Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Santa Rosa resident, aged 46, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing of Jossue Omar Gonzalez for possession with intent to distribute nearly six kilograms of cocaine.
Gonzalez entered a guilty plea on August 6, 2024. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, who also ordered five years of supervised release following the prison term. During the hearing, evidence was presented regarding Gonzalez's extensive criminal history, which includes two previous federal convictions for similar offenses. Judge Ramos highlighted the seriousness and repetitive nature of Gonzalez's actions when determining the sentence.
The case dates back to October 22, 2023, when Jonathan Anthony Lopez, aged 38 from Rio Hondo, was stopped at the Sarita checkpoint while driving a red Mitsubishi Mirage. A K-9 unit alerted authorities to the vehicle, leading to a secondary inspection that uncovered nearly six kilograms of cocaine hidden behind the rear seat.
Further investigation connected Gonzalez to the drug packages. Authorities discovered video evidence showing Gonzalez purchasing packaging materials used in concealing the drugs just one day before they were found in Lopez's vehicle.
Lopez had also pleaded guilty and received a ten-year prison sentence earlier.
Gonzalez remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with assistance from Border Patrol agents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.
