Two men from Donna, Alejandro Martinez and Victor Vallejo, have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Martinez, age 44, was a former police officer with the Donna Police Department. He and Vallejo, age 48, pleaded guilty March 22, 2022.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Vallejo to serve 108 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three years of supervised release for his part in the drug trafficking conspiracy. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the serious harm drug trafficking can have against the community.
The judge previously sentenced Martinez to serve a 175-month sentence followed by a five-year-term of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court noted that people come to the United States to escape nations with corrupt law enforcement officers. By accepting bribes, Martinez damaged public trust in the justice system.
While serving as a police officer, Martinez assisted co-conspirators as they transported illegal drugs through Donna by escorting load vehicles in his official capacity as a police officer. He also diverted other officers away from the area.
Vallejo assisted co-conspirators in the coordination and transportation of the narcotics.
Previously released on bond, Vallejo was taken into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Martinez is currently serving his 175-month sentence.