South Texas Supplier in Interstate Narcotics Distribution Network Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

AUSTIN, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in federal court in Austin last week to 14 years in prison for his role in a narcotics distribution network that spanned the U.S.

According to court documents, Victor Penaloza-Calderon, aka Cuñado, 37, of Michoacan, Mexico was the source of supply for hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine that was routed to Austin for distribution in and around the city, as well as in states as far away as Wisconsin and North Carolina.  An operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration has resulted in the arrests and convictions of 29 conspiracy members and, in the process, has dismantled the distribution organization. 

The leader of the distribution organization, Karl Beck, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.  There have been 29 defendants sentenced from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) Operation Glass Joe.  Two additional defendants have been indicted and await trial.

“Proving how critical our law enforcement partnerships are, this multi-agency operation has completely dismantled an organization responsible for distributing narcotics in communities across the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “As of today, the defendants in this conspiracy have been sentenced to a total of 2,907 months in federal prison.  That’s your justice system at work.”

“This Drug Trafficking Organization embedded itself in communities across the nation, including Texas, through distribution cells,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the DEA Houston Division.  “The number of arrests and drug seizures in this case exemplifies DEA’s continued effort to bring those who attempt to profit from our communities to justice.”

“This federal prison sentence sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to hold criminals who are bringing methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs into our communities accountable for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr of the FBI San Antonio Division.

This case was investigated by the DEA; FBI; Austin Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Cedar Park Police Department; Pflugerville Police Department; Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office; and Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Guess prosecuted the case.

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