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Press Release

Final Waco Drug Ring Conspiracy Defendant Sentenced to Federal Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

In Waco today, a federal judge sentenced 33-year-old Jeremiah Hector Marquez to 327 months in federal prison for his leadership role in a Waco-based methamphetamine distribution operation.  Marquez’s sentencing was the final sentence handed down in this indictment.  All 20 indicted defendants were convicted in this case for their roles in the distribution scheme.  Eighteen of the defendants received federal prison terms ranging from two years to life imprisonment.  One defendant was sentenced to time served and one defendant received probation.

U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs; Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt; Killeen Police Chief Charles Kimble; McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara; and, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw made today’s announcement.

A federal grand jury indictment in August 2018 charged the defendants, including Waco resident and fellow ringleader Daniel Louis Lopez who is currently serving a life sentence, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  From May 2017 to the time of indictment, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of more than twelve kilograms of methamphetamine throughout the Waco and Central Texas areas. 

On April 2, 2019, Marquez pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.  In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright ordered that Marquez pay a $5,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.

“Methamphetamine or “meth” destroys lives.  It’s a highly addictive poison and those that sell it are victimizing our communities.  If you deal meth in Central Texas, you can expect to spend a long time in prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Sofer.

The DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Waco Police Department, Killeen Police Department and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Frazier and Christopher Blanton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years

Updated October 29, 2020

Topic
Drug Trafficking