Panhandle Residents Sentenced for Their Roles in a Drug Distribution Organization
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 05, 2012 |
AMARILLO, TX—The eighth and final defendant, who was convicted for his role in a drug distribution organization that operated in the Texas panhandle, was sentenced today in federal court in Amarillo by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson. Judge Robinson sentenced Datra Chevalier Johnson, 27, formerly of Amarillo, to 33 months in federal prison and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
The eight defendants convicted were sentenced as follows:
- Victor Manuel Chavez, Jr., 27, Dumas, 130 months
- Carlos Martin Gonzales, 26, Dumas, 27 months
- Datra Chevalier Johnson, 27, formerly of Amarillo, 33 months
- Olen Clyde Cargill, II, 36, formerly of Dumas, 33 months
- Cosme Chavez, 48, Dumas, 15 months
- Sergio Ruben Ramirez, 43, Dumas, 55 months
- Carlos Carrasco, 41, Borger, 12 months
- Jose Elias Orozco, 49, Dumas, 21 months
The investigation involved numerous undercover purchases involving significant quantities of cocaine, as well as quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana and large sums of cash. In fact, when search warrants were executed during the investigation, law enforcement seized high-end vehicles, $10,000 in cash and approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
In addition to the sentences imposed, some of the defendants were ordered to forfeit real estate, vehicles, and/or firearms.
The investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Amarillo and Dumas Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Vicki Lamberson was in charge of the prosecution.