Amarillo Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 121 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing More Than 17,000 Grams of Heroin

AMARILLO, Texas — Jose Emmanuel Morales Rittingger, 29, was sentenced this morning before U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 121 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 17,000 grams of heroin, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Rittingger pleaded guilty in March 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and has been in custody since the time of his arrest in August 2016. Rittingger is a Mexican citizen and was in the United States illegally at the time of the offense. He will be deported after serving his sentence.

Co-defendant Joel Lara Merida, 31, was sentenced earlier this year by U.S. District Judge Fitzwater to 51 months in federal prison. Merida pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and aiding and abetting in November 2016.

“It is imperative that we reduce the supply of heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “Drug overdose deaths involving heroin continue to climb sharply, more than tripling in the last four years.”

According to documents filed in the case, on August 15, 2016, a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper stopped a 1995 BMW for driving in the left lane when not passing and obstructed view through the windshield. Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Merida, and the passenger, who was later identified as Rittingger, the Trooper noticed indicators of possible criminal activity. The Trooper asked Merida for consent to search the vehicle and Merida voluntarily consented to the search. Eighteen bundles in an aftermarket compartment under the back seat were located. There were nine bundles wrapped in black tape, four bundles were wrapped in cellophane, and five bundles were wrapped in silver tape. The heroin had a gross weight of 44.26 pounds and field tested positive for the presence of heroin.

Subsequent testing confirmed that the substance seized was, in fact, heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, with a net weight of approximately 17,388 grams.

The case was investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Frausto and Sean Taylor prosecuted.

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