Pleasant Grove couple sentenced for federal drug trafficking conspiracy

SHERMAN, Texas – A Pleasant Grove couple has received lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Holly Candice Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on August 27, 2025.

Ricardo Ruiz, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 376 months in federal prison by Judge Mazzant on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, Ruiz and his wife, Lopez, were leaders in a drug trafficking organization in Pleasant Grove, distributing kilogram quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  The couple used at least five stash houses in the area to store and distribute illegal narcotics that were imported into the United States from Mexico.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Dallas Police Department, Mesquite Police Department, McKinney Police Department, Rowlett Police Department, Lewisville Police Department, and Denton County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. Morris.

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