DEL RIO, TEXAS
Texas Mexican Mafia member, Jesus Meza, Jr. aka “Jesse,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison for racketeering, drug dealing and “collecting the dime” or drug tax from drug dealers in Del Rio on behalf of the Mexican Mafia, officials said.
Authorities said they stopped Meza and another Texas Mexican Mafia member who were on their way to kidnap and murder another Mafia gang member for violating the gang rules, officials.
On July 24, 2013, Meza pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization statute or RICO and one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.
From 2010 until his arrest on September 28, 2012, Meza was responsible for collecting the “dime” or drug tax from drug dealers in Del Rio on behalf of the Texas Mexican Mafia.
In this role, Meza harassed and intimidated individuals into paying funds to the Texas Mexican Mafia.
Additionally, in 2012, authorities said Meza and fellow Texas Mexican Mafia member Daniel Rosario Lara (aka “Diablo”), age 31, were told to kidnap and kill another Texas Mexican Mafia member who violated the prison gang rules of the Mexican Mafia.
However, FBI agents and local law enforcement officers were able to intercept Meza and Lara before the kidnapping and murder occurred, officials stated.
Other sentences previously handed down to co-defendants for their roles in the criminal enterprise include:
- Daniel Rosario Lara, 20 years behind bars
- 45-year-old Jose Cardona (aka “Tinga”), 2o years in prison
- 22-year-old Joel Costilla (aka “Sharky”), 235 months’ imprisonment
- 22-year-old Jessica Meza, two years’ imprisonment.
Four remaining co-defendants, who have previously entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing, include: 48-year-old Texas Mexican Mafia Del Rio leader Roberto Villarreal, aka “Flaco;” 42-year-old Ricardo Zapata, aka “Richie;” 28-year-old Joe Lee Jimenez and, 23-year-old Ray Rene Salgado.
Their sentencings are scheduled for later this year.
The Texas Mexican Mafia is a violent prison gang whose members commit crimes such as murder, drug dealing, extortion, robberies and assaults inside and outside prison walls.
The Texas Chapter of the Mexican Mafia was founded in 1984, officials stated.