Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JULIO CESAR DELGADO (“DELGADO”), age 39, formerly a resident of Brownsville, Texas pled guilty on June 5, 2025, before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 846; and Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1952(a)(3).
The charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, now carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years. Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each offense also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
Sentencing will occur on October 9, 2025.
Court documents reflect that the Defendant was part of a sophisticated conspiracy that smuggled cocaine from Mexico into the United States at Brownsville, Texas and transported it to customers in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Michigan. DELGADO, and others, would also collect payment from the customers. During the investigation, the Louisiana State Police seized approximately $31,000 from DELGADO and another individual during a traffic stop. The money was payment received for cocaine delivered to a trafficker in Michigan. This money is subject to forfeiture.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Narcotics Unit is assigned the prosecution.