A U.S. citizen that attempted to smuggle in 220 grams of methamphetamine was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for his role in the scheme, according to court records.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Juan Torres Jr. to a 130-month prison sentence after he admitted to participating in a scheme to smuggle nearly a quarter of a kilo of meth into the country, a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Southern District of Texas stated.
Torres tried to enter the country from Mexico on Oct. 28, 2019.
“Torres was referred for a secondary inspection and was escorted to a secure area where a pat-down search revealed a package concealed under his clothing in his groin area,” the document stated.
CBP officers opened the package and found 220 grams, or about a quarter of a kilo, of methamphetamine.
Torres declined to speak to agents and requested an attorney.
In November 2079, Torres pleaded not guilty to four charges, two conspiracy charges, and one import, and one distribution charge, records show.
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The 29-year-old man’s case was set to go to trial in 2020, but in February 2020, Torres opted to plead guilty to the distribution charge. In exchange, the government agreed to dismiss the remaining three charges, records show.
In addition to the prison term, the McAllen man will be required to serve four years of supervised release.
