An Austin man with a history of felony convictions has been indicted on charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, after an incident involving a collision with a police vehicle. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, Cliofa Delacruz, 34, is facing accusations that place him at the center of a significant criminal case.
The court documents stated that Delacruz, allegedly, rammed into a law enforcement vehicle while attempting to evade capture. At the time of his arrest, officers assert that he was in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. His indictment includes one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession, of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
If convicted of these charges, Delacruz could face a sizable punishment, with up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 for each count, as informed by U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. However, it's critical to remember that an indictment is not a conviction—Delacruz remains innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation is a joint effort, spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Austin Police Department, ensuring a robust case against Delacruz. Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Gardner is assigned to prosecute the case, which will be examined considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory, factors.
