A judge sentenced Forney resident Luis Eduardo Rendon, 39, to 20 years in federal prison on Thursday. Rendon, whose case was discussed in the Forney discussion forum last October when he was arrested, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Federal authorities say Rendon was one of the key elements in an at least 18-member cocaine and meth smuggling organization that operated for five years in at least six states as well as Mexico. As part of his plea agreement, Rendon agreed to forfeit his $300,000 home in Forney as well as $1.17 million in cash to the federal government. In addition, all but five members of the organization have pled guilty to conspiracy charges and have forfeited a combined $16.5 million worth of homes, vehicles, jewelry and cash.

The case was closely watched by many individuals from the Dallas area after one of Rendon’s alleged co-conspirators shot and critically wounded Dallas Police Department Lt. Carlton Marshall during a raid on a home in Oak Cliff in October 2007 as police moved to shut the conspiracy down.

It is estimated that the organization moved several thousand kilograms of cocaine and about 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine over the course of five years.

Speaking through an English interpreter, Rendon apologized to his family, the judge, and the United States “for the crimes I have committed in your country.”

The investigation included agents from the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Iriving Police Department and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office. The proceedings were held in federal court in Waco, where much of the investigation centered.

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