Pleas Begin For Meth Ring Members
Last updated Monday, February 2, 2009 7:12 PM CST in News
By THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Eight members of a methamphetamine ring that operated in Northwest Arkansas last year began pleading guilty Monday in federal court in Fayetteville.

More of the 13 people indicted have change of plea hearings set over the next two weeks.

The group, which included six people who were living in Northwest Arkansas, brought multiple pound shipments of methamphetamine from Texas and California to Northwest Arkansas, then sold the drug through a network of dealers. Police used wiretaps, confidential informants and other surveillance to crack the case.

The drug investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency along with several state and local agencies led to the seizure of about 15 pounds of methamphetamine and several vehicles.

At least 11 members of the ring were also in the country illegally and face deportation upon release from prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

• Victor Zepeda, 49, of Arkansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty and faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines of up to $2 million.

w German Zepeda, also known as Jose Perez, 25, of Arkansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty and faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines of up to $2 million.

• Efrain "Chuy" Estrada-Gomez, 33, of Lowell pleaded guilty and faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines of up to $2 million.

• Luis "Gordo" Yanez-Martinez, 30, of Lowell pleaded guilty and faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $1 million.

• Carlos "Flaco" Quiroz, 20, of Lowell pleaded guilty and faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines up to $2 million.

• Jose Alvarado, age and hometown unavailable, pleaded guilty and faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines of up to $2 million.

• Saul Alvarez-Sifuentes, 31, of Lowell pleaded guilty and faces up to four years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

• Jamie Valencia Del Monte, age unavailable, who was caught after driving a car containing methamphetamine from California to Siloam Springs, pleaded guilty and faces 10 years to life in prison and fines of up to $4 million.

Sentencing hearings will be set later.

Five other members of the group have change of plea hearings set over the next two weeks.

• Adan Casarez, 33, of Monett, Mo., has a change of plea hearing set for today in federal court in Fort Smith.

• Leonardo Gonzalez, 29, of Monett, Mo., has a change of plea hearing set for Feb. 11 in Fayetteville.

• Lucia Carrillo, 44, of Gentry has a change of plea hearing set for Feb. 11 in Fayetteville.

w Juan Carrillo, 45, of Gentry, alleged to be the leader of the meth ring, has a change of plea hearing set for Feb. 11 in Fayetteville.

• Adrain Avelar, 34, a paraplegic who resides in Los Angeles had surgery in December and cannot travel, his attorney told the judge. Avelar plans to plead guilty at a later date.


http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2009/ ... pleads.txt