Mexican drug trafficker gets 7 years in Texas

Friday, September 21, 2012

SAN ANTONIO - A Mexican drug trafficker has been sentenced to seven years in prison in a Texas case with ties to a planned religious movie.

Separate federal judges in San Antonio on Thursday sentenced Jorge Vazquez Sanchez. Vazquez in May pleaded guilty to extortion and money laundering. His seven-year terms will run concurrently.

The San Antonio Express-News reports prosecutors say Vazquez partnered with two Mexican brothers to launder drug money and joined one's investment in the upcoming film.

The plea deal requires Vazquez to surrender his 10 percent stake in future profits of a planned prequel to the 2004 blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ."

Aloe Entertainment lists "Mary, Mother of Christ" as in pre-production. The company, which has said it knew nothing about Vazquez, didn't immediately return a message Friday.