DEL RIO, Texas — A Killeen man was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his participation in a conspiracy to attempt to import 7.86 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Joshua Ruben Olivencia, 34, was sentenced Oct. 22 by a federal judge to 264 months in prison.
“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, HSI stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of South Texas,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig S. Larrabee. “Today’s sentence holds Mr. Olivencia accountable for his crimes and serves as a warning to traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis in America. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. attorney’s office.”
According to court documents, Olivencia and other co-defendants were arrested at a hotel in Del Rio on Aug. 1, 2020, after an investigation revealed they were involved in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine from Mexico and distribute it in the United States. CBP discovered 16 individual multilayered packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the door panels of codefendant Bibiana Ira Ortiz’s vehicle during a port of entry inspection. Olivencia had distributed methamphetamine in and around Austin, Killeen, Temple and Belton, and had employed a few distributors who worked in Austin and the surrounding areas.
On July 31, 2020, he and codefendant David Ray Coplin traveled to Del Rio to meet Ortiz and another codefendant, Jimmie Troy Palmer III. Olivencia gave Palmer $18,500 to purchase methamphetamine in Mexico.
Ortiz pleaded guilty on June 7, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
She was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison. Palmer pleaded guilty July 21, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine and was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison. Coplin pleaded guilty on March 8, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 31.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza made the announcement.