Hilario Nieto, 41, who once had his federal prison sentence commuted by President Barack Obama, was arrested, along with seven others, on federal drug trafficking charges, according to the Department of Justice.
The eight individuals who were arrested Tuesday were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. Others were charged with more crimes than others, according to authorities.
Recommended Videos
In 2004, Nieto was sentenced to 248 months in federal prison on drug charges in the Western District of Texas. Scheduled to be released in 2021, President Barack Obama commuted Nieto’s sentence in 2016. The commutation was effective August 2018.
“It is truly appalling that a man whose sentence the President previously commuted chose to flout that generous gift after being released from federal prison by resuming gang-related drug dealing in the San Antonio community,” said U.S. Attorney Sofer.
If convicted, the defendants are looking at anywhere between 10 years to a lifetime in prison, according to authorities.
RELATED: BCSO: 3 accused in slaying of 24-year-old man arrested, found in Guadalupe County motel