Illegal Alien Sentenced to Over 8 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

Gulfport, Miss. – Jesus Ernesto Rodriguez, 36, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to serve 103 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Homeland Secuity Investigations (HSI). Rodriguez was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.

On March 26, 2018, a U.S. Border Patrol agent attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in D’Iberville on a vehicle driven by Rodriguez’s codefendant, Jason Cooper. Cooper failed to stop and began throwing what was later determined to be methamphetamine from the driver’s side window. Cooper exited the interstate in Ocean Springs where law enforcement lost sight of the vehicle. Agents canvassed the area and located the vehicle, which was still occupied by Cooper and Rodriguez. Inside the car, agents located 78.2 grams of methamphetamine.

On April 17, 2018, Rodriguez and Cooper were charged in a federal indictment. Rodriguez pled guilty on October 15, 2018, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cooper previously pled guilty and was sentenced on November 13, 2018, to 233 months in prison.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.