Texas-Mexican Mafia 'DREAMers' Have Dreams Crushed By Federal Prison Sentence

2/3/2015

Texas Mexican Mafia members sentenced in extortion, drug trafficking in New Braunfels

Ranking members, associates plead guilty, receive lengthy sentences in federal prison

 

By Tim Gerber

Reporter

SAN ANTONIO - Seven men with ties to the Texas Mexican Mafia were sentenced to federal prison Monday for their roles in a drug trafficking and extortion scheme that led to large amounts of methamphetamine being sold on the streets of New Braunfels.

The sentences were handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery; the case dates back to 2011.

The defendants were accused of using force and violence to collect a 10 percent tax from drug dealers in the New Braunfels area.

The federal government alleges the conspiracy to extort money started in May 2011 and continued through July 2013.

The defendants were also accused of distributing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in New Braunfels.

Caught up in the case were ranking members of the gang, including a lieutenant and a sergeant, as well as associates and prospects looking to join the Texas Mexican Mafia.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges and received sentences ranging from 5 to 19 years in federal prison for their roles in the scheme.

In a recent interview, prison gang expert Gabe Morales detailed how the gang uses the drug tax, known as the dime, to generate money and threaten those who refuse to pay it.

"Part of that conspiracy is to instill fear into people. That's what makes the mystique of these organizations so great. They have made hundreds of examples of people that they have killed or maimed, that are paraplegics now," Morales said. "They actually encourage people sometimes, 'Don't pay the dime. We need to make an example out of you.' Those people usually pay up."

Another man was sentenced Monday in a separate but related case.

That man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

He was in possession of 108 grams of meth, three firearms, body armor and more than $4,000 when he was stopped by police in New Braunfels in May 2013.

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