Texas men admit meth conspiracy in George County

GULFPORT -- Two Texas men have admitted conspiring to distribute crystal meth in George County from January 2013 through mid-July.

Sergio Contreras, 37, of Penitas, Texas, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court.

Oscar Martinez, 27, of Weslaco, Texas, pleaded guilty Feb. 23.

They each face maximum penalties of 20 years in prison, three years' probation and a $1 million fine.

The drug crimes were committed in Lucedale and surrounding areas.

A federal grand jury had indicted both in July, saying the amount of crystal meth, known as ice, was large enough to merit a prison term of 10 years to life.

The U.S. Attorney's Office later charged them in a bill of information that did not hold them responsible for the larger amount.

U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden set Contreras' sentencing for May 23. Martinez will be sentenced May 25.

They were arrested in August and were denied bond in federal court appearances in Texas. They were brought to Gulfport in September.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Texas men admit meth conspiracy in George County ."