Dallas Man Sentenced in Tyler for Drug Trafficking

TYLER — A 44-year-old Dallas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Fidencio Homero Martinez pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say, on September 3, 2011, Martinez was a passenger in a van stopped for a traffic violation in Titus County. Martinez gave the State Trooper conflicting stories regarding where they were headed and denied having drugs in the vehicle. Martinez also claimed responsibility for all items in the van and gave consent to search the vehicle. During the search, approximately 9 kilograms of cocaine was located behind the driver’s seat. Martinez was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 8, 2012 and charged with drug trafficking violations.