TEXAS MAN CONVICTED OF AGGRAVATED TRAFFICKING OF COCAINE IN RANKIN COUNTY

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett announced today that a Rankin County jury found Jorge Rodriguez, 36, of El Paso, Texas, guilty of Aggravated Trafficking of Cocaine following a trial in Rankin County Circuit Court. The Court subsequently sentenced Rodriguez to serve 34 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to be served day-for-day without the possibility of parole. 

The conviction arose from a traffic stop on I-20 conducted by the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Interdiction Unit. During the stop and subsequent investigation, deputies, with the assistance of a K-9 partner, discovered approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trunk of the vehicle occupied by the defendant. The cocaine was hidden inside a tire that did not belong to the vehicle. 

The State also presented testimony from a Special Agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety, who testified that approximately two months prior to the traffic stop, Rodriguez sold him four ounces of cocaine while the officer was working in an undercover capacity. 

District Attorney John K. Bramlett stated, “This was not a small amount of drugs or a close call- this was large-scale trafficking. When that kind of activity comes through Rankin County, we will find it, we will prosecute it, and we will make sure those responsible face serious time.” 

The District Attorney’s Office commends the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory for their work in this investigation and prosecution. 

Defendant: 

Name: Jorge Rodriguez

Date of Birth: 06/07/1989 

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