Latest Legal News from the Federal Criminal Courts in the United States

July 03, 2007

ARMED DRUG COURIER SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE

FORT WORTH, Tx. — Raul Medina, Jr., of Addison, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John McBryde to 172 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Medina, 44, pled guilty in March to one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

In November 2006, a Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Trooper stopped Medina for failing to signal for a lane change as he was driving on Interstate 20 in Parker County, Texas. The Trooper arrested Medina for outstanding warrants, and in a subsequent search of the vehicle, the Trooper discovered approximately 153 grams of methamphetamine.

In addition to the methamphetamine, the search revealed a digital scale and plastic bags, both of which are commonly used in the distribution of methamphetamine. Medina admitted that he was transporting the methamphetamine to the Abilene, Texas, area for distribution.

In the vehicle, officers also found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a rifle. Medina admitted that he possessed the firearms to protect the methamphetamine he was carrying.

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