AMARILLO, Texas - Oved David Valenzuela-Ortega, who admitted to trafficking a large quantity of methamphetamine, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 324 months in federal prison. The sentencing was announced jointly by Clyde E. Shelley, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas’ Drug Enforcement Administration office and U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Valenzuela-Ortega, 36, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty in February 2017 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He has been in custody since the time of his arrest in October 2016. Valenzuela-Ortega will be deported after serving his sentence.
“Working with our state and local partners, as was done here, to drive up the cost of trafficking drugs is a top priority of this office," said U.S. Attorney Parker.
According to documents filed in the case, on Oct. 26, 2016, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was working routine patrol on Interstate 40 in Carson County, Texas, when he stopped at the Loves truck stop in Conway, Carson County, Texas. The trooper observed a vehicle at the gas pumps, and that the driver of the vehicle was having difficulty operating the gas pumps.
The trooper made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Valenzuela, and offered to assist Valenzuela with the pumps. After noticing numerous indicators of possible criminal behavior the trooper asked for consent to search the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, the trooper discovered a duffle bag in the vehicle that contained five cellophane-wrapped bundles. The bundles contained 2,226 grams of methamphetamine.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Taylor prosecuted.
