By james art Lubbock, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) Twelve alleged cocaine dealers were arrested in Lubbock last week, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigh Simonton.
Eleven of the defendants made an initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Amy Burch.
Those charged in a 17-count indictment unsealed yesterday include:
- Esteban Rene Garcia, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Rodrick Deone Hall, aka “Dirty,” charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine base, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Leticia Chavez, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine
- Shannon Sainz, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and unlawful use of a communication device
- Janie Reyna, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication facility
- Anthony “AV” Deleon, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Isaac “Ike” Rodriguez, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Anthony McIntyre, aka “Ace”, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Roland Vazquez Gomez, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted distribution of cocaine, and unlawful use of a communication device
- Rodrick Lamont Bibbs, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base
- Michael Tijerina, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine
As a result of the operation, the twelfth defendant, Miguel Ramírez-Pedroza, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. (His first appearance in federal court will be scheduled at a later date.)
During the operation last week, agents searched six locations and seized about six kilograms of cocaine, five firearms and $55,000 in cash.
An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
If convicted, some defendants face potential life sentences in federal prison.
The Dallas Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration – a permanent agency in Lubbock conducted the investigation with the assistance of the US Marshals Service, the Dallas Field Division of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Field Division – permanent agency in Lubbock, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Lubbock Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Plainview Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Long and Ryan Redd are prosecuting the case.
The operation is part of an investigation by the Organized Crime and Drugs Task Force (OCDETF). OCEDTF identifies, disrupts, and disrupts top-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutorial-led, intelligence-led, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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