Eagle Pass, TX - In Del Rio, a federal judge sentenced 35-year-old Jacob Floyd Bailey to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, San Antonio Division; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Eagle Pass Port Director Paul Del Rincon.
During Monday afternoon’s hearing, U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama also sentenced Bailey to a term of five years on supervised release after his incarceration.
According to Court records, on July 29, 2019, Bailey, a South Carolina resident, entered the U.S. by vehicle from Mexico through the port of entry at the Eagle Pass Bridge II. During secondary inspection of the vehicle, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Officer discovered seven plastic bladders containing over 70 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine in the vehicle’s gas tank. Bailey admitted to the agents he was aware there was an illegal drug concealed in the gas tank. Later investigation revealed the liquid methamphetamine was destined for Atlanta.
On January 10, 2020, Bailey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 140 pounds of liquid poison was intercepted before it made its way to Atlanta,” said U.S. Attorney Sofer. “We must continue to vigilantly guard our southern border and do our best to prevent criminal cartels from trafficking methamphetamine and other toxic addictive substances into our country for profit.”
Also arrested with Bailey was 30-year-old Tarina Marie Timms of South Carolina. On January 17, 2020, Timms pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Timms is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Guaderrama.
Both Bailey and Timms have been in federal custody since their arrests on July 29, 2019.
“Methamphetamine is a vicious drug that destroys lives, devastates our communities and compromises the public’s safety,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “The sentence in this case is fitting of the serious crime committed by this defendant. HSI along with our law enforcement partners will continue to seek out and bring justice to those involved in the illicit drug trade.”
HSI and USCBP agents investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sydni Connell prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.