A San Antonio man identified as a member of the Puro Tango Blast gang has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on charges related to drugs and firearms. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.
Daniel Ortiz, 34, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, burglary involving controlled substances, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 24, United States District Judge Karen Gren Scholer sentenced Ortiz to 240 months in federal prison.
According to court documents, Ortiz participated in the burglary of MedPlus Pharmacy in San Antonio on January 11, 2024, along with two codefendants. The group used the Zello app on their cell phones to coordinate before, during, and after the crime. One codefendant made two false 911 calls intended to divert law enforcement from the pharmacy while Ortiz broke into the business and stole codeine and other controlled substances. He then transported the stolen drugs to the Dallas-Fort Worth area with plans to sell them.
Ortiz also admitted that on March 30, 2024, he drove a stolen BMW X5 with his girlfriend eastbound on Interstate 30 in the DFW area. When police attempted a traffic stop, Ortiz fled at high speed and collided with two vehicles during his escape attempt. After initially evading officers, he abandoned the vehicle in a residential neighborhood while carrying a Glock .22 caliber handgun. He entered a nearby residence without permission and tried to hide but surrendered after law enforcement surrounded the house for four hours.
Ortiz is described as a multi-convicted felon and member of Puro Tango Blast (PTB), which authorities characterize as a violent prison gang primarily composed of Hispanic men from Texas cities.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Rick Calvert and Luis Suarez prosecuted the case.
"This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime," stated officials. "Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods."
