Joel Diaz of conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks, of the Northern District of Texas. Diaz, 20, who is a Honduran citizen in the country illegally, faces a maximum statutory sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. He 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.

The government presented evidence at trial that Diaz worked as lookout for a drug trafficking organization in Dallas, headed by Jose Banegas. Banegas was convicted in June 2007 for his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 365 months in prison. Following his release from prison, Banegas will also be referred to immigration officials for deportation.

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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