Former Texas cop sentenced to prison for escorting tractor trailer loaded with fake cocaine

A former Harris County, Texas, Deputy Constable was sentenced to federal prison after admitting to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

On May 23, 2023, Alexsander S. Reyes, 49, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

Reyes previously pleaded guilty on January 6, 2022, to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office describes the events leading to the arrest of Reyes:

On or about Dec. 5, 2020, Reyes escorted a tractor-trailer in a marked constable vehicle through Houston with the assistance of his then girlfriend, Priscilla Yvette Cervantes, 46, Huffman. They both believed it contained 10 kilograms of cocaine.

For their assistance, Reyes received a total of $6000 in cash.

However, the drug load was actually part of an undercover operation and included “dummy” or fake cocaine. Prior to the escort, Reyes and Cervantes had traveled twice to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to transport a total of $350,000, proceeds allegedly from the sales of narcotics.

Cervantes was also convicted and ordered to serve 121 months in federal prison.

“Reyes was a cop who wanted to help criminals by becoming one himself,” said Hamdani. “While the vast majority of police serve with courage and character, there are sadly a few that choose to dishonor their badges. Ferreting out those bad apples is something we in the Southern District of Texas take seriously so as to ensure the integrity of our criminal justice system.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, Houston Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.