Abilene Man Receives Almost 20 Years in Federal Prison in Relation to Drug Trafficking
By: Department of Justice Press Release
Updated: November 8, 2012
Nicholas Albarado, 27, of Abilene, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to 18 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaa of the Northern District of Texas.
Albarado, who has been in custody since his arrest, pleaded guilty in July 2012 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in the case, the Abilene Police Department received information that a residence on Locust Street in Abilene was being used as a marijuana stash house for a drug trafficking organization. On August 30, 2011, agents with the Abilene Police Department went to the residence to conduct a knock-and-talk in reference to a drug trafficking investigation.
When Albarado answered the door, there was an overwhelming smell of fresh marijuana.
When agents entered the residence based upon exigent circumstances, Albarado escorted them to a bedroom where they met the owner of the residence, as well as co-defendant, Joshua Cisneros, 28.
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence. During the execution of that warrant, agents located and seized methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, located throughout the house, as well as one stolen rifle and two handguns.
A federal grand jury indicted Albarado and Cisneros in November 2011, charging each with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Cisneros went to trial in September 2012 and was convicted on all five counts of the indictment. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19, 2012, in federal court in Abilene; he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $16 million fine.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Abilene Police Department, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Cunningham, of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Lubbock, Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.
Albarado, who has been in custody since his arrest, pleaded guilty in July 2012 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in the case, the Abilene Police Department received information that a residence on Locust Street in Abilene was being used as a marijuana stash house for a drug trafficking organization. On August 30, 2011, agents with the Abilene Police Department went to the residence to conduct a knock-and-talk in reference to a drug trafficking investigation.
When Albarado answered the door, there was an overwhelming smell of fresh marijuana.
When agents entered the residence based upon exigent circumstances, Albarado escorted them to a bedroom where they met the owner of the residence, as well as co-defendant, Joshua Cisneros, 28.
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence. During the execution of that warrant, agents located and seized methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, located throughout the house, as well as one stolen rifle and two handguns.
A federal grand jury indicted Albarado and Cisneros in November 2011, charging each with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Cisneros went to trial in September 2012 and was convicted on all five counts of the indictment. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19, 2012, in federal court in Abilene; he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $16 million fine.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Abilene Police Department, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Cunningham, of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Lubbock, Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.
