Jury Convicts Mission Man In Marijuana Conspiracy

McALLEN, Texas – A federal jury in McAllen has convicted Rogelio Guerrero, 50, a U.S. citizen residing in Mission, on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute large amounts of marijuana, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The jury returned its verdict late this morning following a three-day trial and less than four hours of deliberation.

During the trial, the government presented testimony that Guerrero and his associates utilized tractor-trailers to transport large quantities of marijuana from Mission to Houston. The jury heard that Guerrero’s drivers transported between 3,000-5,000 pounds of marijuana to Houston every few weeks. The government also presented evidence that Guerrero owned nearly 10,000 pounds of marijuana that was seized in 2011.    

He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for Sept. 25, 2014. At that time, Guerrero faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment as well as a possible $10 million fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Guerrero’s conviction is a culmination of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation dubbed “White Line.” The six-year investigation, targeting Guerrero and other significant drug traffickers based in Mission, was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Mission Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

To date, there have been approximately 20 other convictions in relation to the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jesse Salazar and Robert Wells are prosecuting.