Houston man pleads guilty to distributing cocaine

LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Houston man pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine after the drug was found in his car.

Isidro Badillo, 22, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to the guilty plea, Lake Charles police stopped Badillo’s vehicle August 8, 2016 on Interstate 10. Police searched the vehicle and found 5 kilograms of powder cocaine in the trunk. Badillo knew of the cocaine and said he was driving to an unspecified location outside of New Orleans for delivery and later distribution.

Badillo faces 10 years to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. The court set sentencing for October 11, 2017.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake Charles Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Rossetti is prosecuting the case.