Two Eagle Pass Men Arrested by DEA for Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine With Intent to Distribute

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017

Two Eagle Pass, Texas men were arrested by United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Maverick County Sheriff’s Department Officers on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Homie’s Roasted Corn, located at 1593 Eidson Road in Eagle Pass, for allegedly conspiring to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to the Affidavit of DEA Agent Allison Yungclas in the Criminal Complaint filed with the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, in Del Rio, Texas.

Arrested and charged with these two alleged federal criminal offenses were Ricardo Rodrigo Rodriguez and Erick Hernandez of Eagle Pass, Texas.

According to the Affidavit of DEA Agent Allison Yungclas, “From December 2016 to April 2017, a confidential source (CS) purchased more than 10 grams of cocaine from Homie’s Roasted Corn located at 1593 Eidson Rd. In Eagle Pass, Texas.  The transaction(s) was/were completed by Erick Hernandez.  Hernandez informed the CS that Ricardo Rodrigo Rodriguez told Hernandez to sell the cocaine to the CS.  The transaction was consensually audio recorded by the CS.  The sale(s) took place in the Western District of Texas.”

The Affidavit of DEA Agent Allison Yungclas further states that “From December 2016 to April 2017, CS paid an unwitting participant (UW) to purchase approximately ten “20s” of cocaine for the CS from Homie’s Roasted Corn located at 1593 Eidson Rd. in Eagle Pass, Texas.  A “20” of cocaine is a small plastic baggie containing approximately 0.3 grams of cocaine, and costs $20 each.  Homie’s Roasted Corn is operated by Rodriguez with assistance from Hernandez.  The UW was observed by agents going to Homie’s Roasted Corn, entering the building, and walking out a short time later.  The UW then delivered the cocaine, with an approximate gross weight of 4 grams, to the CS.  UW told CS that UW purchased the cocaine from Rodriguez.  The transaction between CS and the UW was consensually audio recorded.  The sale(s) took place in the Western District of Texas.”

Furthermore, the Affidavit of DEA Agent Yungclas states that “From December 2016 to April 2017, Rodriguez sold six “20s” of cocaine to the CS.  The transaction was consensually audio recorded by the CS.  The sales took place in the Western District of Texas.”

In conclusion, the Affidavit of DEA Agent Yunglclas states that “These activities are all violations of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B) and 846, Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)-Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.  Cocaine is a Schedule II Controlled Substance.”  This case remains under investigation.

Rodriguez and Hernandez were transported to the Val Verde Correctional Facility-GEO in Del Rio, Texas and later presented before a United States Magistrate Judge for an initial appearance.  Rodriguez and Hernandez have been appointed attorneys and are scheduled to have their Preliminary and Detention Hearings on Friday, April 28, 2017, at 9 A.M. Before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia in Del Rio, Texas.

If convicted of these alleged criminal charges, Rodriguez and Hernandez face up to 20 years in federal prison, five years of community supervision, a fine up to $1,000,000, and a $100 special assessment fee.

All defendants charged in a criminal complaint or indictment are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.