Corpus Christi, Texas – A Corpus Christi man is facing up to 40 years in prison for his alleged role in several narcotics offenses, being a felon in possession firearms and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Today, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against Christopher Ruiz, 38. Originally charged by criminal complaint, he is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the near future.
The charges allege that on March 23, law enforcement executed an arrest warrant on Ruiz. Within his residence, authorities allegedly found various amounts of meth, heroin and crack cocaine, as well as several firearms.
If convicted, Ruiz faces up a minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison as well as a possible $5 million fine.
The FBI’s Corpus Christi Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, including members of the Corpus Christi Police Department, conducted the investigation with assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis E. Robinson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.