April 1, 2015

Two Men Sentenced on Federal Drug Charges

TYLER, TX—A Tyler resident, along with his Houston co-conspirator, have been sentenced to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Juan Gutierrez-Mojica, 44, of Tyler, was sentenced to 180 months for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and money laundering during an appearance before United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider. His co-conspirator, Norberto Pineda, 41, of Houston, was sentenced to 70 months for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering.

Gutierrez-Mojica and Pineda were indicted along with 16 co-defendants on April 23, 2014. According to information presented in court, the conspiracy involved the transportation of multiple kilograms of cocaine from Houston to individuals in Longview and Tyler. Gutierrez-Mojica also acquired methamphetamine and cocaine from suppliers in Dallas and Houston, which he then distributed. In addition to their illicit drug conspiracy activities, the pair utilized a bank account to deposit proceeds from the sale of drugs. Gutierrez-Mojica entered a guilty plea on October 14, 2014. Pineda pleaded guilty on November 4, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.