Eagle Passan Francisco Balderas Sentenced to 18+ Years Imprisonment on Federal Drug Charge
(Press Release) In Del Rio, 36-year-old Francisco Balderas (aka “Frank”, “El Profe”) was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy operating in the Eagle Pass, TX, area, stated United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., DEA Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Alia Moses ordered that Balderas pay a $10,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.
On January 9, 2014, Balderas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to deliver. By pleading guilty, Balderas admitted that he supplied cocaine to other dealers in Eagle Pass from November 2011 until October 2013. During that time, undercover agents purchased approximately 2.6 kilograms of cocaine from Balderas.
Balderas has remained in federal custody since being arrested by federal authorities on October 8, 2013.
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division, Maverick County Sheriff’s Office and Eagle Pass Police Department also assisted in the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Mike Galdo.
