Press Release
Mexican National Sentenced for Racketeering
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 44-year-old Nuevo Laredo, Mexico man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking related violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.
Hugo Alberto Macias-Garcia pleaded guilty on May 23, 2016, to interstate transportation in aid of racketeering and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Garcia was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of approximately $47,000 cash.
According to information presented in court, on July 12, 2015, Garcia was stopped by patrol officers for traffic violations while traveling westbound on IH-10 in Beaumont. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately $52,000 is cash hidden inside a tool box. The cash was separated into bundles and stored in plastic bags consistent with methods used in drug trafficking organizations. Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2016 and charged with drug trafficking violations.
Garcia was ordered to be deported upon release from federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Rawls.
Updated September 1, 2016
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component