San Angelo Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A San Angelo, Texas, man, Mateo Raymond Flores, III, aka “Lawrence Flores,” “Arturo Flores,” “Rogelio Cadena,” “Gordo,” “Mr. G,” 49, was sentenced last week to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, following his guilty plea in November 2017 to an indictment charging one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas made the announcement today.

Flores, who was a fugitive on state charges and living in Mexico at the time of indictment, was charged in a July 2017 federal indictment along with codefendants, Romelia Flores, 47, Pablo Cantu Hernandez, 61, Mario Moreno, Jr., 39, and Shelly Brannon Fowler, 51. All defendants pleaded guilty to their roles. Judge Cummings previously sentenced Hernandez to 235 months in federal prison, Moreno to 151 months in federal prison and Fowler to 188 months in federal prison.  Romelia Flores is awaiting sentencing.

According to the plea agreement factual resume, Flores was identified as a source of supply of methamphetamine in the San Angelo area. Flores used the residence of Hernandez as a storage location for his methamphetamine.

On April 26, 2016, a state search warrant was executed at the San Angelo residence of Hernandez. Hernandez admitted that he was storing methamphetamine for Flores. Investigators seized approximately 2.89 pounds of methamphetamine. Hernandez stated that he had stored and distributed approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine for Flores for the past three years at his residence, collected drug proceeds and sent them to Flores in Mexico.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Juanita Fielden prosecuted the case.

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