Seven members of the Partido Revolucionario Mexicano (PRM) prison gang have been sentenced to 137 years in federal prison for their role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The sentences were imposed in Del Rio, Texas, according to court documents.
Victor Hinojosa, also known as Zuko, 35; Martha Gonzalez Ritchie, 64; Jesus Espinoza, 33; Francisco Espinoza, 29; Ernesto Magdaleno, 56; Armando Ramirez, also known as Mando, 36; and Danny Suarez, 41, all of Eagle Pass, Texas, were involved in cocaine trafficking in and around Eagle Pass and Del Rio from March 1, 2019, to June 1, 2021.
Hinojosa, a PRM sergeant, communicated with others via Facebook Messenger and cell phones to discuss cocaine distribution activities, according to a Department of Justice press release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration made many controlled purchases from Hinojosa during the investigation. All seven defendants were arrested on June 11, 2021. Hinojosa, Jesus Espinoza, and Francisco Espinoza all pled guilty in 2022 to one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the purpose to distribute. Ritchie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess heroin with the purpose of distributing it.
On June 5, Chief United States District Judge Alia Moses sentenced Hinojosa and Ritchie to 30 years in prison, Jesus Espinoza to 17 ½ years, and Francisco Espinoza to 19 ½ years. On June 13, Magdaleno and Ramirez were condemned to 14 years apiece, while Suarez was sentenced to 12 years.
“This criminal conspiracy goes far beyond narcotics distribution,” said US Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “PRM is a violent prison gang that operates on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.”
Co-defendants awaiting sentencing include Rodolfo Jimenez Jr., Eduardo Gloria, Saul Sanchez-Rosas, Yvonne Rodriguez-Torres, Luis Alberto Torres-Marquez, Paulino Ramirez, Louis Iglesias, Martha Perez, and Randy Crioyos. In August 2023, co-defendant Carlos Eduardo Saldana Jr. was sentenced to 10 years. Kevin Ritchie was sentenced to 35 years in October 2023. In July 2024, Clinton Ritchie received a sentence of 19 ½ years. Carlos Daniel Rodriguez-Urrabazo received a 7-year sentence in July 2024.
The DEA and FBI led Operation Tequila Sunset, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Border Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Eagle Pass Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Offices of Maverick, Dimmitt, and Val Verde counties. Brett Miner, an assistant United States attorney, prosecuted the case.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice’s broad program to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and safeguard communities from violence.
