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Date: 05-24-2023
Case Style:
Case Number: 2:20-cr-01357
Judge: Alia Moses
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Tulsa (Val Verde County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Del Rio
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Del Rio, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Jimmie Troy Palmer III, 32, and other co-conspirators were arrested on Aug. 1, 2020, after one of the co-conspirators, Bibiana Ira Ortiz, attempted to enter the U.S. through the Del Rio Port of Entry with 16 packages of methamphetamine hidden in her vehicle. Lab tests revealed the combined net weight of the packages contained approximately 7,864 grams of methamphetamine with a purity of 98%.
Palmer had escorted Ortiz to Piedras Negras, Mexico, where the methamphetamine was loaded into the vehicle Ortiz was driving. Palmer returned to the U.S. ahead of Ortiz, instructing her to call him upon her successful arrival in Del Rio. Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Palmer and the other co-conspirators at the motel in Del Rio, where Ortiz was expected to rejoin them. Inside Palmer’s pickup truck, agents discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, several cell phones, and approximately $9,869.06 in U.S. currency.
Palmer has been in federal custody since his arrest and pleaded guilty in July 2021. Co-defendants Ortiz, Joshua Ruben Olivencia, and David Ray Coplin have each pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
“The diligent efforts shown by both HSI and the U.S. Border Patrol in this case demonstrate their commitment to combating drug trafficking along our district’s border,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “This substantial penalty of 25 years in federal prison sends a very strong message that our judicial system does not tolerate the devastating impact illicit substances have on our communities. I am grateful to our dedicated law enforcement partners for their ongoing service in preserving the safety and well-being of our nation, and we will continue to fully prosecute these offenders.”
“As drug traffickers prey on communities, they often ignore the laws of this nation. It’s great to have the cooperation of our federal partners to aid in the arrest and prosecution of these offenders,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “Palmer’s lengthy prison sentence will be a deterrent to current and/or future drug traffickers. HSI will continue to pursue cross-border conspiracy investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley prosecuted the case.
21:846=CD.F CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(A) and 846, Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
(3s)
Outcome: Sentenced to 300 months imprisonment with credit for time served since 8/1/2020; 5 year term supervised release; fine $5,000; special assessment $100
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: