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Eighteen arrested in largest meth bust in county history
By: Lindsey Tederman 10/04/2006

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The largest drug investigation in Dawson County history was brought to a climatic end last week with 20 Lexington residents being arrested on federal and state methamphetamine charges and immigration violations.

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Dawson County Sheriff Gary Reiber said it was the culmination of a 10-month investigation, including undercover buys of meth, traffic stops and search warrants, all in Lexington. During the arrests, most of which occurred on Sept. 26, cash, guns and drug paraphernalia were also seized. These individuals were meth dealers, not necessarily users, and they were distributing not only in Lexington, but also in the entire Dawson County area, Reiber said.

In an Oct. 2 press release from the Omaha office of Joe Stecher, United States Attorney, the grand jury returned four separate indictments charging 17 of the individuals with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine after initial appearances were made last Thursday and Friday.

Three individuals rounded out the 20 arrests; one was for a Dawson County warrant on a state charge of selling methamphetamine and two more were arrested on immigration violations and are being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Reiber said.

Two Lexington women, Angela Marie Alvarez, 32, and Alicia Landa, 24, remain fugitives in this incident.

The mug shots of the two fugitives and two ICE suspects were not available.

Under Nebraska law, it is required that children in a meth environment are taken into custody by the Department of Health and Human Services. According to Reiber, several children of the suspects were taken into custody.

Reiber credited the cooperation of four agencies in the successful sting. They were the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), the North Platte office of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Deputies of the Dawson County Sheriff's office and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The list of Lexington residents arrested, crimes charged and potential penalties are listed below.

Keep in mind, a charge is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Jose Astorga-Garcia

a.k.a. Foca, age 23, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; a $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Jose Estrada-Mendez

a.k.a. Chiques, 30, - Arrested on Sep. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Jose Galvan-Godinez

age 43, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Marco Cedillo

a.k.a. Sporty, 22, - Arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years, $2,000,000 fine, at least a 4-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Miguel Romero

age 41, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Tara Williams

age 19, was arrested on Sept. 29 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Her trial date is pending.

Brenda Bordeaux

age 25, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.

Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Beverly Bordeaux

age 29, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Byron Juarez-Moralez

a.k.a. Alex, 18, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Possession with the intent to distribute less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised releasee; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Rafael Adame-Millan

age 30, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assess-ment. Possession with the intent to distribute less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Amanda Denise Porras

age 20, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3 -year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Angela Marie Alvarez

age 32, charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She has not been arrested and is a fugitive of the law.

Cyndi Chavez

age 46, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Tonya Wright Hernandez

age 27, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Brigido Moreno

age 30, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. He is being held without bond and his plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Subrena Garner

age 25, was arrested on Sept. 26 on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She is being held without bond and her plea or trial date is set for Nov. 20, 2006.

Alicia Landa

age 24, charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribution of less than 50 grams of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 0 - 20 years; $1,000,000 fine; at least a 3 -year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. Distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carrying a penalty of 5 - 40 years; $2,000,000 fine; at least a 4-year term of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment. She has not been arrested and is a fugitive of the law.

Pasqual Santana

age 33, was arrested on Sept. 26 for a Dawson County warrant on state charges for the sale of methamphetamine.

Marco Rios

age 43, was taken into custody on Sept. 26 for an immigration violation. He is being held by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Jose Martinez

age 39, was taken into custody on Sept. 26 for an immigration violation. He is being held by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

©Lexington Clipper-Herald 2006