MIDLAND, Texas – Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, also known as “Pepo,” has been sentenced to life in federal prison for his leadership role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) linked to a Mexican cartel. Castillo-Lopez, 30, a Mexican national living illegally in Texas, was convicted for orchestrating the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl pills in Midland and beyond.
Court documents revealed that Castillo-Lopez supplied firearms, drugs, and money for distribution through a network involving his girlfriend, Myra Mendez, and her brother, Aaron Mendez. He operated from a Midland garage, using it to disassemble stolen vehicles for drug transport. Castillo-Lopez’s operations spanned multiple cities, including Midland, Odessa, San Antonio, Amarillo, and others in Texas, as well as across Mississippi.
On October 1, 2022, Castillo-Lopez was arrested for the attempted capital murder of a police officer in Seminole, Texas. During his time in jail, DEA agents discovered that he was directing a U.S.-based drug trafficking operation and had been distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, kilos of cocaine, and fentanyl M-30 pills.
Castillo-Lopez pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in September 2024. He was sentenced to life in federal prison for his crimes. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza praised the sentence as a major victory in the fight against Mexican cartels and emphasized the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in bringing criminal organizations to justice.
“The safety of our communities remains a top priority, and today, justice has been served,” said Esparza. DEA Special Agent Towanda R. Thorne-James remarked that Castillo-Lopez would now have a lifetime to reflect on the harm he caused.
