A Corpus Christi gang member will be trading a state cell block for a federal one, after a U.S. court handed down a hefty sentence for drug trafficking coordinated behind bars. George Gomez, known on the street as Quick, was slapped with a 300-month federal prison term on top of his ongoing state time, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The 45-year-old member of the Texas Syndicate was already serving a 17-year sentence for cocaine possession when he chose to get involved in methamphetamine distribution, using a contraband phone to coordinate deals.
The case, presented by the office of U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, outlines the progression of criminal activity. Gomez's criminal history dates back to the age of 17, with multiple convictions for cocaine possession and an aggravated assault charge. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales, who oversaw the sentencing, noted that Gomez's offenses had escalated from possessing narcotics to attempting to distribute them. Despite being incarcerated, his involvement in the drug trade continued.
This latest conviction stems from an investigation into the Texas Syndicate's drug operations, revealing Gomez's hand in the methamphetamine distribution network that touched local dealers in Corpus Christi. As these details came to light, authorities swiftly bridged Gomez from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to the federal court system to address these additional charges.
Gomez's activities were brought to an end as a result of an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. The operation involved coordinated efforts from the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, ATF, National Guard, and Texas Board of Criminal Justice - Office of Inspector General, each contributing their expertise to dismantling the criminal network. The strategy was based on intelligence and prosecutorial leadership, as outlined on the Justice Department's OCDETF webpage. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Brittany Jensen led the prosecution of the case.
Gomez has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, as ordered by Judge Morales. This federal sentence will begin once he completes his current state sentence.
