sentenced Jaime Arturo Zamora, a 40-year-old former Houston city parks employee, to 327 months in federal prison without parole
sentenced Jaime Arturo Zamora, a 40-year-old former Houston city parks employee, to 327 months in federal prison without parole — a sentence even more stringent than that of Mexican Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas.
As part of Zamora's plea agreement, court records show, he admitted to his involvement in a drug conspiracy and could have been eligible for a sentence of as little as 10 years. Instead, Hittner doled out much more, though not the maximum of life in prison.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston would not comment on specifics of the sentence.
"What I can tell you, is that is the upper end of the guidelines," said Angela Dodge of the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Cardenas, convicted in Houston and considered one of the most diabolical drug warlords in recent times, is serving 25 years but is set to be released in 14 years.
Hittner also ordered Zamora to forfeit $3 million, the same amount he is accused of shipping to his partners in Mexico, according to a statement from the federal prosecutors.
