Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Possession and Distribution Charge

LAKE CHARLES, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ricky Martinez, 43, of Houston, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy stopped the defendant on February 13, 2012 for speeding north of Lake Charles. The deputy asked Martinez to step out of the vehicle and saw he had an open beer. The deputy searched Martinez and found $10,540. After searching the vehicle, the deputy found 10 plastic baggies containing suspected methamphetamine, a baggie containing a cutting agent, and a digital scale. The DEA Regional Laboratory in Dallas later confirmed the 10 baggies contained a total of 265.8 grams of pure or actual methamphetamine.

Martinez faces up to 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release. A sentencing date of Nov. 7, 2013 was set.

Anthony Frederick “Tony” Giaimis, 48, of Westlake, Louisiana, and Justin W. Brewer, 42, of Houston, were also charged in the same indictment with Martinez in August 2012.

A jury found Giaimis guilty on April 10, 2013 after a three-day trial to three counts related to the case. He was sentenced August 1, 2013 to 262 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, 262 months in prison and four years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and 262 months in prison and six years of supervised release for felony weapon possession. He is serving the prison and supervised release terms for all three counts concurrently.

Brewer was sentenced on July 25, 2013 to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty on April 8, 2013.

The Westlake Police Department, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Combined Anti-Drug Team (CAT) Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel is prosecuting the case.