Joe Angelo Sotelo

Joe Angelo Sotelo (also known as "Baby Joe" and Joseph A. Sotelo III) was a key participant in the Fort Worth cocaine distribution organization run by his brother Edward Ruben Sotelo. The conspiracy, which operated from 1990 through January 1995, distributed more than 280 kilograms of cocaine — used largely as crack — across the Fort Worth area, along with at least 100 pounds of marijuana. Joe Sotelo was charged alongside his brother and four other co-defendants in a twelve-count federal indictment. A jury convicted him of two counts: conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute (aiding and abetting). He was a central figure in a June 1993 incident that became evidence at trial: after purchasing five kilograms of cocaine from supplier Juan Robles — who took payment but delivered flour — Joe Sotelo participated in the kidnapping of Robles's fourteen-year-old brother Gilberto to recover the money. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the convictions of all defendants in 1996 (97 F.3d 782). In 2019, Sotelo sought a sentence reduction under Amendment 782 to the Sentencing Guidelines, which retroactively lowered drug offense levels. The district court denied the motion, finding that his career offender status (criminal history category VI) controlled his guidelines range and Amendment 782 did not lower it. The Fifth Circuit affirmed on October 31, 2019 (No. 19-10412).