Illegal Immigrant in Boaz Indicted on Drug Trafficking and Weapons Charges

BIRMINGHAM—A federal grand jury today indicted a Mexican man and illegal immigrant living in Boaz for drug trafficking and weapons violations related to the distribution of methamphetamine this year and in 2009, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley announced.

An 11-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Tomas Ramirez Poulino, 38, with possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine in Marshall County on April 21, 2009. It also charges Poulino with possessing a .22-caliber pistol in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime and with possessing the gun while being in the United States illegally.

In April 2012, according to the indictment, Poulino distributed more than five grams of methamphetamine in Marshall County on April 2, April 5, and April 18. The indictment charges that on April 19, 2012, Poulino possessed with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of methamphetamine and, separately, more than 50 grams of the drug.

Poulino illegally possessed a Colt .45 pistol on April 19, 2012, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as an illegal alien in the United States, according to the indictment. It also charges him with being in the country illegally on April 19 after previously having been deported to Mexico on June 22, 2009; July 15, 2009; and September 1, 2009.

Possessing with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Possessing with intent to distribute at least five grams of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum five-year sentence, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed; and possession a firearm as an illegal alien carries a maximum 10-year sentence. Unauthorized re-entry into the country by an illegal alien carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

The FBI and the Marshall County Drug Enforcement United investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terence M. O’Rouke is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.