CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 35-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Andrew Hernandez pleaded guilty Feb. 20, 2018.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey sentenced Hernandez to 70 months for the synthetic cannabinoid offense as well as a 60-month consecutive term for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The total 130-month prison term will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On Feb. 27, 2017, Hernandez was arrested at a local restaurant in Corpus Christi for an outstanding felony warrant. As he was taken into custody, officers removed a loaded.380 caliber handgun from his pocket. As a previously convicted felon, Hernandez is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition per federal law. At the time of arrest, officers also discovered several thousand dollars in U.S. currency and 72 packets of synthetic cannabinoids. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of FUB-AMB, which is controlled under the Controlled Substance Analog Act.
Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. These chemical compounds can be applied to carrier mediums such as plant material and ingested using rolling papers, pipes, vaporizers or otherwise taken orally. Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in small, foil or plastic bags containing dried leaves (resembling potpourri) and is marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is commonly sold and known on the street as synthetic marijuana, fake weed, legal and by its popular brand names such as Spice, K2, Kush, Klimaxx and many others.
Hernandez was taken into federal custody in December 2017 as part of Operation City Shield, a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement operation designed to identify violent offenders, stop gun violence and protect the community.
Hernandez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
