AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The last defendants connected to the large drug conspiracy ring ran by a Borger family pleaded guilty in a federal court Thursday.
Jose Luis Fernandez, 37, and Francisco Villanueva Fernandez, 43, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. David Escobar pleaded guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
Documents filed in this case indicate Jose Fernandez, also known as "Junior," admitted that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine from 2009 until Oct. 2011.
Jose Fernandez also admitted to supplying narcotics to street-level dealers in and around Amarillo and helped to arrange shipments from outside of North Texas for delivery to the Texas Panhandle, court documents showed.
He now faces a statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Under the plea agreement, he also agreed to forfeit substantial property. That includes nearly $450,000 in cash already seized, three vehicles and numerous parcels of real estate in Hutchinson County.
Court documents also showed Francisco, aka Frank, also admitted to conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and five kilograms or more of cocaine. He also admitted to supplying narcotics to street-level dealers in and around Amarillo. He faces a statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.
As for David Escobar, court documents showed he admitted he operated all or part of a gambling business that involved sports betting from Dec. 2010 until Oct. 2011. Jose Fernandez reportedly hired Escobar to operate the sports-book operation in the Texas Panhandle. Court documents said Jose agreed to pay Escobar $300 per week to act as a "bookie" and fielding phone calls where people places bets.
Sentencing dates have yet to be set. Jose Fernandez and Frank Fernandez are in custody of the U.S. Marshal and Escobar remains on pre-trial release.
The DEA led this investigation.
