DALLAS -- Nearly 50 people have been arrested in a drug sting operation by the FBI, Dallas Police Department and the criminal investigation unit of the IRS.
Acting U.S. States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas John R. Parker said Wednesday that 46 people, some who were employees at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, had been arrested for distribution conspiracy involving Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Heroin, as well as other related charges.
All 46 defendants are appearing in court Wednesday morning. They've been identified as:
David Silva Garcia, a/k/a "Animo," 29
David de los Santos, 51
Melvin Ray Williams, a/k/a "Black," 35
Amber Vasquez, 31
Mia Vasquez
Israel Vasquez, 43
Jose Guerrero, a/k/a "J.D.," 37
Francisco Gallegos, Jr., a/k/a "Panchito," "Pan," 32
Roberto Ramirez, 36
Gerardo Reyes, 34
Jason Eric Stotts, 43
Octavius Donnell Williams, 30
Javier Guerra, a/k/a "Chop," 32
Tony Ruvalcaba, a/k/a "Lil Tony," 38
Eusebio Martinez Ramirez, Jr., a/k/a "Sip," 48
Eduardo Ruvalcaba, a/k/a "Lalo," 29
Kenneth Johnson, a/k/a "KJ," 27
Alex Gonzales
Noel Escamilla, 33
Adrian Miramontez, 33
Rolando Benitez, a/k/a "San Luis," 33
Juan Ayala, 26
Juan Manuel Arellano, 34
Jose Amaya, 41
Funaki Falahola, a/k/a "Noc," 33
Moniteveti Katoa, a/k/a "Vince," 51
Mayra Lopez, 21
Luke Lamipeti, 30
David Lopez, 39
Jesse Alcala, 37
Juan Zuniga, a/k/a "Z," 38
Corey Nelson, 38
Paul Salazar, 32
Demarcus Calhoun, 33
George Guerra, 38
Nicholas Mayes, 31
Rudolpho Mayes, a/k/a "Rudy," 38
Albert Juarez, 38
Marcus Demon Hardy, 30
Rodney Tilley, 36
Molitoni Katoa, a/k/a "Tony," 33
Vilisolo Lamipeti, 33
Janelle Isaacs, 40
Rosamaria Blanco, 37
Roberto Vasquez, Jr., 31
Ernest Olivarez, 33
A federal grand jury indictment came down last month and included charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin for most of the defendants, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Eight people are charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and there's at least one count of money laundering and making a false statement in a passport application.
"The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation that would require each defendant, upon conviction, to forfeit to the U.S. any property involved in, or traceable to property involved in, their offense," Parker said.
Four of the defendants allegedly used their jobs at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to bypass security and put drugs on commercial flights. They are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
The defendants each face up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Making a false statement in a passport application comes with 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
