Thread: Illegal alien sentenced in New Mexico to more than 7 years for trafficking methamphet

Illegal alien sentenced in New Mexico to more than 7 years for trafficking methamphetamine on Navajo Indian Reservation

01/05/2017

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Mexican man, illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking on a Navajo Indian Reservation.

Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case.

Luis Rangel Arce, 45, will be turned over to ICE and placed in removal proceedings after he completes his 87-month federal prison sentence.

Luis Rangel Arce and his co-defendants Miguel Rangel Arce, 36, and Rogelio Santiago Quiroa-Valdez, also Mexican nationals, were among eight San Juan County, New Mexico, residents charged with federal narcotics trafficking. These arrests resulted from a multi-agency investigation led by HSI and the HIDTA Region II Narcotics Task Force into methamphetamine trafficking on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northwestern New Mexico. The three men were arrested in May 2016 during a law enforcement operation that included the execution of two search warrants at residences in Shiprock and Kirtland, New Mexico.

The investigation leading to the federal charges was initiated in response to an increase in methamphetamine trafficking on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Shiprock area; it was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF is a Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.

This investigation identified eight defendants, who were charged in five indictments, through a series of methamphetamine purchases by undercover law enforcement officers. During this investigation, law enforcement authorities seized more than 2 ½ pounds of methamphetamine, 10 firearms, about $1,600 in cash, and a vehicle.

Luis Rangel Arce, Miguel Rangel Arce, and Quiroa-Valdez were charged with methamphetamine trafficking in a seven-count indictment filed in April 2016. The indictment charged the three men with participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy between November 2015 and March 2016, and with distributing methamphetamine on six occasions between January and March 2016. According to the indictment, the three men committed these crimes in San Juan County.

Luis Rangel Arce pleaded guilty Aug. 16, 2016, to distributing methamphetamine. In entering his guilty plea, Luis Rangel Arce admitted distributing methamphetamine to an undercover officer: 63.17 grams on Jan. 11, 2016, and 55.3 grams on Jan. 14, 2016.

On Aug. 30, 2016, Miguel Rangel Arce pleaded guilty to participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. He admitted that from Nov. 24, 2015 through March 17, 2016, he conspired to distribute between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. At sentencing, Miguel Rangel Arce faces a statutory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.

Quiroa-Valdez also pleaded guilty Aug. 30, 2016. He admitted that on Feb. 24, 2016, he distributed 85.5 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. At sentencing Quiroa-Valdez faces a statutory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Miguel Rangel Arce and Quiroa-Valdez remain in custody pending sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled. They will be turned over to ICE to be placed in removal proceedings after they complete their prison sentences.

The other five defendants were charged with methamphetamine trafficking in four other indictments. One pleaded guilty and was sentenced Sept. 27, 2016. Three entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. The other two defendants have entered not-guilty pleas and are awaiting trial.

Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

The following agencies assisted in these cases: the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington (New Mexico) Police Department, and New Mexico National Guard.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez, District of New Mexico, is prosecuting these cases.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/il...etamine-navajo

From the time of their arrest.

Mexican nationals plead guilty in federal meth bust

Steve Garrison ,
stgarrison@daily-times.com
6:07 p.m. ET Aug. 31, 2016


Miguel Rangel-Arce(Photo: Courtesy of San Juan County Adult Detention Center)

FARMINGTON — Three Mexican nationals have pleaded guilty to federal charges in the trafficking of methamphetamine in northwest New Mexico.

Miguel Rangel-Arce, Rogelio Santiago Quiroa-Valdez and Luis Rangel-Arce were arrested in March in connection to a two-year, multi-agency investigation into meth trafficking on the Navajo Nation and in San Juan County, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Sgt. Kevin Burns, operations supervisor of the Region II Narcotics Task Force, previously said the Mexican nationals were the ringleaders of a drug trafficking organization responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the meth distributed in San Juan County.


Luis Rangel-Arce (Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice)

Burns said the men ran the operation from a Shiprock residence and had integrated into the Navajo community.

Five more men were arrested in connection to the operation. One man has pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing, according to the release, and the other four defendants are awaiting trial.
Miguel Rangel-Arce, 36, and Quiroa-Valdez, 25, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to meth trafficking offenses, the release states.

Miguel Rangel-Arce faces from 10 years to life in prison at sentencing after he admitted in the plea agreement that he conspired to sell at least 500 grams but less than 1.5 kilograms of meth to an undercover officer between Nov. 24 and March 17, according to the release.


Rogelio Santiago Quiroa-Valdez (Photo: Courtesy of San Juan County Adult Detention Center)

Quiroa-Valdez faces five to 40 years in prison after he admitted in the plea agreement he distributed 85.5 grams of meth on Feb. 24 to an undercover officer, the release states.

Luis Rangel-Arce pleaded guilty on Aug. 16 to meth distribution and admitted in the plea agreement he twice distributed meth in January 2016 to an undercover officer. He also faces five to 40 years in prison, the release states.

The three men are in federal custody awaiting sentencing, according to the release.

Federal agents also seized more than 2 1/2 pounds of meth, 10 firearms, approximately $1,600 in cash and a vehicle in the operation.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crim...bust/89660630/

Eight men indicted in meth trafficking ring

Steve Garrison , stgarrison@daily-times.com

Published 11:38 a.m. MT May 12, 2016 | Updated 4:35 p.m. MT May 12, 2016
Police say three of the men arrested were ringleaders of a drug trafficking operation that was responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the meth distributed in San Juan County


FARMINGTON — Eight men are facing federal charges on allegations they were trafficking methamphetamine on the Navajo reservation and in northwest New Mexico, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Six of the eight men were arrested Wednesday by agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Region II Narcotics Task Force, which is composed of law enforcement officers from this area, the release states.

Those men made initial court appearances this morning in Farmington on meth distribution charges.

Luis Rangel-Arce, 44, was arrested this afternoon in Kingman, Ariz., according to San Juan County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Kevin Burns, an operation supervisor with the Region II Narcotics Task Force.
Agents continue to search for another fugitive in the case — Manuel Ruiz, 45.

As part of Wednesday's drug bust, law enforcement authorities seized more than 2 1/2 pounds of meth, 10 firearms, approximately $1,600 in cash and a vehicle, according to the release.
The criminal investigation was initiated after agents observed an increase in meth trafficking in the Shiprock area, the release states. The eight defendants were identified as suspects through a series of meth purchases by undercover law enforcement officers, according to the release.


Luis Rangel-Arce (Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice)

Three Mexican nationals — Miguel Rangel-Arce, 36, Luis Rangel-Arce and Rogelio Santiago Quiroa-Valdez — are charged in a seven-count indictment with participating in a meth trafficking conspiracy between November and March, and with distributing meth on six occasions in the first three months of this year, according to the press release.

Burns said the three Mexican nationals were the ringleaders of the drug trafficking organization, which was responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the meth distributed in San Juan County.

Burns said the men moved to the Shiprock area in the last couple of years and integrated into the Navajo community.

"There is not as much enforcement action there," Burns said. "They were operating untouched and unchecked until they showed up on our radar."


(Photo: U.S. Department of Justice)

Burns said the task force and federal law enforcement agents began their investigation into the drug trafficking operation about two years ago. They discovered the Mexican nationals were the leaders of the organization last summer, according to Burns.

He said the men obtained large amounts of meth from Phoenix and they may have ties to a Mexican cartel.

Miguel Rangel-Arce listed a Phoenix, Ariz. residence as his address on a booking sheet filed at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.

He is named as a manager of AZ Pacifico Group, a limited liability company incorporated in March 2014 in Maricopa County, Ariz., according to Arizona state records.
Quiroa-Valdez listed an address in Shiprock as his residence on a jail booking sheet.


(Photo: Courtesy of San Juan County Adult Detention Center)


More arrests may result from the operation, according to Burns.

"It's very possible that more information, or information learned yesterday, may lead to more charges," Burns said. "It will take us a little while to go through the information. We have to see what we got."
Burns said he was "extremely pleased" with the operation.

"We dismantled this group so they can no longer operate, which is our primary function," he said.

• Ruiz, of Kirtland, who police are still looking for, was charged with distributing meth in March, according to the release.
• Troy Begay, 36, of Kirtland is charged with distributing meth in March.
• Lewayne Dennison, 38, of Fruitland, is charged with distributing meth in October.
• Kirk Castor, 35, of Kirtland, is accused of distributing meth on two occasions in April 2015.
• George Begay, 47, of Fruitland, is accused of distributing meth in April 2014.
• http://www.daily-times.com/story/new...racy/84281400/

From the AZ Secretary of State.


Search Date and Time:
1/6/2017 9:22:25 PMFile Number:
L19151497

Corporation Name:
AZ PACIFICO GROUP, LLC
Corporate Inquiry

File Number	Corporation Name	Check Corporate Status
L19151497	AZ PACIFICO GROUP, LLC	Check Corporate Status

Domestic Address

8846 W SUPERIOR AVE TOLLESON, AZ 85353

Statutory Agent Information

Agent Name: CRISTOBAL C LEGARDA

Agent Mailing/Physical Address:8846 W SUPERIOR AVE TOLLESON, AZ 85353

Agent Status: APPOINTED 03/28/2014

Agent Last Updated: 05/15/2014

Additional Entity Information

Entity Type: DOMESTIC L.L.C.	Business Type:
Incorporation Date: 3/28/2014	Corporation Life Period: PERPETUAL
Domicile: ARIZONA	County: MARICOPA
Approval Date: 5/15/2014	Original Publish Date:

Manager/Member Information

Name	Title	Address	Date of Taking Office	Last Updated
CRISTOBAL C LEGARDA	MANAGER	8846 W SUPERIOR AVE TOLLESON, AZ 85353	04/29/2014	05/15/2014
MIGUEL RANGEL ARCE	MANAGER	2002 N 38TH LN PHOENIX, AZ 85009	04/29/2014	05/15/2014

Scanned Documents
http://ecorp.azcc.gov/Details/Corp?c...97&type=L.L.C.







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