South Texas gang member sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison for drug dealing, related firearms violations

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Southeastern Texas resident and member of the Sureno 13 gang was sentenced Thursday to nearly 11 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

This investigation was conducted by the following agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Corpus Christi Police Department.

Manual Lozano, 33, from Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty to the criminal charges July 15. In addition to serving his 130-month prison sentence, he was further ordered to serve three years of supervised release for each count and refrain from associating with gang members.

This investigation revealed Lozano was involved in distributing drugs from his 14th Street residence in Corpus Christi. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence; they seized cocaine, crack cocaine, high-potency methamphetamine known as “ice,” heroin and marijuana in various distribution quantities. Investigators also found digital scales used to weigh narcotics, glass tubes to smoke cocaine and $2,883 in cash.

Authorities also discovered an AK-47 style assault rifle as well as 9mm and .45-caliber handguns and ammunition.

At the time of the search, Lozano’s 18-month old son was in his care and present in the home. Child Protective Services took custody of the child who tested positive for cocaine. 

Lozano admitted he possessed the firearms in order to protect his narcotics trafficking operations. Lozano has multiple prior convictions for burglaries in Miami, Florida, and Edinburg, Texas, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm in Florida. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

Lozano will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Paxton, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.