2 drug traffickers sentenced for yearlong conspiracy following HSI Del Rio investigation
DEL RIO, Texas — Two defendants convicted of drug trafficking were sentenced to a combined 25 years in federal prison for participating in a yearlong conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Roberto Tovar, 47, of Del Rio, was sentenced Jan. 29 to 168 months in federal prison. His co-defendant, Melissa Villarreal, 36, of Del Rio, was sentenced to 135 months in prison. Tovar pleaded guilty June 24, 2021, and Villarreal pleaded guilty March 28, 2022.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to criminal organizations that there are serious consequences for trafficking controlled substances,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Hopefully the defendants’ lengthy prison sentence will be a deterrent to current and/or future drug traffickers. HSI will continue to pursue cross-border conspiracy investigations to target dangerous individuals who threaten the security of the United States.”
According to court documents, a co-conspirator identified Tovar as one of several people to whom she provided methamphetamine to distribute in the Del Rio area. Between June 2019 and June 2020, Tovar was involved in two transactions with undercover law enforcement agents. Another co-defendant named Villarreal. Between June 2019 and June 2020, Villarreal was involved in six undercover transactions. On five occasions, she sold 253.7 grams of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. On the sixth transaction, she sold another 259.1 grams of methamphetamine.
Co-defendants Rose Vasquez Baker, Ray Nathan Garcia, Bryan Alexander Gomez and Ruben Reyes remain in federal custody as they await their sentence hearings.
Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
“In addition to the destruction that narcotics trafficking brings to our communities, the human cost on families, their children and all individuals struggling from addiction to illegal drugs is immeasurable,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “By proactively investigating this prolific narcotic trafficking organization operating in and around Del Rio, our partners with Homeland Security Investigations have helped to disrupt and dismantle their dangerous drug trafficking activities.”
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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