Source: United States Department of Justice News
MIDLAND, Texas – A Midland man was sentenced last week to 360 months in prison for possessing approximately 1,000 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a handgun in furtherance to a drug activity.
According to court documents, on September 23, 2022, Midland Police officers found that Fabian Hernandez, 33, was a guest at a downtown hotel. In a search of his room, officers found over two pounds of methamphetamine and a 9mm Rock Island Armory handgun.
On December 15, 2022, Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of Methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity. Hernandez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on September 23, 2022.
“The court imposed a substantial sentence in this case. This should be a clear message to drug traffickers that dealing drugs while possessing a firearm is a serious crime that will result in serious punishment,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “We are grateful for the collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Midland Police Department that resulted in the removal of another dealer from the streets.”
“Illicit synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl continue to drive addiction and fatal poisonings in our country,” said Greg Millard, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “It is the top priority of the men and women of DEA to relentlessly pursue those manufacturing and distributing these poisons in our communities.”
The DEA’s Midland Resident Office and the Midland Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Lopez prosecuted the case.
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