"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat
A judge sentenced a Starr County drug smuggler to time served Monday after he cooperated with federal prosecutors.
Jaime Garza Jr., 47, of Rio Grande City worked for “the Mexican cartel” in Camargo, according to the criminal complaint against him. Garza started cooperating with prosecutors in 2018, when Border Patrol agents caught him with nearly 200 pounds of marijuana.
“I’m going to sentence you to time served,” said U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey. “Which is the 33 months you’ve already served.”
The case against Garza is part of a federal investigation that methodically dismantled a major drug trafficking organization in Starr County.
Prosecutors also brought charges against a former Rio Grande City police detective and members of the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. During the investigation, an informant claimed Garza supplied the Texas Chicano Brotherhood with guns and marijuana.
Jaime Garza Jr., 47, of Rio Grande City. (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.)
Border Patrol arrested Garza in December 2018, when he attempted to drive through the Falfurrias Checkpoint with nearly 200 pounds of marijuana.
Agents with Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, interviewed Garza after his arrest.
“GARZA admitted he had been smuggling and selling large quantities of marijuana to various people and organizations for many years,” according to the criminal complaint against him. “One of his primary customers was a businessman from Rio Grande City hereinafter referred to as Unindicted Co-Conspirator 1.”
The indictment doesn’t identify “Co-Conspirator 1” by name.
“GARZA estimates he has been delivering 400-500 lbs. of marijuana per week to Unindicted Co-Conspirator 1 for the last three (3) years,” according to the criminal complaint.
The marijuana seized in December 2018 belonged to “Co-Conspirator 1,” according to Garza. He also delivered marijuana to “Co-Conspirator 2,” who owned a restaurant in Rio Grande City.
The indictment doesn’t identify “Co-Conspirator 2” by name.
“GARZA is a good friend of Unindicted Co-Conspirator 2 and knows Unindicted Co-Conspirator 2 has been purchasing at least 200 lbs. of marijuana each week for the last 2-3 years,” according to the criminal complaint.
After his arrest, Garza spent more than two years in jail. In October 2021, he asked Rainey to release him on bond.
“He has done everything honorably,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Hubert Booth said during the bond hearing. “And I trust him to be out during this period.”
Garza kept his word and returned to court Monday for sentencing.
Federal Public Defender John L. Gill, who represented Garza, asked the judge to clear the courtroom and seal the record. Rainey agreed to seal part of the hearing that addressed Garza’s cooperation with the government, but he declined to seal any other part of the proceedings.
Gill requested a sentence of time served.
“Mr. Garza had the misfortune to be born into a family of criminals,” Gill said.
When he was just 14 years old, a family member offered Garza cocaine, Gill said. He was hooked.
“Everything he did was to feed his addiction,” Gill said.
In jail, Garza quit cocaine and started to study the Bible. Gill showed the judge certificates Garza had received for Bible study courses.
“I am impressed by your studies,” Rainey said, adding that he reviewed the certificates. “I commend you for that.”
Rainey sentenced Garza to time served, along with four years on community supervision. Garza must also participate in mental health and drug treatment programs.
“Have you learned your lesson?” Rainey asked.
Garza responded: “Yes, sir.”
Texans Lives Matter
ReplyDeleteHe made money and turned on the people that fed him. He got upset that his wife was with his friend while he was locked up they knocked her up
ReplyDelete8:37 sounds like tekashi 69 lol
DeleteWhat's funny...us that all these cats act like if their willing to do 30+ years in the game. Everyone has a price. Just put their family in front of them. Then we'll see if they talk
DeleteCuernavaca, not everyone spills the beans. Abrego preferred to do life instead of cooperating. There's a documentery on him and the FBI agents working the case pretty much said that. Another example is Mochomo. The government really wanted him to take the stand on Chapo (who supposably gave him up, therefore being the reason he's going to spend the rest of his life behind bars), which would have benefitted him greatly, and he still refused. He prefered to be honorable and a man about it. Everyone knows the consequences if you get caught and he took it like a man. And to those that say your freedom is worth more, if you want to play the game, you know what you're risking. If you can't handle them, then stay on the sidelines like most people. Don't be a coward and drown other people cause you got caught and don't want to deal with the consequences. You should've thought of that before you got involved.
DeleteCuernavaca, not everyone spills the beans. Abrego preferred to do life instead of cooperating. There's a documentery on him and the FBI agents working the case pretty much said that. Another example is Mochomo. The government really wanted him to take the stand on Chapo (who supposably gave him up, therefore being the reason he's going to spend the rest of his life behind bars), which would have benefitted him greatly, and he still refused. He prefered to be honorable and a man about it. Everyone knows the consequences if you get caught and he took it like a man. And to those that say your freedom is worth more, if you want to play the game, you know what you're risking. If you can't handle that, then stay on the sidelines like most people. Don't be a coward and drown other people cause you got caught and don't want to deal with the consequences. You should've thought of that before you got involved. Man up!!!
Delete9.14 Beautifully said, not everyone lowers themselves to snitching. Your word is everything in life and coupled with your honor all that really matters in matters of love and war.
DeletePs the Beltran Leyva brothers have my respect. Both Arturo and his younger brother went out on their terms.
👍
DeletePhiladelphia has already reported 17 homicides since the beginning of 2022.
ReplyDeleteThe BLM Cartel started the new year with a bang! (Literaly).
The city of Brotherly Love SMH the BLM sicarios have turned it into a crime filled Wakanda.
Isn't italian mafia runs the shit in Philly?
Delete1020 no ya mama does.
DeleteMLK day is Monday. The BLM faithful will celebrate his day even though we align more with the thoughts of Malcolm X.
DeleteI urge all my Mexican brothers to help celebrate MLK Day.
On Monday I would recommend you research what Coretta Scott (wife)and what Ralph David Abernathy (best friend) confirmed and wrote about him.
DeleteThere is also the FBI files with recordings which show his true character. Remember he was a " pastor ".
Why would the Nation of Islam put out a hit on Malcom x ?
DeleteYou're a white supremacist troll, who clearly gets his information cherry picked for him by racist websites. You lack any understanding of your own countries history. And the fact that you would reference FBI tactics during the 50s without any shame shows YOUR true character.
Delete11:54 I will celebrate MLK, by eating Gumbo and watermelon.
DeleteThe article never mentioned which cartel Mr. Garza was connected to, but he sure rattled on everyone else.
ReplyDeleteIt clearly says the cartel in Camargo. Meaning the dominant cartel in Camargo which happens to be Los Metros/CJNG. Primito and R8s are los Buenos
DeleteHe ratted on the independent distributors this side of the border located in Rio Grande and La Rosita. His days are accounted for.
DeleteDude CDG still can't shake CDN
Delete1:54 the article did not mention the name of the cartel whatsoever.
Delete3:38 your right the article did not mention the name of the cartel, but Sosa has interjected the cartel, even though he says the article does say the name of the cartel. Sosa is drinking to much Kool aide.
DeleteStart county is full of dumbass guys like him they try to connect themselves with the valley not Laredo or San Anto.or corpitos
ReplyDeleteLaredo really those pistoleros got parked all over the state Charco R U is at war with itself and San Anto the Eme Orejon war is still going on
ReplyDeleteThe Mexican ratted! Anyone surprised?
ReplyDeleteEveryone tatts you don't have to be Mexican to tatt.
DeleteNot surprised, just disgusted. Oh, and Big Nuts N Your Mouth, you're always welcome to say that stupid racist nonsense in my face sweetheart...I promise I won't tell who scratched me while I was teaching him some respect😉
DeleteGuys like him are all over this country regardless of color everyone is a wannabe if you do the crime do the time .
ReplyDelete