Commerce man enters guilty plea in Texas; sentencing set Dec. 8

Posted by
Mark Beardsley
in Public Safety
Wednesday, September 30. 2009
Comments (71)
A Commerce man has pled guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Corpus Christi, Texas.

James Pittman Jr. entered a “guilty” plea Sept. 21, according to Angela Dodge, public affairs officer for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Pittman’s co-defendant, Major White, also entered a guilty plea, Dodge said.

They were arrested July 23 after Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officials found more than 200 pounds of cocaine in the sleeper compartment of the Volvo tractor Pittman was driving at the Sarita, Texas, Border Patrol checkpoint, according to Nancy Herrera, executive assistant U.S. Attorney in Houston. Pittman and White were indicted Aug. 20 on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and selling, distributing or dispensing narcotics.

They entered their pleas a day before jury selection was to begin.

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#1 Anonymous on 09/30/09 at 09:56 PM [Reply]
I guess i will start this comment. I guess James had to do what he had to do. He is still a great person... Anyone who knows him and is not a hater will agree. By the way I am someone who cares and its not the same person that is replying who doesn't know really know James.
#1.1 commerceman on 10/01/09 at 08:53 AM [Reply]
Oh well. You play you pay. Guilty is guilty.
#1.1.1 CITIZEN on 10/06/09 at 07:20 PM [Reply]
yes, just because you resign your job, and the investigation is stopped, does not mean you are "not guily" You are so right GUILTY IS GUILTY.
#2 concerned citizen on 10/01/09 at 11:20 AM [Reply]
If you play you pay?? I agree.. But why isn't everyone treated the same? For instance, our local police department, the guys get to resign and the harrasement charges fade away. We are so concerned about what's going on in Texas. What about what's going on in our city?
#2.1 concerned citizen on 10/02/09 at 10:12 AM [Reply]
Officers being allowed to resign has nothing to do with James being stopped in Texas. Even so maybe you should clarify your answer, I believe the paper stated the officers were cleared of any harassment by the city and the city attorney. Some people just get tired of reading comments over and over. Obviously everyone has a different opinion about James and his guilt or innocence will never change that.
#2.1.1 concerned citizen on 10/02/09 at 11:59 AM [Reply]
James being stopped in Texas has nothing to do with Commerce, besides that he stayed there. So why all the publicity? The officers may have been cleared but if they were innocent it wouldn't have been brought up. But it is what it is. That's just the city we stay in. No comment I leave will change that.
#2.2 Commerce Man on 10/06/09 at 04:54 PM [Reply]
Yes guilty is guilty. I agree our police is a joke most of the time. But what can we do about it. I know james jr. , i dont care how many cars he has or how often he works. but he was caught and confessed. I am not judging him im just saying if you plead guilty your guilty.IT IS WHAT IT IS. PERIOD
#3 LADYBUG on 10/01/09 at 08:41 PM [Reply]
we live and we learn.White is a good man just in the wrong place at the wrong time.... do what u have to,live life accordingly and the devil will not get in your way. I will pray 4 my B.I.G CUZ.............................
#4 Anonymous on 10/01/09 at 09:43 PM [Reply]
Why did they have to use the caption on this as someone that is doing a line of coke. That is wrong and he has never been a user.
#4.1 Anonymous on 10/02/09 at 02:45 PM [Reply]
I think the caption is quite appropriate. Where do you think all those drugs end up? Eventually they make their way into someone's body.
#4.1.1 Anonymous on 10/06/09 at 03:09 AM [Reply]
LOL the picture on this topic is funny as h3ll
#5 the PIC IS too too FUNNY! on 10/02/09 at 02:14 PM [Reply]
WOW! That is some NICE picture there for the article! HAHAHA! That just made a LAUGH!

As for JAMES...I LOVE LOVE LOVE him...HE IS FAMILY =)
He is A GOOD man and ALWAYS will be! Major was his best friend. It is just sad sad; he took what he knew he should. He will deal. He has way too many people on his side! He will be just FINE, the hell with the rest of you PEOPLE!

Much Love there POPS!!!!!!!!!
#5.1 Anonymous on 10/03/09 at 03:41 PM [Reply]
HAHAHA Look at the people that are on his side. He would be better off if you stopped posting on his comments. Do you think he gives a crap about you? He has to be filthy rich to have that much on him. I don't think he cares if people in johntown are supporting him. Oh wait and let me go put every other word in capital letters lol!
#6 Anon on 10/03/09 at 07:45 AM [Reply]
He had 200 pounds of cocaine-that isn't a small amount. And he plead guilty to it. You're saying he shouldn't be punished for that? You ask why we should be concerned about what happened in Texas. You should be concerned because those 200 pounds are eventually distributed up here and with that comes all the violence associated with drug sales. I'm not saying you shouldn't forgive the man, but he should pay for what he did.
#7 Anonymous on 10/05/09 at 07:12 AM [Reply]
i can't beleive i read he is not a user, he is a good man. what is this world comming to. he needs to live out his life in a hot prison cell in texas, that way he cannot ruin the lives of so many others
#7.1 Anonymous on 10/05/09 at 08:40 PM [Reply]
Drugs have been around a while now, its not going to stop now. Its a cycle. I'm sure the same drugs are already back on the streets. Everybody has their on opinion about the situation. I'm not saying its right. You live and learn. I'm still praying daily.
#7.2 Eyes on Commerce on 10/06/09 at 06:50 PM [Reply]
Don't you think that the "pill popping,pill selling" boys in blue should be sitting in a hot jail cell too? You apparently don't have a clue what goes on in your own town.
#7.2.1 Anonymous on 10/07/09 at 10:22 AM [Reply]
that's to funny don't u mean cowboys in blue lol
#8 Commerce Resident on 10/05/09 at 12:43 PM [Reply]
It's funny how people's values drop by the wayside when someone they "know" does something highly illegal. I don't think anyone would care if he had a little marijuana on him but c'mon people he had 200 pounds of cocaine. Imagine all the little crackheads running around stealing your lawn equipment, home invasions, domestic violence, brain damage this dope would have caused. It's good to know there is 200 lbs less cocaine that won't be around.

Just because drug dealers don't sit around with horns and a pitchfork doesn't mean it's not evil what they are doing.
#8.1 Commerce Resident Also on 10/06/09 at 07:01 PM [Reply]
I am afraid that losing 200 lbs of cocaine means nothing to the Mexican Cartel. It will get to Commerce one way or another. Supply & Demand, did you not study Basic Ecomonics? And are you saying it is ok to break the law with a little marijuana vs 200 lbs of cocaine? Illegal vs Highly Illegal??? Illegal is Illegal. Maybe all the pills you are popping are frying your brain.
#8.1.1 Anonymous on 10/07/09 at 08:28 AM [Reply]
Finally someone talking with sense. People around here are so simple minded and don't think about things like that.
#8.1.2 Commerce Resident on 10/07/09 at 08:53 AM [Reply]
It's obvious you are cranky and have your dictionary out, could it be one of "crackheads" I was referring to has taken these rare moment of sobriety to get online and get those cogs running again? Naa most likely just a crackhead with nothing to do but defend his dealer. Shoo now....
#8.1.2.1 Anonymous on 10/07/09 at 10:28 AM [Reply]
Maybe a cracker just like you.
Everyone don't need a dictionary its obviuos u might
#8.1.2.1.1 Commerce Resident on 10/07/09 at 02:47 PM [Reply]
Thank you, you just proved my point, and so many others. I knew the real you was hiding behind all that fake etiquette. *claps*
#8.1.2.1.1.1 Commerce Resident Also on 10/07/09 at 06:30 PM [Reply]
You sound not only ignorant, but stupid!!! I bet you have never been out of Commerce your entire life, that is why you don't own a dictonary, much less know how to use one. And you really need to get treatment for your "claps".
#8.1.2.1.2 Anonymous on 10/07/09 at 04:55 PM [Reply]
"cog" I might have to get my dictionary out on that one
#8.1.2.1.3 get er dun on 10/07/09 at 06:51 PM [Reply]
I don't lick crackers I crush em up and eat em in my soup
#9 Non-Judgemental Commerce Citizen on 10/07/09 at 06:19 PM [Reply]
To all you judgemental commerce citizens, read Matt7:1-2 ,if you have a bible, if you don't have a bible, Walmart has them for sale for less than $10.00.
#9.1 Jean on 11/18/09 at 03:34 PM [Reply]
True; it does say that. However, later on in the book of 'Matthew' the Bible also says....."Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them".
#10 Cares about my trash on 10/07/09 at 06:33 PM [Reply]
Does anyone know when "clean-up" day is in Commerce? It is usually sometime in October.
#10.1 Mark on 10/08/09 at 06:46 AM [Reply]
It is the week of Oct. 19-23
#11 Ha on 10/08/09 at 09:30 AM [Reply]
These comments are too funny!! "crackheads defending their dealer" ha great stuff!!! I think it's family members trying to make him look like a angel that does no wrong. They can just all load up to go see him in Texas cause he is going to be there for a really LOOONNNNGGGG time.. Thank the lord for Texas Justice they don't play around when it come to drug dealers.. He'll spend 10-20 years in the Hot Texas Jail..
#11.1 Anonymous on 10/08/09 at 11:32 AM [Reply]
No not family. I'm sure they could care less what anyone thinks. I don't think the feds are like state, so surely he won't stay in Texas. Nobody is perfect. So I'm sure your no angel youself. I'm starting to see myself look ignorant like some others on here, and that's not in my character. So with that being said. Be blessed. :)
#11.2 A Friend on 10/08/09 at 12:41 PM [Reply]
Why so hostile? Is it wrong for friends & family to support someone when they are in trouble? Did your friends & family not support you when you had your recent "brush with the law, or maybe not, since you went to all lengths to keep things as quiet as possible. Are you hostile because you recently found out that someone has been lying to you about a certain situation. BTW I am a friend, not family. He has more friends that you think.
#11.3 Christian on 10/08/09 at 12:52 PM [Reply]
You don"t sound like a Christian, why are you thanking the Lord? Your wish for anyone to spend 10-20 in a "Hot Texas Jail", just may come back on you with you spending eternity in HOT HELL. You need to be praying for not just him and his family, but for everyone, yourself included. I am praying for you.
#11.4 You were never taught any better on 10/08/09 at 06:50 PM [Reply]
Its obvious you were never taught any better and probably never graduated! GED or Government Educated Dumba** Don't be so negative about the situation cause that stuff is still being put on the streets for some of your relatives to get hold of, so watch your tongue it is a double edge sword and you might get cut with it. Nobody says it was right what he was doing, the fact remains he took the wrong and said he did it, now that's what separates a man from a little scared boy, so get over it already!!The whole town needs prayer, because we have not seen GOD's wrath yet.
#12 Anonymous on 10/08/09 at 01:05 PM [Reply]
Sure lets all pray for him and hope he gets out and a week, hops back in his big nice truck and heads back to Mexico for another run wooohoooo! I for one think it's ok to pray that people who do evil of this magnitude get what's coming to them. I hope no one here thinks that was his first trip down there. How many lives has he helped to destroy? Oh but he's so nice to people so it's ok.
#12.1 Anonymous on 10/08/09 at 02:53 PM [Reply]
sounds to me like u have a drug user in ur family
#12.1.1 Anonymous on 10/08/09 at 06:49 PM [Reply]
Yes, I have lots of family members on Meth and Crack. I used to be a user myself, WooooHoooo, what does that madder? I can have my opinions like everybody else.
#12.1.1.1 WILSON on 10/09/09 at 03:25 PM [Reply]
IT'S MATTER NOT MADDER - MAYBE YOU ARE STILL USING
#12.2 True Christian on 10/08/09 at 06:43 PM [Reply]
You obviously are are not worshiping and praying to the same God that I do. My God is a loving and forgiving God and he tells us to be the same way. I will continue to pray for your in hopes that you will go to Heaven instead of burn in Hell for eternity. Sounds like the current path you are on is leading you straight to Hell.
#12.3 Anonymous on 10/09/09 at 03:29 PM [Reply]
WON'T HAPPEN- FEDS WILL SEIZE TRUCK,CARS,HOUSE,EVERTHING HE HAS AND THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
#13 Anonymous on 10/09/09 at 12:11 PM [Reply]
Christian... I was not thanking the lord he'll spend 10-20.. I was thanking him that there is still a state that believes in Justice!!
#14 tlm on 10/09/09 at 03:27 PM [Reply]
So funny ,the white man blames the black man
the black man blames the mexican
who does the mexican blame?
#14.1 Anonymous on 10/10/09 at 09:02 PM [Reply]
maybe the columbian
#14.2 Commerce man on 10/12/09 at 10:38 AM [Reply]
The man is in jail. So why dont we talk about something else. Damn give it a rest. Who cares.
#15 Your neighborhood amigo on 10/10/09 at 10:27 AM [Reply]
Spaniards
#16 Anonymous on 10/13/09 at 10:39 AM [Reply]
COME ON PEOPLE YOU ALL DONT HAVE NOTHIN BETTER TO DO EVERYDAY BUT WORRY BOUT WHAT IS GOIN ON WIT JAMES PITTMAN!GET A LIFE A JOB OR SOMETHIN!YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK,PITAFUL AND FULL OF ****!
#16.1 Anonymous on 10/13/09 at 01:15 PM [Reply]
Looks like you need a job too, since you are posting and all.
#16.1.1 Anonymous on 10/20/09 at 12:21 PM [Reply]
NEGATIVE! I DONT HAVE TO WORK!
#17 Keepin' it real on 10/20/09 at 03:30 PM [Reply]
That means someone will have to sell a lot of cheese burgers to make up for the loss of revenue.
#18 Marie on 10/21/09 at 10:40 PM [Reply]
I am praying for all partys that are involved,Noone is a winner in this situation.He did what he did got caught and is taking the punishment.Everyone suffers commenting on it isnt going change what happens.Give it to God and he will make sure that everything and everyone is tooken care of!!!
#19 None Ya! on 10/22/09 at 12:53 PM [Reply]
Okay, i think this is enough. All the children have been heard from. Can you please close the comment box now. Thanks
#20 Jeff on 10/23/09 at 03:07 AM [Reply]
good bye 200# of cocaine, good bye tractor and trailer, good bye mr pittman and major white(nice name for a coke dealer) hello prison
#21 commerce resident on 10/26/09 at 03:21 PM [Reply]
its good they start catching the drug dealers. i cant even drive a mile on hwy 15 without seeing a couple of cars dealing every night. same place everytime and yet the police do nothing. its pretty obvious what they are doing. there is clearly a big problem in commerce
#21.1 Anonymous on 10/27/09 at 10:46 AM [Reply]
We all know it. The cops know it too, they are simply too scared to do anything about it. I can't say I blame them. I wouldn't want to risk my life over this.
#21.1.1 Anonymous on 10/27/09 at 10:58 AM [Reply]
Thats why they took the job. Its got to be a risk they are willing to take.
#21.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/28/09 at 10:38 AM [Reply]
I disagree. Yes, there are times when they have to put their lives on the line, but is it worth dying over stopping a drug deal? I don't think anyone signed up for that.
#21.2 Black and White Rider on 10/28/09 at 10:04 PM [Reply]
If you are driving down HWY 15 you should be keeping your eyes on the road...or would you be trying to see what you can pick up someplace off the road?

Most of the comments are just stupid and we all know who you are even if your hiding behind those sheets you be wearing.

Enough about James Pittman Jr. it time for this stupid page to be close...MOVE ON!

YOU did not want to continue commenting about our good "ole" commerce police department which continue to pick on the same people day after day...they should be sued...we all know they are in a clique...you leave this group of people alone THE ONES WHICH DRIVE THE FANCY CARS OR HEARSE...but you will always pick on the other group of people...same OLD stuff... always hiding behind those white sheets..
#21.2.1 Anonymous on 10/29/09 at 09:28 AM [Reply]
This isn't personal toward James Pittman Jr., this is stating an obvious problem in the community. Don't take this as a personal attack. This is an issue that needs to be dealt with and not ignored and allowed to continue.
#21.2.2 Mike on 10/29/09 at 12:38 PM [Reply]
Sheets people be wearing? I don't think I have ever seen one in real life, only television. That card no longer works and just makes you sound ignorant.
#21.2.2.1 Black and White Rider on 10/29/09 at 04:14 PM [Reply]
Mike, ignorant! You should know, you were born and still are one ignorant person.
"Sheets" is just a word for this town, where you "good ole boys", would like to go back the the 60's.
A man make a very bad mistakes... It time to move on to something else.

My comment have has sound ignorant to you...I am one of the smartest person in the county.
#21.2.2.1.1 Chris A on 11/02/09 at 08:38 AM [Reply]
wow, what can I say about this post...I am actually embarrassed for you.
#21.2.2.1.2 Anonymous on 11/02/09 at 01:49 PM [Reply]
Smartest person in the county? You wouldn't know it by your written communication skills. You've obviously got me fooled.
#21.2.3 Billy on 10/30/09 at 09:19 AM [Reply]
Why is it every time something happens that upsets someone they throw down the race card. Well the President is black can I have a race card. There is no area in town a black man can not go to alone but, I bet you will find many areas a white man can not go with being shot or cursed at. So enough of the race card it is played out.
#21.2.3.1 Black and White Rider on 11/08/09 at 04:19 PM [Reply]
Billy, on any given day a white person can and do ride through any area of this HICK town WITHOUT BEING CURSED AT OR U STUPID PERSON... SHOT AT.... YOU...ARE AS STUPID AS YOUR COMMENT READ...HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!
#22 Anonymous on 10/28/09 at 08:20 PM [Reply]
Don't ride by if you don't want to see it
#23 Black and White on 10/29/09 at 07:07 AM [Reply]
Enough about James Pittman Jr., this story is OLD NEW...Move on talk/write about something/someone else...Like yourself...we all know why this hasn't been taken out of the paper... Someone is finally reading this trash...paper
#24 Anonymous on 11/01/09 at 10:31 PM [Reply]
HA! HA! HA!
#25 Ron on 11/18/09 at 10:15 AM [Reply]
Oh I get it ya'll are upset because the WHITE stuff got the BLACK man in trouble !! go figure !!
It's all ways the black and white thing.....
#26 Jean on 11/21/09 at 03:34 PM [Reply]
I think we are all arguing with ONE troll throughout all of the comment sections here. If you'll notice, it's the same ol' issue, same writing style, different 'names'.
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