Authorities: Illegal Alien Sentenced for Drug Violations in Harrison County

MARSHALL � A 42-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Marshall was sentenced to over 18 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Apolinar Carbajal Abelardo, of Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Feb. 18, 2013, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 225 months in federal prison on Feb. 18, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall. Abelardo also agreed to forfeit a truck, several firearms, $13,650 in U.S. currency and a money judgment in the amount of $20,000 to the United States as part of his sentence.

According to information presented in court, from November 2009 to October 2012, Abelardo conspired with others to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and cocaine in East Texas. Abelardo admitted to distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during the conspiracy. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Nov. 7, 2012, charging Abelardo with federal drug trafficking violations.