A federal jury has convicted Lorenzo Valerio-Popoca, a 31-year-old Mexican national, on two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the verdict. Valerio-Popoca faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2025.
During the trial, evidence showed that Valerio-Popoca arranged and oversaw the delivery of half a kilogram of methamphetamine in Palmetto. On March 30, 2018, he also organized the delivery of two kilograms of methamphetamine in Sun City Center. Authorities stated that Valerio-Popoca evaded capture until November 2022, when he was arrested in Pasadena, Texas, while trafficking 10 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with help from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasadena Police Department in Texas. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo is prosecuting the case.
“United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Lorenzo Valerio-Popoca (31, Mexico) guilty of two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Valerio-Popoca faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is set for October 29, 2025.”
