CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old man residing in Mission has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Reynaldo Perez Jr. pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton ordered Perez Jr. to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 5 years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that detailed two prior successful narcotic smuggling attempts made by Perez.
On June 26, 2021, Perez was a passenger on a Tornado Bus that arrived at the Falfurrias Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. There, a K-9 alerted authorities to Perez’s luggage located in the cargo area of the bus.
Authorities conducted a search and discovered 21 bundles of a white-powdery substance concealed inside the luggage. It was later determined to be 21 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $2 million.
Perez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roland Swanson prosecuted the case.