Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
Two residents of Corpus Christi, Texas, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamine and heroin. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentences for Jesse Martinez, 51, and Gabriel Galindo, 46, both identified as long-time members of the Texas Syndicate gang.
Martinez received a sentence of 360 months in federal prison, while Galindo was sentenced to 288 months. Both individuals will also serve five years of supervised release after completing their prison terms. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales determined that Martinez was responsible for over two kilograms of heroin and nearly eight kilograms of methamphetamine. Galindo was held accountable for almost 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and over a kilogram of heroin.
During the investigation, authorities estimated that the Texas Syndicate drug trafficking organization distributed approximately two kilograms each of heroin and methamphetamine monthly from September 2020 to May 2024.
The court considered the criminal histories of both men in determining their sentences. Martinez had prior convictions related to theft, burglary, weapons offenses, and drug charges. Galindo's criminal record began at age 14 and included burglary, multiple cocaine-related offenses, a federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute drugs, and possession of a stabbing weapon while incarcerated.
Further evidence presented in court revealed that Galindo possessed a shank, methamphetamine, and suboxone strips while incarcerated for this offense and engaged in distributing suboxone among inmates.
The investigation into the Texas Syndicate's drug activities commenced in 2020 when law enforcement discovered that Martinez was receiving significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Galindo served as one of his primary distributors within Corpus Christi.
A search warrant executed on May 21, 2024, at Martinez's residence uncovered cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, three unsecured firearms, and several children living on the premises. At his arrest time, Galindo was found with nearly a kilogram each of methamphetamine and heroin alongside four firearms.
Both men remain in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Immigration Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Marshals Service as well as local police departments from Corpus Christi and Robstown.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Brittany Jensen prosecuted this case under OCDETF’s initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening national security through collaborative efforts across various law enforcement bodies nationwide.
