A Starr County man will spend two and a half years in federal prison. He tried to move cocaine across the Rio Grande. Border Patrol agents caught John Jairo Diaz, born in 2001, with cocaine hidden in his green truck. Agents found the drugs near Garciasville on March 3.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane handed down the 30 month sentence on Thursday. Diaz pleaded guilty in May. He admitted to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a serious federal drug crime.
Diaz's case shows how someone can end up risking years in prison for a promised $900. Court records say a stranger offered him the cash to move drugs near the river, and he took the deal.
Agents were watching the riverbank in Garciasville that day. They saw Diaz's truck pull up around 12:15 p.m. He stayed about 45 minutes and seemed to fish. Then he moved his truck to another spot along the bank.
Agents saw him back the truck toward the river. Thick brush blocked their view. They could not see what he did next. About a minute later, he drove away. Soon after, agents saw someone swim toward Mexico from that same spot. Court records do not say if that swimmer had anything to do with Diaz or his drugs.
Agents stopped the green truck a short time later. Diaz was driving. His young son rode with him. Diaz let agents search the truck. Inside, agents found three bundles wrapped in black tape. A field test showed the bundles held about 3.5 kilograms of cocaine. That is close to 7.7 pounds.
Agents also searched Diaz's home. Diaz agreed to that search too. They found a plastic bag with cocaine residue inside. Agents read Diaz his rights. He agreed to talk without a lawyer present. He said he knew the drugs were in his truck.
Diaz told agents a man he did not know walked up to him at the river. Diaz was fishing at the time. The man offered him a chance to make quick money. Diaz said yes. The man put the drugs in his truck. He told Diaz to park the truck in front of his house. He said someone would come pay him and take the drugs. Diaz said he expected $300 for each bundle. That would have been $900 total.
Court records do not name the man who offered Diaz the money. They also do not say where the swimmer who crossed the river that day ended up. Those details may never come out. Diaz took on the legal risk. He is the one now serving federal prison time for $900.
Federal prosecutor Patricia Cook Profit handled the case. Diaz first had a court appointed lawyer. He later hired his own attorney, Michael James Garza Sr. A grand jury indicted Diaz on April 1. He pleaded guilty on May 26.
On Thursday, Judge Crane sentenced Diaz to 30 months in federal prison. After that, Diaz will spend three years on supervised release. That is much like probation. He must pay a $100 court fee. The judge did not order a fine.
The judge recommended Diaz for a prison drug treatment program. That way, Diaz can get help while he serves his time. Judge Crane told Diaz he has the right to appeal the sentence. Diaz went back into the custody of the U.S. Marshals after the hearing.
