On May 5, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced that Texas “Mexikan” Mafia member, Joe Daniel Davila, 29, of Corpus Christi had been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a large drug conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.
According to a press release, Davila pleaded guilty on July 23, 2021.
Davila was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. During the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing Davila’s role as a narcotics distributor at various drug houses in Corpus Christi and Robstown.
Davila was selling drugs at drug dens known as “trap houses” run by the Texas “Mexikan” Mafia. Many of these homes were outfitted with electronic security systems and braced doors to make law enforcement entry difficult. Guns were also discovered in some of these trap houses by authorities. According to the statement, Davila would oversee the sale of drugs at some of these houses and ensure that the proceeds went to the Texas “Mexikan” Mafia leadership.
The investigation began in 2015 in Robstown, Texas. Law enforcement eventually discovered that the Texas “Mexikan” Mafia was operating these houses in Robstown and Corpus Christi and using the properties as a source of income.
The Texas “Mexikan” Mafia is governed by a constitution that states that every member’s business must contribute 10% of their profits or interest to the organization. The mafia charges this fee, known as “the dime,” to members, prospective members, and sympathizers. These people also make money by trafficking illegal drugs, which the Texas “Mexikan” Mafia then distributes, such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
As part of the overall conspiracy, nine others have been convicted.
Robert Martinez Hinojosa, 63, Alice and Matthew John Sayles, 42, Raul Benavides, 48, Juan Lebrado Pena, 31, and Gilberto Saldana Jr., 41, pleaded guilty to violating the Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organization statute. Hinojosa received a sentence of 268 months, while Sayles, Benavides, Pena, and Saldana received sentences of 90, 108, 210, and 271 months, respectively.
Sergio Pena, 26, Danny Ray Martinez, 32, and Serenity McCracken, 44, all of Corpus Christi, and Raul Valdez, 47, of San Antonio, were also convicted of narcotics conspiracy. Pena and Martinez were sentenced to 120 months in prison, while McCracken is serving 36 months. Valdez’s sentence is still pending.
All have been and continue to be detained. Davila is scheduled to be transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility shortly.
Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; IRS – Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety; and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation known as Operation Charco Trece. Also assisting were sheriff’s offices in Nueces and Victoria Counties and police departments in Corpus Christi, Ingleside, Aransas Pass, Robstown, and Portland.Â
