Skip to main content
Press Release

Five Individuals Found Guilty of Drug Trafficking, Firearms Violations, and Three Murders

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal jury convicted Luis Carmona-Bernacet, a.k.a. “Canito Cumbre”; Yadiel Serrano-Canales, a.k.a. “Motombo”; Alan Lugo-Montalvo; Fabiany Almestica-Monge; and Rolando Rivera-Solis today for drug trafficking, firearms violations and three murders, including the murder of banker Maurice Spagnoletti on June 15, 2011.

Convictions:

Luis Carmona-Bernacet, a.k.a. “Canito Cumbre”- guilty of Count one (Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances); Count two (Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime); Count three (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of William Castro-Vidot). Defendant was found not guilty of Count four (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of René Cruz-Cuadrado); Count 5 (Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in the Murder of Maurice Spagnoletti).

Yadiel Serrano-Canales, a.k.a. “Motombo”- Guilty of Counts 1, 2, and 5.

Alan Lugo-Montalvo- Guilty of Count 1. Not guilty of Count 2.

Fabiany Almestica-Monge- Guilty of Counts 1 and 2.

Rolando Rivera-Solis- Guilty of Counts 1, 2 and 5.  

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, since the year 2000 and continuing up to 2014, in the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Guaynabo, and Bayamón, the defendants were members of an enterprise engaged in murder and drug trafficking.

Four defendants were found guilty of using firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes.  One defendant was found guilty with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of William Castro on December 30, 2002. In regard to the murder of Maurice Spagnoletti, defendants Serrano-Canales and Rivera-Solis aided and abetted each other with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of Maurice Spagnoletti.

A sixth defendant, Alex Burgos-Amaro is scheduled to begin trial on a later date.

The sentencing hearings are scheduled for August 11, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón-Matos, Alberto López-Rocafort, Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández, and Gregory Conner are prosecuting the case.

###

Updated May 11, 2023

Topics
Violent Crime
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses