Former judge sentenced to 21 months in prison for providing information to drug smuggler

McALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentra l) — A former Starr County judge who provided information to a drug smuggler was sentenced to 21 months in prison on Monday.

Former Justice of the Peace Roel “Role” Valadez Jr., 34, of Rio Grande City provided information to Ignacio “Nacho” Garza, a drug smuggler with Gulf Cartel connections.

“I want to apologize,” Valadez said Monday, when he appeared in court for sentencing.

After he graduated from high school, Valadez worked for his father, who owned a local mechanic shop.

In 2018, he decided to run against Justice of the Peace Martin “M&M” Martinez Jr. in the Democratic Party primary — and won.

Valadez, though, also dabbled in drugs, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit.

The FBI started monitoring Valadez’s phone calls in February 2021.

Agents intercepted more than 100 calls between Valadez and Javier Eden Gonzalez Jr., according to a criminal complaint filed in a related case. In at least two instances, they talked about buying marijuana.

“We have Title III intercepts that put him negotiating for a substantial amount of marijuana, hoping that he could bring it to Houston,” Profit said during a court hearing in September 2021. “We have him negotiating and selling other quantities of marijuana. Small quantities of marijuana.”

Agents also intercepted phone calls between Valadez and Garza, the drug smuggler.

In October 2020, when federal agents seized about 220 pounds of marijuana, Garza called Valadez.

Garza wanted to know if Roosevelt Vela, the man who picked up the marijuana shipment, had been arrested.

“Valadez then calls the Starr County jail to inquire about Vela,” Profit said during a court hearing in March 2024. “Valadez was told by a Starr County deputy that Vela was arrested by DEA, Homeland Security and HIDTA, but he had not yet been brought into the jail.”

After speaking with the sheriff’s deputy, Valadez called Garza back.

“Ignacio Garza advises Roel Valadez that there will be a check for him if he can help him out,” Profit said, summarizing the phone call. “Roel Valadez continues to discuss the situation with Ignacio Garza to determine what can be done for Roosevelt Vela to get him out on bond. And what attorney should be hired by Ignacio Garza who will have the most influence in Starr County to help Roosevelt Vela.”

A federal task force arrested Valadez and Garza in September 2021.

The investigation, Operation Ice River, brought together the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.

Agents seized more than 7,700 pounds of marijuana, 130 pounds of cocaine and 700 pounds of methamphetamine, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. They also brought charges against more than 30 people, including Valadez and Garza’s wife, Melissa, who served as the city secretary for Rio Grande City.

The indictment charged them with participating in a conspiracy that involved marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. If convicted, they faced 10 years to life in federal prison.

Valadez struck a deal with prosecutors.

In March 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession of about 220 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute. Prosecutors, meanwhile, agreed to drop three other charges against him.

Valadez returned to court Monday for sentencing.

Attorney O. Rene Flores of Edinburg, who represented Valadez, said his client played a minor role in the conspiracy.

Valadez spent about 10 days in jail after his arrest, Flores said, suggesting a sentence of time served.

Flores also read from a letter written by state Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, who said Valadez was a small business owner with a history of helping the community.

Valadez already shamed his family and ruined his reputation, Flores said, arguing that prison simply was not necessary.

Profit, the prosecutor who handled the case, said phone calls intercepted by the government showed that Valadez’s involvement went beyond the October 2020 incident.

Garza asked Valadez for information about cars, apparently concerned they belonged to law enforcement, Profit said.

Asked if Valadez actually knew that information, Profit approached the bench for a private conversation with Flores and Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane.

After the bench conference, Crane did not appear convinced that Valadez made a meaningful contribution to the conspiracy.

“I didn’t see that he did anything, really,” Crane said, referring to the series of phone calls in October 2020.

Profit attempted to push back, emphasizing that Valadez knew Garza was a drug smuggler and provided him with information anyway.

Crane sentenced Valadez to 21 months in prison followed by three years on supervised release.

Valadez is scheduled to self-surrender on Aug. 2.

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