An El Paso couple has faced the judiciary's hammer with hefty prison sentences for their involvement in methamphetamine trafficking and related firearm offenses. The court's decision came after a detailed investigation and subsequent guilty pleas from both parties.
During an FBI surveillance operation on March 5, 2024, Carlos Morales, 41, and Rebekah Sue Morales, 55, were pulled over for a traffic violation, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. Discoveries during the stop led to a home search, revealing more firearms and meth. It seems the law had been following a trail that inevitably led back to the duo. Carlos, previously convicted of felonies, was found to be in possession of two handguns. Both defendants were discovered to have a role in distributing methamphetamine.
The road to sentencing was paved with guilty pleas, as Carlos owned up to one count of felony in possession of a firearm on January 6, 2025. Rebekah admitted her involvement, pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intention to distribute a controlled substance. U.S. District Judge Leon Schydlower slapped Carlos with the statutory maximum of 15 years, while Rebekah received a decade behind bars. In addition to their prison time, the couple's residence and multiple firearms were ordered forfeited – deemed tools of their illicit trade.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman, responsible for the announcement, lauded the collaborative efforts between the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and El Paso County Constables. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susanna Martinez, who navigated the legal waters leading up to the sentencings of the Morales couple.
