McAllen Man Sent to Federal Prison for Brokering Cocaine Transaction in Chicago

McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old McAllen man has been sentenced following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and being unlawfully present in the country, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Levi Galvan-Galvan pleaded guilty Sept. 12, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa sentenced Galvan-Galvan to 60 months in prison for both offenses. In handing down the sentence, the court took into consideration Galvan-Galvan’s role in coordinating a drug transaction between co-conspirators and that he committed the offense after a prior conviction for possession of drugs in 2009. As an illegal alien, Galvan-Galvan is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

Galvan-Galvan admitted to brokering a one kilogram cocaine transaction between a supplier in Mexico and a distributor in Chicago, Illinois. On Oct. 21, 2015, Galvan-Galvan coordinated the delivery of cocaine from a supplier in Mexico to a buyer in Chicago from his residence in McAllen by phone. Once delivered to the buyer in Chicago, law enforcement was able to seize the cocaine and arrest the buyer and two others. Galvan-Galvan was to receive payment via Western Union from the buyer in Chicago.

The illegal transaction not only led to this sentencing, but also the arrest and prosecution of three individuals in the Northern District of Illinois.

Galvan-Galvan will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation known as Operation Red-Eye. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Juan F. Alanis is prosecuting the case.