Member Of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced To Prison For Role In Large Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

LAS VEGAS – A member of the Pomona Sur Lokotes (PSL) drug trafficking organization was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his leadership role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Nevada.

Luis Arellano, aka “Lewis Arellano” and “Laughter,” (31) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

According to court documents, in December 2019, law enforcement began investigating Arellano and other members of PSL. The evidence showed that Arellano was responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in Las Vegas. He also directed other members to import methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Las Vegas.

Co-defendants Jacqueline Martinez (31) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 78 months in prison; Amelio Che Medina (45) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 97 months in prison; Anna Barrios (34) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Victor Manuel Rodriguez, aka “Smokey” (39) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 months in prison. Co-defendants Ivan Salazar, aka “Evil,” (40) and Domingo Montes, aka “JR,” (36) pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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