Texas Drug Courier Sentenced for Federal Narcotics Trafficking

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BRISSA ORTIZ (“ORTIZ”), age 19, a resident of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced on October 22, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry to 21 months imprisonment, a one-year term of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to Misprision of a Felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4.

According to court documents, ORTIZ was aware that her brother had conspired to distribute a large amount of cocaine across the country. She also concealed his involvement in this conspiracy and did not notify law enforcement authorities of this crime. Specifically, ORTIZ and her brother were travelling through Louisiana on I-12, when they were pulled over by the Louisiana State Police on a traffic violation.  During this stop, the vehicle was searched, and   Troopers located approximately ten kilograms of cocaine hidden in secret compartments throughout the vehicle.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police.  This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit.