August 6, 2015

Four Odessans Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison in Connection with a Homicide

In Midland this morning, United States District Judge Robert A. Junell sentenced four Odessa residents to life in federal prison for their role in a Permian Basin drug distribution scheme involving firearms and resulting in 2014 murder of Sean Michael Lamb announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Douglas E. Lindquist and Odessa Police Chief Timothy Burton.

On April 10, 2015, jurors convicted 40-year-old Raymond Hernandez Olgin, Jr., 34–year-old Rudolfo Romero Parades, 40-year-old Stacey Louise Castillo and 32–year-old Anthony Ryan Gonzales of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.

Liz Sanchez Hernandez, age 35, and her 18-year-old son, Brian Adan Hernandez, co-defendants who pleaded guilty to related federal charges prior to jury selection, are currently serving federal prison terms. On July 2, 2015, Liz Hernandez was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime. On the same day, Brian Adan Hernandez was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to the drug conspiracy charge. Judge Junell also ordered all of the defendants to jointly and severally pay $5,861 restitution.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that the defendants were involved in the abduction and murder of Sean Michael Lamb because they suspected that Lamb and others had stolen a large amount of “crystal” methamphetamine from Liz Hernandez and her brother, 34-year-old Ruben James Hernandez.

On May 13, 2014, Odessa Police responded to a “shots fired” call in the alley behind #30 Neta Place in Odessa. There they discovered Lamb’s body with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Evidence presented during trial revealed that 35–year-old Noe Garcia Galan, accompanied by Olgin and Paredes, shot and killed Lamb for stealing the crystal methamphetamine. Jurors found this act to be a first degree premeditated murder.

Testimony during trial revealed that Castillo not only participated in the drug distribution operation as well as the murder of Lamb, but on the evening of May 14, 2014, she and Gonzales drove Ruben Hernandez to the international border in Presidio, TX, so he could escape into Mexico in exchange for an introduction to a narcotics supplier she could use in the future.

“The senseless murder of 22-year-old Sean Lamb over a dispute about methamphetamine was the product of depraved thinking, completely out of proportion to his suspected transgression. These defendants are fully deserving of the sentences. Such anti-social conduct is unacceptable,” stated United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.

Noe Galan and Ruben Hernandez remain fugitives. They are charged by indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and murder during the course of a drug trafficking crime.

“This case serves as an example of cooperative, professional law enforcement. I would like to thank our Federal and State law enforcement partners for their vital assistance. These convictions send the message that violent crime in our City will not be tolerated. Special thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the tireless effort in seeking justice,” stated Odessa Police Chief Timothy Burton.

This indictment resulted from an investigation conducted by the Odessa Police Department and the FBI with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Rangers, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., and former Assistant United States Attorney John Klassen prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.