VICTORIA, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.

VICTORIA, Texas – A 51-year-old Harlingen resident has been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before convicting Jimenez James Love following a two-day trial Jan 21.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Love to serve the rest of his life in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that included how he used at least 10 young women to distribute drugs and bragged about putting the meth inside their bodies. Evidence also revealed he had his own distribution ring and had beaten at least one witness, brutally knocking out two teeth and leaving him with a torn retina.

In handing down the life sentence, the court noted the large amount of meth and fentanyl involved and the use of young women in his criminal conduct.

The investigation began June 30, 2021, when law enforcement discovered Love was transporting meth and fentanyl concealed in the gas tank of his girlfriend’s vehicle.

At trial, the jury heard how authorities conducted a traffic stop and discovered approximately 11 kilograms of meth and 5.32 kilograms of fentanyl.

Testimony and evidence revealed Love was hired as a driver to transport drugs for the Sinaloa Cartel. Love's cargo was one of many shipments this arm of the organization had made. The number of shipments was so vast that an accurate number of shipments could not be fully determined. However, evidence showed the single load of fentanyl that Love was carrying contained over two million potential lethal doses.

The defense attempted to convince the jury Love was not involved in an ongoing drug trafficking operation. The jury did not believe the claims and found him guilty as charged.

Love will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patti Hubert Booth prosecuted the case.