ELLIS COUNTY, Texas — A jury sentenced a 46-year-old Austin man to 99 years in prison and fined him $250,000 after convicting him of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to Ellis County and District Attorney Lindy Beaty.
Che-De-Aztlan Martinez was sentenced April 21, 2026, in what prosecutors described as a major drug trafficking case tied to a multistate criminal operation.
The case began February 3, 2023, when Red Oak police stopped a Dodge Challenger for a traffic violation.
Police identified the driver as Eric Mancera and Martinez as a passenger.
According to investigators, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and searched it, finding two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine inside a bag in the back seat.
Authorities said neither man claimed ownership of the cocaine.
Prosecutors said the investigation expanded after forensic analysis of both men’s cell phones.
According to the district attorney’s office, evidence from Martinez’s phone showed he worked within a multi-party drug trafficking organization that transported hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl throughout the country.
Investigators said the evidence also showed Martinez arranged for large sums of money to be wired to international accounts in Central America and the Mexican state of Michoacán.
Mancera pleaded guilty in 2024 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Martinez rejected plea offers and took the case to trial.
“Texas has long stood on the front lines of combatting organized drug trafficking for a majority of the United States,” lead prosecutor Garett Smith said. “Today’s verdict sends a clear message that Ellis County will not tolerate drug traffickers who exploit and destroy our community for profit.”
Prosecutors said Martinez had no prior prison sentences, but his criminal history included convictions for felony marijuana possession, possession of a controlled substance and burglary of a habitation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County and District Attorneys Garett Smith and Sherry Roeder, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Stephen Cooper.
Prosecutors also credited Red Oak Sgt. Cody McKinney and Officer Antonio Avina for their work on the case.
