McALLEN — An Edcouch man who was recently released from federal prison after a conviction for possession and distribution of cocaine is facing new drug allegations.
Oscar “Flaco” Tanguma Jr., 36, stands accused of possessing and distributing crack cocaine to drug dealers throughout the Delta region while under court supervision for similar crimes.
“We can see how he values and treats release and the safety of this community,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal McColgan said during a detention hearing held for Tanguma in McAllen federal court on Friday.
“(Tanguma) decided to engage in the same or similar conduct,” McColgan said.
The prosecutor was referring to Tanguma’s March 2018 conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Tanguma’s conviction came as part of a 2016 drug conspiracy case against nearly two dozen men and women.
The drug trafficking ring was led by a man named Guillermo “Don Gio” Morales and his stepson, Erick Alan Torres Davila, known as “Cachorro.”
The Mid-Valley-based drug trafficking ring sent hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana throughout The South.
Tanguma pleaded guilty to count 8 of the 10-count indictment. He admitted to possessing with intent to distribute approximately 4 kilograms of cocaine.
In July 2019 — more than a year after his guilty plea — Tanguma was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
He was released from prison on Jan. 24, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe.
But by the spring of this year, federal investigators allege Tanguma was back to selling drugs while he had about six months left on his supervised release term.
“Agents learned through a confidential human source that Tanguma utilizes his residence to cook crack cocaine and supplies multiple narcotics distributors with crack,” reads an Aug. 18 criminal complaint against Tanguma which was unsealed late last week.
The complaint states that the FBI first became aware of Tanguma after local law enforcement requested their assistance.
“(Special agents) learned that recently individuals had purchased an ounce of crack cocaine already cooked, from Tanguma for $850.00,” the complaint states, in part.
With that knowledge in hand, the FBI set up two buys between their confidential informant and Tanguma. The informant visited Tanguma’s Edcouch home on two occasions — on May 18 and July 15 — where they purchased two different quantities of crack.
The informant paid Tanguma $300 for a “7” of crack cocaine during their first visit, then $1,000 for 28.7 grams during the second visit, the complaint states.
Tanguma was arrested on Aug. 24.
In court Friday, Tanguma’s defense attorney revealed that he lives at his Edcouch home with his common law wife of nine years and their five children — including two neurodivergent stepchildren whom Tanguma has assumed the primary responsibility for transporting to therapy and doctors’ appointments.
The attorney asked the judge to consider setting a bond amount for Tanguma “specifically because of the medical issues of the kids.”
But as federal prosecutors noted, at least one of Tanguma’s children was present in the home when he allegedly sold crack cocaine to the FBI’s confidential informant.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis would later go on to note that the case against Tanguma is a “presumptive” one which requires a defendant be held in custody pending trial.
“Congress’ viewpoint in regard to drug trafficking is — that, in and of itself — is a danger to the community,” Alanis said.
With that, Alanis ordered Tanguma to remain in custody until the resolution of his case. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison.
