McALLEN, Texas – A 65-year-old Mexican national has received a federal prison sentence following his conviction in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately two kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jorge Luis Perez-Cortez pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2020.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez upwardly departed from the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and ordered Perez-Cortez to serve 80 months in prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence. At the hearing, Judge Alvarez rebuked Perez-Cortez for returning to the United States soon after his prior removal and involving himself and his son in cocaine trafficking. He further noted Perez-Cortez's criminal history.
His son - Jorge de Jesus Perez, 31, of Mission – was also convicted in the scheme and previously sentenced to 24 months to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
On May 22, 2020, Perez-Cortez and his son picked up two kilograms of cocaine and traveled to a McDonald’s near Edinburg. Law enforcement approached, after which Perez-Cortez admitted he was the one responsible for coordinating the drug transaction, while his son was just his means of transportation. They had intended for it to be delivered to Houston.
The investigation revealed several incriminating messages on Perez-Cortez’s cell phone linking him to a drug trafficking ring.
Perez-Cortez 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 Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case.
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