VA: 19 drug suspects named in federal indictment
Friday, December 14, 2007
19 drug suspects named in federal indictment
By Erica M. Bush
The Winchester Star
Winchester — Nineteen people have been charged in a 70-count federal indictment for their alleged involvement in a local, large-scale cocaine distribution ring.
The suspects are accused of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of a mixture containing cocaine or more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the indictment filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
A total of 32 people were allegedly involved in drug activity from November 2006 to Nov. 20, according to court records.
Twenty-nine of the suspects were arrested last month following a nearly 13-month investigation of cocaine dealing in the area.
Twenty-six of the individuals were taken into custody on Nov. 15 after law enforcement agents conducted a raid at residences in Winchester and Frederick County as part of Operation Boomerang.
Search warrants were executed at 113 Trade Winds Drive, 104 Woody’s Place, 641 Dunlap St., 103 Way Faring Drive, 237 Kimberly Way, 701 Van Fossen St., 116 Keswick Drive, 536 Smithfield Ave., 1024 Franklin St., and 126 Brigstock Drive.
Several other residences were searched after owners and renters gave consent.
Three other suspects were arrested by the end of last month. An additional three have been charged but are fugitives.
Authorities say they have recovered more than 8 kilograms of cocaine, along with more than $70,000 in cash and multiple firearms, as a result of Operation Boomerang.
The majority of the suspects are Hispanic and in the country illegally, said Lt. Allen Sibert of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force, which spearheaded the operation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already placed detainers on the illegal immigrants, meaning that if the defendants are convicted and complete their sentences, ICE agents can begin deportation proceedings.
Seven of the drug distribution ring’s suspects had been charged in a 35-count indictment handed down in U.S. District Court on Nov. 14. Wednesday’s 70-count indictment is intended to replace the previous one, according to court records.
The seven suspects originally charged in federal court are scheduled to go to trial next month, according to court records.
Moises Cruz Gomez, age and address unavailable; Eric Ivan Gill Sesena, 23, of 104 Woody’s Place; Reyes Lopez Ballinas, age and address unavailable; Jose Luis Cortes Gonzales, 19, address unavailable; Tricia Kelly Tharp, 24, of 2729 Senseny Road and 103 Way Faring Drive; Dustin Scott Files, 25, with an address listed as the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center; and Kevin Vince Stottlemyer Jr., 22, with an address listed as the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center, are all scheduled for a Jan. 16-17 jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg.
Those seven, along with the others indicted in federal court on Wednesday, face a variety of charges, including possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing a substance containing cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine, and possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing more than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.
The other 12 suspects who stand accused in U.S. District Court are:
* Leonardo Flores-Lopez, 21, of 116 Keswick Court.
* Leobardo Flores-Flores, age and address unavailable.
* Israel Hernandez-Hernandez, 19, of 142 Windstone Drive.
* Alejandro Quiroz-Guerrero, 34, of 641 Dunlap St.
* Jose Luis Jaimes Perez, 46, address unavailable.
* Isidro Hernandez-Hernandez, 22, address unavailable.
* Antonio Abuerto Avila, 41, of 237 Kimberly Way.
* Doreteo Hernandez-Hernandez, 26, of 142 Windstone Drive.
* Randi Ojeda-Poot, 29, with addresses listed as 1024 Franklin St. and 2129 Brandon Lane, Rocky Mount, N.C.
* Jose Ginez Hernandez, 27, of 103 Way Faring Drive.
* Reyes Cruz Raminez, age unavailable, of 556 Smithfield Ave.
* Israel Arellano-Arellano, 38, address unavailable.
Sibert said last month that all of the suspects involved in the alleged drug ring face sentences ranging from five years to life in prison.
The remaining suspects who have not been indicted in U.S. District Court face state charges:
* Arturo Perez-Garcia, 25, of 116 Keswick Court, charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled for a bond hearing in Frederick County General District Court on Dec. 21.
* Juan Charqueru Hernandez, 29, of 641 Dunlap St., on a charge of possession of cocaine.
* Juan Pablo Guitierrez-Barrados, 29, of 125 Lamden St., on a charge of aggravated re-entry.
* Jose Barrado-Lopez, 28, of 126 Brigstock Lane, Apartment 12, on a charge of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
* Magdalena Lopez-Mendoza, 33, of 641 Dunlap St., charged with possession of cocaine. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Winchester General District Court on Jan. 23.
* Antonio Barrados, 30, of 126 Brigstock Drive, Apartment 12, on a charge of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
* Oscar Salazar Martinez, 18, of 701 Van Fossen St., charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
* Fidel Cruz-Ramirez, 35, of 1024 Franklin St., charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Winchester General District Court on Jan. 9
* Sain Sanchez, 21, of 1024 Franklin St., charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9. in Winchester General District Court.
* Adolfo Roeigues-Valaquez, 22, of 701 Van Fossen St., on a charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
* Jose Medrano, 50, of 113 Trade Winds Drive, charged with possession of cocaine. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Frederick County General District Court on Jan. 16.
* Juan Evangelista Medrino-Barres, 20, of 113 Trade Winds Drive, on a charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
* Kevin Coello-Galearo, 23, of 103 Way Faring Drive, charged with possession of fraudulent documents.
— Contact Erica M. Bush at
ebush@winchesterstar.com
http://www.winchesterstar.com/article_d ... cleID=3273
