Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison

LUBBOCK — Orlando Juarez Cardenas, 41, of San Angelo, was sentenced today before Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 27 years in federal prison for the distribution of methamphetamine in San Angelo, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Cardenas pleaded guilty in March 2017 to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cardenas has been in custody since his arrest in January 2017.

According to plea documents filed in the case, on January 23, 2017, Cardenas contacted an individual and requested a meeting with him. During this meeting, Cardenas gave the individual $7,580 as buy money for methamphetamine that would be purchased in the Dallas area. The individual was advised to go to a location in Grand Prairie, Texas. This is the same meeting place where Cardenas has personally picked up drugs in the past. The individual was further advised to follow a Black Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima stopped on a neighborhood street and a female got out of the vehicle and provided a designer department store bag in exchange for the $7,580 provided by Cardenas.

Inside the designer department store bag was 2,030 grams of methamphetamine, divided into two separate plastic baggies. Cardenas intended to repackage the methamphetamine and sell it to his clients in San Angelo and the surrounding area.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division, and the San Angelo Police Department, Street Crimes Division investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Lorfing was in charge of the prosecution.

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