Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking

TYLER � A 32-year-old Mexican National has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Eastern Texas. Gabriel Hernandez Rodriguez, who�s said to be illegally living in Tyler, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, from an unknown date to January of last year, Rodriguez conspired with Jose Zavala of Whitehouse to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District. Rodriguez also possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Rodriguez was arrested on September 28, 2010, and charged with federal drug trafficking crimes. Zavala pleaded guilty on July 6, 2010 and will be sentenced today. Both men face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date for Rodriguez has not been set.