On Friday evening, August 1, Laredo city council member Jorge Vera was booked into the Webb County Jail after being charged with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine). According to news reports at Mysanantonio.com, Vera posted a $1,500 bond and faces a misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report in addition to a felony drug charge.
On Wednesday July 30, Vera attended a special meeting of the Laredo City Council, just one day after he had been questioned by police regarding another man’s arrest for drugs and the involvement of Vera’s truck in the incident. On Tuesday evening, July 29, police were summoned to a bar after being tipped off that someone was selling drugs out of a truck in the bar’s parking lot. After a drug dog went over the truck and detected a “powdery substance,” a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. Vera admitted that the truck in question was his, but says that it was broken in to.
Vera initially denied any connection with the drugs in his truck, but later turned himself in to police. According to television station KGNS, police told the station that Vera offered a female off-duty patrol officer and her friends cocaine.
On August 1, the City of Laredo issued a statement regarding Vera’s arrest, and the criminal matter which must run its course as the district attorney’s office continues investigating.
As all Michigan drug crime lawyers know, selling cocaine is a serious criminal offense. While no mention of the amount of cocaine involved was found in our news sources, the punishment for cocaine possession with intent to distribute or sell in the state of Michigan is harsh. Even when less than 50 grams is involved, the offender may face fines of up to $25,000 along with a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Criminal penalties are even more harsh when a larger amount of the drug is involved. Other factors which may affect sentencing include criminal history, and where the crime occurred (for example, in close proximity of a school or park).
Anyone who is accused of selling cocaine or other illicit drugs or narcotics must contact a capable Michigan drug crime attorney immediately in order to protect your legal rights and freedom, and to do all possible to avoid criminal penalties.