Barrio Azteca Gang Member and Career Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison

EL PASO -- U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone today sentenced 40-year-old Barrio Azteca member and career offender William “Happy” Haywood of El Paso to 16 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to import and distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a person under indictment. 

On February 19, 2020, Haywood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import a controlled substance, one count of importation of a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

Judge Cardone sentenced Haywood to 15 years imprisonment on the drug charges.  She also sentenced Haywood to two years imprisonment, with one year to run consecutive to the drug case, based on a supervised release revocation for possession of a firearm by a person under indictment.  According to court records, Haywood was on supervised release for a period of three years for a federal firearms conviction when he committed the above drug offenses. 

According to court records, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Fabens Port of Entry arrested Brian Kizer, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen living in Juarez, Mexico, on May 21, 2019, while attempting to smuggle approximately three pounds of crystal methamphetamine into the U.S.   Kizer intended to deliver the methamphetamine to Haywood just as he had done on three prior occasions.  The FBI then conducted an operation culminating in a controlled delivery to Haywood at his residence.  Haywood paid Kizer about $3,600, then unsuccessfully attempted to dispose of the evidence just prior to being arrested by law enforcement.  

U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Coburn made today’s announcement.

“Today’s sentencing shows the FBI’s resolve to target individuals that are bringing methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs into the El Paso area,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Coburn.  “Today, along with our law enforcement partners, we have shown that distribution of this poisonous drug will not be tolerated and affirm our commitment in keeping our community safe.”

On the same day Haywood pleaded guilty to the charges, Judge Cardone sentenced Kizer to four years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $250 fine after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance.

The El Paso FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force investigated this case.  Task Force agencies include: FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection West Texas, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Homeland Security Investigations, El Paso Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Office of Inspector General, Socorro Police Department and the El Paso Independent School District Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg prosecuted this case.

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