Alleged Members of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy Arrested on Federal Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office December 11, 2012 |
DALLAS—Following a law enforcement operation led this morning by special agents with the FBI, five defendants, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, have been arrested and are in federal custody, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas and Diego G. Rodriguez, Special Agent in Charge of Dallas FBI.
Specifically, the indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Dallas last week and unsealed today, alleges that since May 2012, the below-named defendants conspired to: 1) distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; 2) distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; and 3) distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Cesar Ismael Hernandez, 40
- Jose Adrian Escareno, Jr., 23
- Cesar Hernandez, Jr., 20
- Jesus Ernesto Hernandez, 38
- Steven Boris Wallace, 38
The defendants, all residents of the Metroplex, will make their initial appearances tomorrow afternoon in federal court in Dallas before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney. All will remain in federal custody pending detention hearing set for later in the week.
A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted of the methamphetamine charge; however, the maximum statutory penalty for the conspiracy offense charged is not less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10 million fine. If convicted of the marijuana and cocaine distribution charges, the maximum statutory penalty for the conspiracy offense charged is not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. In addition, the indictment includes a forfeiture allegation which would require the defendants, if convicted, to forfeit to the U.S. all proceeds obtained as a result of their offense.