For Immediate Release
Friday, May 31, 2019
Seminole Drug Dealer Sentenced to 31+ Years
A long-time Seminole, Texas drug dealer was sentenced today to 31 years and 10 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.
Following a three-day trial in early January, a federal jury in Lubbock unanimously convicted Robert Bazan, 45, of two methamphetamine offenses and four firearm offenses, including possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“The Defendant was a violent man who endangered both law enforcement officers and everyday citizens across the South Plains,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “The community will be relieved to hear he will no longer be a danger to this region.”
“Six previous felony convictions did not deter Mr. Bazan from engaging in the illegal drug and gun trade. High-speed flight to avoid apprehension and witness tampering show he is a threat to the public at large and any individual that might witness or hinder his criminal activity,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “When ATF says we investigate the worst of the worst, we are talking about Mr. Bazan.”
According to evidence presented at trial, in April 2018, Mr. Bazan – a six-time convicted felon – unlawfully sold an AR-style pistol and methamphetamine to a confidential informant.
Less than four months later, in July 2018, Mr. Bazan led deputies with Gaines County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico, on a high speed pursuit following a traffic stop near the Texas/ New Mexico border. During the pursuit, which reached speeds of over 95 miles per hour, Bazan attempted to discard two handguns and approximately 413 grams of methamphetamine.
Local law enforcement officers pursued the defendant at high speeds until Bazan began shooting at them. Later that day, officers recovered two handguns and methamphetamine from the side of the roadway. At trial, an officer testified that during his decade-plus career, he had never recovered such a large amount of methamphetamine from a defendant.
Mr. Bazan worked unsuccessfully to block prosecution. Upon indictment, he attempted to intimidate a cooperating witness. At trial, the jury heard a recorded jail telephone call in which Bazan ordered the publication of the name of the witness in order to influence her testimony.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Lubbock Police Department and the Gaines, Lea, and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Offices. U.S. District Court Judge Sam R. Cummings presided over the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Howey, Stephen Rancourt and Jeff Haag prosecuted the case.
Less than four months later, in July 2018, Mr. Bazan led deputies with Gaines County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico, on a high speed pursuit following a traffic stop near the Texas/ New Mexico border. During the pursuit, which reached speeds of over 95 miles per hour, Bazan attempted to discard two handguns and approximately 413 grams of methamphetamine.
Local law enforcement officers pursued the defendant at high speeds until Bazan began shooting at them. Later that day, officers recovered two handguns and methamphetamine from the side of the roadway. At trial, an officer testified that during his decade-plus career, he had never recovered such a large amount of methamphetamine from a defendant.
Mr. Bazan worked unsuccessfully to block prosecution. Upon indictment, he attempted to intimidate a cooperating witness. At trial, the jury heard a recorded jail telephone call in which Bazan ordered the publication of the name of the witness in order to influence her testimony.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Lubbock Police Department and the Gaines, Lea, and Lubbock County Sheriff’s Offices. U.S. District Court Judge Sam R. Cummings presided over the trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Howey, Stephen Rancourt and Jeff Haag prosecuted the case.
