Federal Prison Sentences Handed Down to Odessa La Familia Motorcycle Club Members for Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy in Permian Basin

In Midland, eight Odessa LaFamila Motorcycle Club members have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine trafficking operation announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division. 

Yesterday afternoon, United States District Judge Robert A. Junell sentenced 31–year-old Ruben Rodriguez, Jr. and 23--year-old Nicholas Dominguez Rodriguez to 151 months and 120 months in federal prison, respectively.  Judge Junell also ordered that Ruben Rodriguez, Jr., pay a $10,000 fine.  Previously, Judge Junell sentenced six other defendants as follows:

• Paul Reyes Rodriguez, age 36, to 188 months in federal prison;
• Patrick Amalio Carrillo, age 27, to 120 months in federal prison and a fine of $5,000;
• Roy Christopher Rodriguez, age 28, to 120 months in federal prison and a fine of $5,000;

• Arturo Brandon Campos, age 24, to 57 months in federal prison and a fine of $5,000;

• Renato Souza Paz, age 32, to 60 months in federal prison; and,

• Ryan Frausto, age 30, to 33 months in federal prison and a fine of $5,000.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Junell ordered that all of the defendants be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing their respective prison terms.  The Government also received forfeiture of various criminal proceeds derived from the defendants’ scheme including: an Odessa residence in the 1600 block of Sam Houston Avenue, three motorcycles, two cars, and approximately $195,000 in U.S. Currency seized by authorities during this operation.  

All of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  By pleading guilty, the defendants admitted participating in a scheme which resulted in the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine between August 2014 and May 2016. 

“The convictions and sentences of these La Familia Motorcycle Club members demonstrates the continued cooperation between the FBI and our federal, state and local partners to protect the citizens in the Midland/Odessa area,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist, El Paso Division.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force comprised of the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Odessa Police Department, Midland Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office. Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney V. LaTawn Warsaw prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

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