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A man who trafficked methamphetamine through his car dealership Hampton Motors was sentenced to life in prison Thursday, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas said.
Marco Antonio Gonzalez, 45, was convicted in 2021 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The life sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Gonzalez’s attorney said he plans to appeal the conviction and the sentencing. The attorney said he “strongly disagreed” with the life sentence ruling.
Federal authorities said Gonzalez was associated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Known as “Speedy,” Gonzalez dealt meth out of Hampton Motors on Hampton Road, just south of Clarendon, authorities said. Investigators believe Gonzalez and several coconspirators “stored large quantities of narcotics at the dealership” and used the money from the drugs to purchase cars to disguise the funds.
Raids on Aug. 31, 2017 found “750 kilograms of methamphetamine in both finished and liquid form, which was valued at $5-$7 million, approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine and 6 kilograms of heroin,” according to the justice department.
During trial, Gonzalez threatened to kill one of the coconspirators who was scheduled to testify against him, investigators said. The man went on to testify against Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also attacked an inmate he believed would testify against him, and, during trial, passed a threatening note to federal agents, authorities said.
These actions were factors in the decision for a life sentence, Judge Starr said during sentencing.
Ten coconspirators pled guilty prior to the trial, authorities said.
