Texas News – A Texas man on federal supervised release is facing new charges related to a significant cocaine seizure in Florida. Hector Villarreal, 36, of Pasadena, TX, has been indicted for possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The Justice Department indicates Villarreal faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and could potentially receive a life sentence if convicted. Additionally, the U.S. Government aims to seize assets connected to the alleged offense.
The incident that led to the charges occurred just over a month ago, on May 28th, when deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with colleagues from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, observed Hector Villarreal failing to maintain his lane while traveling east on I-10 in a rental SUV.
The deputies continued to follow the vehicle as it proceeded south on I-75, eventually conducting a traffic stop on Villarreal. During the encounter, Villarreal informed the deputies that he was under federal supervised release due to a prior narcotics trafficking conviction in Texas.
The traffic stop escalated swiftly after a drug-sniffing canine from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office alerted to Villarreal’s vehicle, leading to an extensive search.
This search uncovered sealed cardboard boxes containing approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine, according to public records. The incident highlights the collaborative efforts between local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in combatting drug trafficking.
It’s crucial to note that an indictment does not imply guilt but rather formally accuses someone of violating federal criminal laws. Villarreal is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva will prosecute the case, with the legal proceedings now beginning. The broader impact of this case on the fight against drug trafficking will unfold as the case progresses.
