Houston Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Meth Possession and Distribution Charges

LAKE CHARLES, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Ricky Martinez, 44, of Houston, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Martinez pleaded guilty August 7, 2013.

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 that he had an open beer container. After the deputy conducted a safety pat-down, $10,540 was found in Martinez’s pants pocket. During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found 10 plastic baggies containing more than 265 grams of methamphetamine, a baggie containing a cutting agent, and a digital scale. Martinez admitted at the guilty plea hearing that he intended to deliver the methamphetamine to other people.

Anthony Frederick “Tony” Giaimis, 49, 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, of conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession of more than five grams of pure methamphetamine, and felony weapon possession. Giamis was sentenced on August 1, 2013, to 262 months in prison and six years of supervised release. 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.

“Methamphetamine is a harmful and destructive drug,” Finely stated. “Our office, along with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to do everything in our power to keep these drugs out of our communities.”

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 Southwest Regional Laboratory conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.