Operation Dream Catcher successful

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

As the year 2016 drew to a close, all but one man prosecuted on charges stemming from Operation Dream Catcher had been convicted and sentenced.

The Granite Shoals Police Department last Feb. 24 participated in a mass federal drug trafficking and money laundering bust spanning Burnet and several counties. A local resident was among 15 arrested in the investigation of widespread methamphetamine distribution ring and money laundering scheme with ties all the way to Mexico. Dubbed Operation Dream Catcher, the effort resulted in prosecution of each of them by the U. S. Attorney’s Office.

Aaron Bravo, age 39, of Granite Shoals, on Nov. 22, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.

The stiffest sentences went to two Austin men, Osiel Bautista, age 29, Luis Loza, age 24, who received 235 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth and one count of money laundering.

According to Lora Makowski of the U. S. Attorney’s Office defendant Izell Romar is set for docket call on March 1.