Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in a Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

DALLAS — Jose Apolinar Arreola Avalos, aka “J. Apolinar Arreola Avalos, 43, a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally, was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Avalos was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in June 2017 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a schedule II controlled substance.  He was in the United States illegally at the time of the offense and will be deported after serving his sentence.  Avalos has been in custody since his arrest in March 2016.

Avalos was charged along with twenty-one others with various offenses related to a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.  Of the twenty-one charged, eighteen have pleaded guilty, five have been sentenced and three are awaiting trial.

According to documents filed in the case, between September 25, 2015 through March 18, 2016, Avalos and his coconspirators conspired to distribute methamphetamine and on several occasions discussed the preparation and conversion of liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine. 

On March 18, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Avalos’ residence, which was used to store, prepare and distribute methamphetamine.  The methamphetamine seized by law enforcement converted to approximately 63 kilograms of ice methamphetamine.  Law enforcement also seized firearms, and several thousand dollars in United States Currency.  As part of the plea agreement Avalos agreed to forfeit the items seized, including two firearms and approximately $295,000.00.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted.    

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