Assistant U. S. Attorney Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941 and Assistant U. S. Attorney J’me Forrest (619) 546-6741
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 8, 2022
SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed in federal court today charging 10 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based methamphetamine distribution network with drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. In addition, three more related defendants were charged today via complaint with drug trafficking offenses.
In a coordinated multi-state takedown that took place yesterday, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents and officers arrested multiple defendants and executed six search warrants in Imperial County. During the searches agents seized additional narcotics and two firearms. As of today, nine of the thirteen defendants are either in federal or state custody, and the search continues for four defendants. In addition to these seizures and arrests yesterday, during this long-term investigation, law enforcement has seized more than 119 pounds of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs and more than $80,000 in cash.
According to the indictment and other publicly-filed documents, this Imperial Valley-based network allegedly smuggled multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine across the international border. The defendants then used cars, the U.S. Mail, and commercial delivery services like FedEx to distribute that methamphetamine to sub-distributors located throughout Imperial County as well as in the state of Minnesota. In addition, the network used a corrections officer to smuggle fentanyl and contraband cellular telephones into Centinela State Prison.
“This case is the culmination of years of work by our agents and prosecutors, alongside our local law enforcement partners, to target a prolific Imperial Valley-based drug trafficking network,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to use every tool we have to stop these drug traffickers and bring them to justice.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team for their excellent work on this case.
“These arrests are the result of a multi-year collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Disrupting these illegal drug distribution networks is a vital step in preventing dangerous drugs from entering our communities, and HSI will continue to use its broad investigative authorities to aggressively investigate and bring to justice anyone who attempts to smuggle drugs across our borders.”
“The results of this long-term investigation reflect the commitment of the DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to stop methamphetamine trafficking networks,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe. “Together, we will continue the fight against the distributors that are driving addiction in the United States.”
Postal Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division Carroll N. Harris stated, “Operation Gotham City showed when the night is darkest, Postal Inspectors will endure to bring justice to those who criminally misuse the US Mail. I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all the law enforcement agencies involved, which resulted in the success achieved today.”
U.S. Attorney Grossman also thanked federal, state, and local law enforcement for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. This case was led by Homeland Security Investigation - Imperial Valley Border Enforcement Security Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Deputies, agents, and officers from the United States Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol, El Centro Police Department, Calexico Police Department, Brawley Police Department, the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office and the Imperial County Sheriff's Office also provided vital assistance for the investigation.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
*An indictment and or complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22-cr-1553-BAS
(D1) Omar Castro Age: 30 Calexico, CA
(D2) Brianna Nunez Age: 31 Imperial, CA
(D3) Ramon Luna Age: 40 Calexico, CA
*(D4) Vanessa Vega Age: 37 Calexico, CA
*(D5) Sasha Brown Age: 34 Calexico, CA
*(D6) Michelle Figueroa Age: 22 Calexico, CA
(D7) Violette Espinoza Age: 38 Hillside, IL
(D8) Hector Perez Age: 28 Colton, CA
*(D9) Brent Boggess Age: 32 Calexico, CA
(D10) Guillermo Hernandez Age: 30 Calexico, CA
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22-mj-8640-JLB
(D1) Mario Gallegos Age: 37 Calexico, CA
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22-mj-8641-JLB
(D1) Ray Munoz Age: 41 Calexico, CA
DEFENDANTS Case Number 22-mj-8642-JLB
(D1) Ricardo Velarde Age: 41 Calexico, CA
*Fugitives
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(2) and (h))
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C., § 841(a)(1))
Distribution of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1))
Importation of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. § 952 and 960).
Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges, term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine and a lifetime of supervised release. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release.
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Drug Enforcement Administration
United States Postal Inspection Service
United States Marshals Service
United States Border Patrol
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine
California Highway Patrol
El Centro Police Department
Calexico Police Department
Brawley Police Department
Imperial County Sheriff's Office
Imperial County District Attorney's Office
Imperial Valley - Law Enforcement Coordination Center
Department of Justice, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona
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September 09, 2022 at 06:07AM
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