Arrests Made In Local Methamphetamine Ring Under The Texas Drug Law

Arrests Made In Local Methamphetamine Ring: Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments All Face Up to Life Imprisonment :Richard B. Roper, United States Attorney, and Gary Olenkiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Dallas Division, announced today that special agents of the DEA and other law enforcement officers, including members of the Dallas Police Department SWAT unit, arrested seven individuals this morning at various locations in North Texas on charges outlined in two federal indictments that were unsealed today. During the attempted execution of one of three federal search warrants, executed this morning at 1228 Oak Park in Dallas, four Dallas Police Department SWAT officers were fired upon, shot and injured.

U.S. Attorney Roper said, “This is a cruel reminder that the men and women in law enforcement put their safety and lives on the line every day for you and me. Law enforcement is a very dangerous profession and I’m praying for the speedy recovery of these brave officers who were injured today.” Gary Olenkiewicz said, “It is a tragedy whenever a member of the law enforcement community is hurt in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dallas Police Department and member of their families during this harrowing experience.”

Defendant Alejandro Tamayo was arrested this morning by Dallas Police Officers and remains in state custody. It is anticipated that he will be transferred into federal custody tomorrow and appear before the Honorable Jeff Kaplan, United States Magistrate Judge, for his initial appearance at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. Tamayo and the below-named defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine. The following individuals who were also arrested this morning made their initial appearance this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Kaplan who detained them pending a detention hearing set for next Tuesday, February 21, at 1:00 p.m.

• Alonso Avalos, age 38, of Dallas
• Pavel Nieto-Garcia, age 22, of Dallas
• Steven Cortez, age 33, of Dallas
• Wally Lupe Cobos, age 58, of Dallas
• Donovan Whitehorse, age 20, of Dallas
• Jessie Mojica, age 57, of Dallas

The indictments also charge Jorge Nieto-Garcia, Adrian Montiel, Jessie Rodriguez and Arturo Gonzalez with the same offense. These four defendants have not yet been arrested. Each of the two indictments includes a forfeiture count which would require, upon conviction, defendants Alejandro Tamayo and Wally Lupe Cobos to forfeit to the United States any real or personal property derived as a result of their offense.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on these charges, each defendant faces a statutory sentence of a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Roper thanked and praised the excellent cooperative investigative work of the North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie Police Departments. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanna O. Estessam.