U.S. Attorney’s Office press release
An Arlington woman was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, and a Stafford man was indicted over a failed methamphetamine importation scheme, according to releases sent out by the U.S. Attorney’s Office this week.
The conviction and indictment came in Texas Western District Court here in Del Rio, TX
An Arlington woman was sentenced in Del Rio to 168 months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine into the United States.
According to court documents, Linnette Rodriguez-Potter, 46, conspired with others to import 3.422 kilograms of methamphetamine which had a purity of 100%. Rodriguez-Potter was referred to a secondary inspection at the Del Rio Port of Entry on July 25, 2020. Customs and Border Protection Officers discovered and removed seven packages containing methamphetamine hydrochloride. A search of her cell phone revealed communications with co-conspirator Sally Renae Smith, where Rodriguez-Potter was instructed to deliver the packages to Smith at a Del Rio motel. From there, the co-conspirators intended to further traffic the methamphetamine elsewhere in Texas.
Rodriguez-Potter, Smith, and two other co-defendants—Joshua Keith Stewart and Stetson Lee Spearman—all pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. Smith was sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024 to 292 months in prison. Stewart was sentenced on Oct. 4 to 235 months in prison. Spearman remains in federal custody with a sentence hearing scheduled for March 12, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley is prosecuting the case.
In a separate case, a federal grand jury in Del Rio returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Stafford man with four charges related to trafficking methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Yobany Vega, 24, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico through Eagle Pass Camino Real Bridge 2 on Dec. 6. The indictment alleges that Customs and Border Protection Officers noticed a non-factory compartment during secondary inspection and discovered 41 bundles hidden in the vehicle. The bundles contained 294 pounds or 133.63 kgs of methamphetamine.
Vega is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine, and one count of importation of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $10,000,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Vega is innocent until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass is prosecuting the case.
