Federal prosecutors on Friday announced that Leopoldo Herrera-Gandara, aka “Polo,” 33 of Arch, New Mexico was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. 

Herrera-Gandara pleaded guilty in August to one felony count related to methamphetamines.  

An official statement said seven defendants were caught – all of whom were from within a 100 miles of Lubbock. 

The following is a written statement from federal prosecutors: 

DTO Leader Sentenced to 121 Months in Federal Prison

This morning, Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings sentenced Leopoldo Herrera-Gandara, aka “Polo,” 33 of Arch, New Mexico to 121 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in August 2017 to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas. 

Herrera-Gandara and six defendants of a drug trafficking organization (DTO), mostly from the Lubbock, Texas, area, were arrested in May 2017 in a joint operation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Levelland, Texas Police Department, the Cochran County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team, Roosevelt County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office, and the Region V Metro Drug Task Force, based in New Mexico.

Of the seven defendants who were indicted, five have been convicted and sentenced.  The charges were dismissed against one of the defendants following a plea of guilty to related state charges and the remaining defendant. Arcadio Ornelas, Jr., aka “Junior,” 36, of Morton, Texas, is scheduled to begin trial on December 4, 2017.

Johnathan Navarrette Garza, aka “Johnny,” 27, of Morton, Texas, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Jorge Andres Nunez-Saenz, aka “Tucan,” 51, of Levelland, Texas, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Raul Jose Hernandez, aka “RJ,” 35, of Morton, Texas, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.

Nancy Cecilia Martinez, 37, of Levelland, Texas, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is in charge of the prosecution.