BROWNSVILLE — After one month in custody in Louisiana, the final suspect charged in a wide-ranging drug conspiracy based out of Cameron County has made an initial appearance in Brownsville federal court.
John Fontenot, 46, of Crawley, Louisiana, appeared before Magistrate Judge Ronald G. Morgan yesterday morning and asked for a lawyer, court documents show.
He’s being held without bond pending a scheduled Dec. 22 arraignment and detention hearing.
Fontenot is one of 11 suspects accused of participating in an alleged drug ring that trafficked and sold marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine.
According to the indictment, Fontenot is accused of conspiring to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine from April 29, 2016, until Nov. 20, 2017.
He faces two counts for that charge and another charge of conspiracy to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on May 28, 2016, according to the indictment.
The United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, announced the then-partially unsealed indictment Nov. 20, alleging the ring was based in Cameron County.
According to the USAO, the group of 11 suspects allegedly transported marijuana for resale and sold crack cocaine in Cameron County while delivering cocaine to Houston and methamphetamine to Louisiana.
