Father And Son Felons Sent To Prison For Ammunition And Drug Charges

LAREDO, Texas – Rolando Rubio and his father, Antonio Rubio Jr., both of Laredo, have been ordered to prison for their respective pleas to cocaine trafficking and unlawful possession of ammunition, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Both entered guilty pleas in separate indictments on Oct. 15, 2012.

Today, U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Rolando Rubio, 33, to a term of 235 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 6.1 kilograms of cocaine. At the hearing, additional information was produced including that Rubio called his mother and other family members while he was in federal detention to contact his drug buyers for additional drug sales or for money owed for prior drug sales. Another matter presented at the hearing was Rubio’s alleged membership in the Mexican Mafia prison gang. In handing down the sentence, Judge Kazen noted he was taking into account the totality of Rubio’s criminal lifestyle, including Rubio’s bragging that he was "immune from prosecution because of his last name." The comment was a reference to his defense attorney, who was Webb County District Attorney from 1989 to 2008. "The time is NOW to pay the price," Judge Kazen told Rubio upon handing him the sentence. He was further ordered to serve five years of supervised release following completion of the prison term. 

Earlier this year, visiting U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle ordered Antonio Rubio, 68, to serve 30 months in federal prison to be followed by a three-year-term of supervised release.

Rolando Rubio was arrested by federal authorities on Aug. 8, 2012, for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. On the evening of his arrest, and while at the Webb County Jail, Rubio telephoned family members and informed them he had hidden cocaine in his parent’s home. Agents conducted a search which resulted in the discovery of 6.1 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a back room of his parent’s home, some of which had already been pre-packaged and sorted according to weight by Rubio for street level distribution.  

Antonio Rubio Jr. entered a guilty plea to unlawful possession of ammunition. He had been arrested following an investigation into his illegal actions related to drug trafficking and firearm offenses. Upon his arrest, a firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found in his home.

Both men have remained in custody since their arrests.

The investigation leading to the charges in these cases was conducted by the Laredo Police Department Narcotics Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and the Webb County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the cases.