Four illegal immigrants have been sentenced on drug trafficking and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced. U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco imposed the sentences.
Ismael Castillo De La Cruz, 31, also known as “Pepe,” received a 130-month sentence. De La Cruz pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to possess cocaine and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, being an alien in possession of a handgun, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and using a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking offense.
Isidro Santiago Rodriguez-Diaz, age 51, was sentenced to 130 months in jail. In May, Diaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking offense.
Yovany Isidro Rodriguez-Ochoa, 33, got a 57-month sentence. In May, Ochoa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking offense.
In August, Rutilo Medina Hernandez was sentenced to 156 months in jail. Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, being an alien in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug trafficking crime.
The FBI and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office jointly conducted the investigation, which began in October 2023. It targeted a narcotics trafficking ring that distributed cocaine in North Birmingham, with Diaz and Ochoa named as suppliers. De La Cruz and Hernandez were recognized as cocaine and methamphetamine dealers. Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and W. Lee Gilmer prosecuted the case.