Siblings sentenced to a combined 48 years in prison for smuggling narcotics following HSI, federal partner investigation

DEL RIO, Texas — A Midland woman and her brother were sentenced in federal court for their role in a drug trafficking organization following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with help from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Border Patrol.

Blanca Estela Maldonado, 54, of Midland, and her brother, Federico Jose Maldonado-Aleman, 59, of Mexico, were sentenced Nov. 17 to 262 months and 324 months in prison, respectively.

“For two years, these defendants conspired as part of a Mexican DTO using one of the individual’s homes as a distribution hub,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “Thanks to the collaborative investigation efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, we were able to secure incredibly substantial prison sentences for six drug traffickers responsible for pushing dangerous drugs into our communities.”

“The collective number of years members of this organization will spend in prison shows our collective commitment to bringing those who bring devastating drugs to our communities to justice,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux. “These sentences will now serve as a clear reminder of the consequences of choosing to poison our communities.”

According to court documents, the siblings were part of a drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking approximately 79 kilograms of methamphetamine within the Del Rio and Eagle Pass areas between December 2016 and September 2018. The pair transported narcotics themselves and hired individuals to smuggle narcotics across the border, using Blanca Maldonado’s Midland residence as a primary pickup and drop-off point. Federico Maldonado-Aleman served as a supplier and facilitated smuggling operations.

Four co-defendants involved were already sentenced, all for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Francisco Guajardo, 34, of Eagle Pass, was sentenced to 262 months of imprisonment on Feb. 4, 2020. April Sotelo, 42, of Seagraves, was also sentenced to 262 months on Dec. 7, 2020. Kenneth Ray Cabrera, 40, of Seminole, was sentenced to 300 months on March 1, 2022, and Agatha Marie Barrientez, 37, of Midland, was sentenced to 292 months on June 30, 2022. In total, the six co-conspirators received a combined penalty of more than 141 years in prison.

Both remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

Tyler Fleming, Joshua Garland and Brett Miner, all assistant U.S. attorneys for the Western District of Texas, prosecuted the case.

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.