Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
Gerardo Barraza-Ortiz, a Mexican national residing illegally in the United States, has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for his involvement in trafficking more than 48 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad E. Meacham.
On March 10, 2025, Barraza-Ortiz received a sentence of 262 months from United States District Judge David C. Godbey. Court documents indicate that on September 5, 2023, he pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
During the sentencing hearing, testimony revealed that in June 2022, following two controlled purchases of approximately one ounce each of methamphetamine, Duncanville police officers executed a search warrant at an auto body shop on South Cockrell Hill Road in Dallas. As officers entered the premises, Barraza-Ortiz attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended.
A Duncanville police officer testified that their search uncovered about 48.66 kilograms (107.05 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine inside the building. Most were found packaged in small quantities within buckets and pallets. The search also discovered equipment used for processing liquid methamphetamine into its crystalized form and yielded three firearms and several pounds of marijuana.
The Duncanville Police Department estimated the street value of the seized methamphetamine at approximately $3,128,400 if sold by ounce quantities in Dallas.
Chief of Police Matthew Stogner stated: “This conviction sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the distribution of dangerous narcotics... Removing over $3 million worth of methamphetamine from our streets is a significant victory in our ongoing fight against drug trafficking."
Acting U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham commended all law enforcement agencies involved in this case's investigation and prosecution efforts—particularly noting contributions from both the Duncanville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration—and recognized Assistant U.S Attorneys George Leal and Sarah Douglas who prosecuted this matter.
