Corpus Christi, TX — A 30-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine smuggled from Mexico.
Tommie Lee Gutierrez pleaded guilty Jan. 29. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales sentenced him Wednesday to 300 months, followed by five years of supervised release.
The court heard he is a member of the Tango Corpitos street gang and a three-time convicted felon. Prosecutors said he made a call from jail on another felony planning to return to the trafficking group.
The organization received multi-kilogram amounts of meth in the Coastal Bend, hidden in vehicles and consumer goods that had crossed from Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Gutierrez was accused of unloading those loads and sending cash back. In one case, he wrecked a vehicle still carrying meth on a Corpus Christi street, and kilograms were later found at the city impound lot.
He remains in custody pending transfer to federal prison. The case was prosecuted as part of a Homeland Security Task Force effort.