Harrison County Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Violations

MARSHALL � Three Marshall men have been sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall for drug trafficking violations. All three pleaded guilty May 3 and were sentenced Tuesday. Santiago Carbajal Abelardo, 26, and Jehovani Abelardo, 21, were each sentenced to 90 months behind bars for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Santos Acuna, 24, got 11 months for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.

According to information presented in court, from November 2009 to October 2012, the defendants conspired to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and cocaine in East Texas. Santiago Abelardo admitted to distributing over 35 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during the conspiracy. Jehovani Abelardo admitted to assisting in the distribution of over 20 grams of methamphetamine as well as attempting to bride a police officer during the conspiracy. Acuna admitted to distributing over 50 grams of cocaine during the conspiracy. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on November 7, 2012, charging these defendants and two others with federal drug trafficking violations.