Jury Finds Clinton Man Guilty of Providing $24,000 for Cocaine Deal

MADISON, WI—John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Johnny Espinoza, 32, Clinton, Wisconsin, was convicted of aiding and abetting his brother, Jose Espinoza, in the attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, after a two-day jury trial in federal court in Madison. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour today before finding Johnny Espinoza guilty of the charge. U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb scheduled sentencing for November 26, 2013.

According to the evidence presented at the trial, on July 24, 2012, Jose Espinoza met with an undercover officer and a confidential source in Beloit, Wisconsin, to arrange the purchase five kilograms of cocaine. At this meeting, Jose Espinoza revealed that he could initially come up with only $24,000 for one kilogram of cocaine.

After Jose Espinoza viewed what he believed was five kilograms of cocaine, he left Beloit to gather the money. Later that day, Jose met with his brother, Johnny Espinoza, and together they met the undercover officer and displayed the $24,000 that Johnny Espinoza had brought to the meeting.

Jose Espinoza pleaded guilty on October 17, 2012, to attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 78 months in prison on December 18, 2012.

The charges against Jose and Johnny Espinoza are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; State Line Area Narcotics Team; and FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which consists of the Beloit Police Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie S. Pfluger and Robert A. Anderson.