Defendant sentenced to 10 years in prison for cocaine, methamphetamine conspiracy

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Jose Gabriel Mendez was sentenced Monday to 120 months in prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than $1.5 million worth of cocaine and $75,000 worth of methamphetamine.

Jose Gabriel Mendez, 35, a Guatemalan citizen living in Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to a total of 120 months in prison for his conviction of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. A federal jury found the defendant guilty after a two-day trial that ended on March 11, 2015 with the jury returning the guilty verdict after deliberating for approximately two hours.  Evidence admitted at trial showed that law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop on October 15, 2014, of a 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup truck Mendez was driving.  Further investigation by the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force (CAT) revealed 516 grams of methamphetamine and 15 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the four door panels and tire jack compartment of the truck.

The DEA and Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Joseph and Howard C. Parker prosecuted the case.