CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 60-year-old man has been ordered to prison following his convictions of conspiracy to distribute more than five grams of meth and possession with intent to distribute 27 grams of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours following a two-day trial before returning a guilty verdict Nov. 23, 2021, on both counts against Ronald Flirt.
Today, U.S. District Judge David Morales sentenced him to a total of 92 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed the Flirt’s criminal history including violent acts and previous convictions for possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver. The court also heard how Flirt violated the terms of his pre-trial supervision prior to being convicted.
On Nov. 17, 2020, authorities were surveilling a known drug stash house when they witnessed Flirt stop at the location. A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent testified at trial, describing how someone had exited Flirt’s vehicle, entered the stash house and returned to the truck.
Law enforcement then pulled Flirt over and found he had a total of 10 Ziplock bags of meth. They had a total street value of more than $4,000.
Further testimony revealed he tried to deceive authorities when the initially stopped him. However, jurors saw bodycam video in which law enforcement asked Flirt to show him his hands which demonstrated he had one finger missing as he attempted to hide a bag of meth.
The jury also heard that Flirt had a Santa Muerte statue to protect him from law enforcement.
Flirt took the stand and attempted to convince the jury the drugs were solely for personal use and that he intended to smoke an entire ounce of meth. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
Flirt has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons Facility to be determined in the near future.
The DEA and police departments in Corpus Christi and Mathis conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Marin and John Marck prosecuted the case.