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A 23-year-old Weslaco man on Tuesday was sentenced to a decade in prison for attempting to smuggle approximately two pounds of methamphetamine into the country inside a shoebox.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Jesse James Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty on Sept. 27, 2023, to 10 years followed by five years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced in a press release.
Gonzalez was arrested on Nov. 29, 2022 when he attempted to make entry through the Donna Port of Entry.
“Gonzalez was carrying a shoebox containing two packages of white crystal meth,” the release stated.
He also admitted to having “ice” in the shoebox.
During the sentencing, Alvarez heard about Gonzalez’s criminal history, which was repetitive, and decided a lengthy sentence was warranted, according to the release.
“In handing down the sentence, the court noted the societal harms of trafficking in narcotics and the destruction in communities that it occurs,” the release stated.
Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge at the Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio office, said the smuggling attempt was unusual and people who continue to try to import meth should expect to suffer harsh consequences.
“HSI will continue to bring to justice those proven to be engaged in the trafficking of dangerous controlled substances,” the release stated.
