Texas Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose Saul Delira, 49, of McAllen, Texas, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 17 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine, and unspecified amounts of cocaine and marijuana, with a prior serious drug felony conviction.  Following his release from prison, Delira will serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Information provided to law enforcement indicated between August of 2020 and February of 2021, Delira was a member of a conspiracy to obtain methamphetamine and other drugs in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, for transport to the Lincoln, Nebraska, area for resale.  Delira introduced Lincoln residents to drug sources in Mexico and assisted with efforts to transport drugs from source locations to Lincoln. 

In November of 2020, Delira was staying in Lincoln at the residence of another person involved in the drug trafficking organization. A search warrant was executed at that residence.  During the search, investigators found more than 1/3 of a pound of methamphetamine, approximately one ounce of cocaine, four pounds of marijuana, assorted pills, firearms, and drug packaging materials.

Delira had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nebraska.  He was sentenced to 188 months in prison in that case in April of 2005.

Delira’s co-defendant, Richard Garza, is scheduled for trial in August of 2023.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.