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Press Release

Federal Jury Convicts San Angelo Man for Role in Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas
Defendant Faces Mandatory Life Sentence

LUBBOCK, Texas —  Late yesterday, following a one-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, a federal jury convicted Richard Jasso, 39, of San Angelo, Texas, on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

The government filed a notice of enhancement because Jasso has two previous “felony drug offenses.”  If the Court finds those convictions are final and valid, then, by statute, the Court must impose a life sentence, without parole.  A sentencing date was not set.

Jasso has been in custody since his arrest on July 13, 2016, when numerous defendants, most from the San Angelo area, were arrested in a joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the San Angelo Police Department.  Twelve defendants, including the drug trafficking organization’s leader, Rudolfo Ledesma Castaneda, Jr., 31, were charged in an indictment with various felony offenses stemming from their respective roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in San Angelo. 

The government presented evidence at trial that Jasso delivered 54 net grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual working at the direction of the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The buy took place in San Angelo.

With Jasso’s conviction, all 12 defendants charged in the indictment have been convicted and await sentencing.  One defendant, Jesse Huerra, 31, was convicted at trial in San Angelo in September 2016 on methamphetamine distribution and firearm charges.  He faces a mandatory life sentence.

The DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Texas Department of Public Safety and the San Angelo Police Department investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag is in charge of the prosecution.

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Updated November 16, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking