By Jim Hardin
Herald-Banner Staff
A 31-year-old Arlington man was assessed two 17-year prison terms this week on drug charges involving almost a kilo of cocaine and 99 pounds of marijuana.
Judge Brett Hall sentenced Valentin Acuna on Wednesday after a jury took less than 20 minutes to find him guilty of possession with intent to deliver more than 400 grams of cocaine and possession of marijuana, more than 50 pounds, but less than 2,000. The judge also assessed a $5,000 fine.
The jury deliberated less than 20 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts.
“By their verdict, our citizens have made it clear that drug dealers will be dealt with severely in Rockwall County,,” said Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper. “We are pleased to see a swift verdict of guilty in this case.”
Acuna and a passenger in his car, 28-year-old Juan Flores of Arlington, were arrested on June 13 by a Royse City police officer who stopped their car for speeding on Interstate 30. During the traffic stop, the officer asked whether he could search the car. The driver consented and the officer found the cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle’s trunk.
Assistant District Attorney Stephani Hudgins Woodward, lead prosecutor in the case, said Acuna was delivering the drugs to Tennessee. She said investigators determined the street value of a kilo of cocaine in Tennessee is approximately $24,000. A kilo is about 2.2 pounds, the prosecutor said.
Flores received a 12-year prison term after pleading guilty earlier to the charges.
