ABILENE, Texas - An Abilene, Texas, man, Roy Rene Andrade, 31, was sentenced this morning by Chief U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis, in federal court in Abilene, to 240 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in December 2015 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Earlier this month, co-defendants Dion Ray Wheeler, 33, and Scott Andrew Michael, 39, also of Abilene, were each sentenced by Judge Solis to 60 months in federal prison. Each pleaded guilty in October 2015 to one count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.
Andrade pleaded guilty in open court, without a factual resume or plea agreement, to count six of the superseding indictment. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, on Nov. 18, 2014, investigators with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) were conducting surveillance at an apartment complex in Abilene. Investigators observed Andrade, a known drug trafficker, drive away from the complex in a red vehicle. Andrade then began driving at a high rate of speed through a residential area and was eventually arrested. After a drug detection dog alerted on his vehicle, investigators found methamphetamine, in a can with a hidden compartment, and more than $12,000 cash in the vehicle. Investigators returned to the apartment complex and gained access to the apartment where Andrade had been staying. An additional 123 grams of methamphetamine and a.40 caliber Glock semiautomatic pistol were found in a safe to which Andrade had the keys.
On Jan. 21, 2014, approximately 660 grams of methamphetamine were found in a vehicle that was registered to and driven by Andrade.
In June 2014, investigators with the TCSO conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Michael. As they approached the vehicle, investigators smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Pursuant to a search, investigators discovered marijuana, baggies, a pipe, digital scales, a safe and approximately 14.4 grams of methamphetamine packed for distribution.
In October 2014, investigators with the TCSO stopped Wheeler’s vehicle for a traffic violation. A drug detection dog alerted, and a subsequent search discovered a clear baggie containing 9.35 grams of methamphetamine. Wheeler admitted that he was a methamphetamine user, had gotten the methamphetamine from Andrade and that he intended to sell it.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the TCSO investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Juanita Fielden was in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
