Rene Llarza The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office announced today that Rene Llarza, 33, of La Joya, Texas was found guilty in the 197th District Court by Judge Migdalia Lopez and was sentenced to 3 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for possession of a marihuana.

On November 12, 2009, a Department of Public Safety Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Impala for a traffic violation near LaSara. The Trooper made contact with the driver, Rene Llarza, and noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the passenger area and trunk area of the vehicle. The Trooper also noticed marijuana residue in the trunk. Further investigation by Department of Public Safety Troopers indicated that Llarza was transporting marihuana to a residence near LaSara. Troopers located the residence and discovered the marijuana bundles that were delivered by Llarza. The punishment range for possession of marihuana is from probation to 20 years in prison.

The Willacy County and District Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute crimes of illegal drug trafficking and would like to thank Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers Sergio Ramirez, Jr. and J.T. Wallen for their participation on this case. The case was prosecuted by Bernard W. Ammerman, the Willacy County and District Attorney and Border Prosecutor David Coronado.