Paralegal For U.S. Attorney Accused Of Tipping Off Mexican Drug Cartel

A Texas woman is facing federal charges for allegedly using her position as a paralegal at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Antonio to help a Mexican drug cartel smuggle drugs into the United States. Jennifer Loya, 30, began working there in March 2017 and was promoted to paralegal this past February.

Loya's new position gave her access to sensitive information that the government had on the operations of the Cartel del Noreste. Prosecutors said that Loya passed that information, which included plans for upcoming raids, to her sister, Kimberly, who is married to Roland Gustamante, an associate to the leader of the Cartel del Noreste. With Loya's help, the cartel smuggled cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine into San Antonio.

Officials began to suspect they had a mole after a raid where they arrested a member of the cartel who told them he knew they were coming. Officers did not find any drugs during the search and said they felt the drugs had been moved overnight.

Loya was taken into custody and charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and obstruction of justice. She was released on a $50,000 bond.

Photo: Guadalupe County Jail