LAKE CHARLES, LA—A Houston man was sentenced last week to 154 months in prison for robbing from a Roanoke drug trafficker, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.

Francisco Javier Camacho, 42, of Houston, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to 70 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and 84 months for one count of use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence with the prison terms to be served consecutively. He is also to serve five years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented at the November 1, 2012 guilty plea, Camacho and an accomplice, Cruz Martinez-Encinas, visited the home of a known drug trafficker on February 15, 2011 in Roanoke, La., saying they wanted to sell marijuana. Instead of selling illegal drugs, the two men robbed the drug trafficker, stealing three guns and $7,500 in cash. Camacho and Martinez-Encinas tied up the drug trafficker and a female who was present at the home. They then fled the scene. The two were able to free themselves, and the drug trafficker followed the two men onto Interstate 10. While chasing the men by car in between the Welsh, La., and Roanoke exits, the drug trafficker rammed the back of the car that Camacho was traveling in, which caused Camacho’s vehicle to run off the road and crash. Camacho and Martinez-Encinas exited the vehicle and ran north. They were later arrested. While in pursuit, law enforcement found four semi-automatic pistols. They also found $7,500 on Camacho when he was apprehended.

Martinez-Encinas pleaded guilty September 1, 2011. He was sentenced to 65 months in prison for possession of a stolen firearm and 65 months in prison for interference with commerce by robbery. He was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release for each count. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

The FBI, ATF and the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Mickel prosecuted the case.