Third Ward man, girlfriend and grandmother head to prison for cocaine trafficking

HOUSTON – A 31-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for obtaining kilogram quantities of cocaine from Mexican suppliers and distributing them to various customers in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Chardrell Murphy pleaded guilty July 1, 2019, to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. 

Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Murphy to 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

Also sentenced today was Murphy’s girlfriend - Alexis Moten, 25, and her grandmother - Loretha Moten, 60, both of Houston. Both had previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Alexis Moten received a 27-month-term of imprisonment, while her grandmother, who stored the cocaine for Murphy, was ordered to serve 36 months.

At the hearings, the court heard additional testimony that detailed Murphy’s violent nature and long-term drug dealing.

Co-defendants Mark Anthony Johnson, 54, and Herberth Mauricio Torres, 24, both also of Houston, will be sentenced March 6 and 31, respectively.

On Sept. 15, 2018, authorities learned Murphy received four kilograms of cocaine from a Mexican supplier. Torres then delivered it to Loretha Moten’s house. Later, Murphy put a package into Johnson’s car.

Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, at which time they found two kilograms of cocaine from the package Murphy had placed in the car.

Murphy has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

The Houston Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Basile and John M. Lewis prosecuted the case.

The case is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and enhancing training, public awareness and education.