EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An El Paso married couple was sentenced in a federal court to a combined 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office from the Western District of Texas.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says officers conducted a traffic
stop on Carlos Morales, 41, and Rebekah Sue Morales, 55, during an FBI surveillance operation on March 5, 2024.
Two handguns were located in a backpack that belonged to Carlos Morales, who is also a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
A search warrant was then executed on the couple's home which resulted in the seizure of additional firearms, ammunition, and methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the couple was involved in trafficking the meth, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Carlos Morales pleaded guilty back in January to one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. Rebekah Morales pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Carlos Morales was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison and Rebekah Morales was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of the defendant’s residence and multiple firearms which were all used to facilitate the commission of their crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the El Paso Country Sheriff’s Office, and the El Paso Country Constables. ...read more read less