Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison

DALLAS — Javier Contreras Vargas, aka “Cuñado,” a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally, was sentenced Monday, June 11, 2018, before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

                 Vargas was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison following his guilty plea in August 2017, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a schedule II controlled substance.  He was in the United States illegally at the time of the offense and will be deported after serving his sentence.  Vargas has been in custody since his arrest in August 2016.

                Vargas was charged along with twenty-one others with various offenses related to a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.  Of the twenty-one charged, two are awaiting trial.

                According to documents filed in the case, between January 1, 2015, and July 7, 2015, Vargas and his coconspirators conspired to distribute methamphetamine and used coded language to purchase multiple kilograms of the illegal substance so that he could distribute the drug to other people.

               On July 7, 2015, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and Vargas was found to be in possession of 2 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Officers subsequently searched his residence and found approximately 17 kilograms of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement also seized a firearm, and several thousand dollars in United States currency.  As part of the plea agreement, Vargas agreed to forfeit the items seized, including the firearm and $25,137.00.

               The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted.