Intent to distribute Cocaine
HOUSTON – A 49-year-old Huffman resident has been sent to prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Alexsander S. Reyes, a former Harris County Precinct 1 deputy constable, pleaded guilty Jan. 6, 2022.
Today, U.S. District David Hittner sentenced him to a total of 210 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Reyes committed a “gross abuse of public trust” and committed these crimes while on duty further mentioning how he used his patrol vehicle while possessing his service firearm. Judge Hittner also deemed Reyes a leader/organizer because he recruited other persons to assist in the crimes.
“Reyes was a cop who wanted to help criminals by becoming one himself,” said Hamdani. “While the vast majority of police serve with courage and character, there are sadly a few that choose to dishonor their badges. Ferreting out those bad apples is something we in the Southern District of Texas take seriously so as to ensure the integrity of our criminal justice system.”
“Alexsander Reyes was a dirty cop who got caught red-handed and has now been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI. “We hope his lengthy sentence sends a clear message to others who think they can mask their criminal and corrupt behavior with their uniform, gun and badge.”
On or about Dec. 5, 2020, Reyes escorted a tractor-trailer in a marked constable vehicle through Houston with the assistance of his then girlfriend, Priscilla Yvette Cervantes, 46, Huffman. They both believed it contained 10 kilograms of cocaine.
For their assistance, Reyes received a total of $6000 in cash.
However, the drug load was actually part of an undercover operation and included “dummy” or fake cocaine. Prior to the escort, Reyes and Cervantes had traveled twice to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to transport a total of $350,000, proceeds allegedly from the sales of narcotics.
Reyes has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons Facility to be determined in the near future.A federal jury convicted Cervantes in October 2022. She has since been ordered to prison for 121 months.The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance of Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, Houston Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Heather Winter prosecuted the case.