Topic category: Other/General
Mexican National Described as One Man Crime Wave
by Jim Kouri, CPP
A Mexican national, described by federal law enforcement as a "one man crime wave," was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute 15 kilograms or more of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.
Roy Rodriguez, 22, US address unknown, was sentenced by United States District Judge Richard E. Dorr to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Rodriguez to pay $9,000 in restitution to a witness whom he assaulted.
On January 31, 2006, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms, but less than 15 kilograms, of methamphetamine from August 2002 to September 20, 2004, in Jasper County and elsewhere in southwest Missouri. Rodriguez also pleaded guilty to being in possession of a Titan .25-caliber handgun and five rounds of ammunition on January14, 2004, in connection with the drug trafficking offense.
Rodriguez also admitted that he assaulted a federal grand jury witness, for which he has been charged in a separate case. Rodriguez assaulted the witness, stole his car, and stole property from his car in retaliation for that witness’ testimony about the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Rodriguez agreed to pay restitution to that victim and agreed that he should be subject to a sentencing enhancement for obstruction of justice. In exchange, the government has dismissed the federal indictment in that separate case.
Rodriguez also agreed that he should be subject to a sentencing enhancement for obstruction of justice because he led law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit on May 19, 2005, as he fled to avoid arrest.
Rodriguez also attempted to flee from officers attempting to arrest him on June 17, 2005, when he struck an officer’s patrol car with his vehicle, thereby causing damage to the patrol car.
Rodriguez is among 10 co-defendants who have been convicted on charges contained in an October 14, 2004, federal indictment.
Operation Ice Storm was a long-term investigation into the illegal distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri. Methamphetamine and Ice a highly potent form of methamphetamine were transported into Missouri from Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Texas by female couriers who were paid to fly between the states with the drugs strapped under their clothes. This drug trafficking conspiracy had ties to the Mexican Mafia.
Jim Kouri
Chief of Police Magazine (Contributing Editor)
Biography - Jim Kouri
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for a number of organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores. Kouri holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and master of arts in public administration and he's a board certified protection professional.