Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEONEL GONZALEZ, age 40, a resident of Houston, Texas, pled guilty on July 12, 2023 to a one-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a  a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on five occasions between May 25, 2020, and July 2, 2020, GONZALEZ distributed kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to a methamphetamine dealer who then redistributed the drugs in the Eastern District of Louisiana. 

For the conspiracy count, GONZALEZ faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

This case was investigated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.