Four individuals who are citizens of Mexico have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in drug trafficking and firearms offenses, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco handed down sentences to the following defendants:
Ismael Castillo De La Cruz, also known as “Pepe,” age 31, received a sentence of 130 months in prison. In May, De La Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, being an alien in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking crime.
Isidro Santiago Rodriguez-Diaz, age 51, was sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty in May to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking crime.
Yovany Isidro Rodriguez-Ochoa, age 33, was sentenced to 57 months in prison. Ochoa pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking crime.
Rutilo Medina Hernandez was sentenced in August to 156 months in prison. Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, being an alien in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and use of a communication facility during the commission of these crimes.
According to court documents related to the plea agreement, law enforcement began investigating this drug trafficking organization distributing cocaine in North Birmingham starting October 2023. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office identified Diaz and Ochoa as sources supplying cocaine while De La Cruz and Hernandez distributed both cocaine and methamphetamine within the Northern District of Alabama.
The FBI led the investigation alongside the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and W. Lee Gilmer prosecuted the case.
