California Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DANIEL STEPHEN WRAY, a/k/a “Danny,” a/k/a “Tubs,” a/k/a “El Gordo,” age 35, a resident of Chula Vista, California, pleaded guilty on March 27, 2024 to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on October 6, 2021, at the direction of WRAY, WALTER ALVAREZ TIRADO, a drug courier, traveled from Kentucky and bound for New Orleans to deliver fifty pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of TIRADO’s vehicle in Pearl River, La. Following the stop, officers searched TIRADO’s luggage, and discovered fifty pounds of methamphetamine.

WRAY faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mansatory special assessment fee.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Financial Crimes Unit.