Law Enforcement Sweep Nets Individuals Charged with Meth, Cocaine, and Marijuana Distribution
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 01, 2013 |
JACKSON, TN—More than 120 law enforcement officials from 13 different agencies participated in a takedown Wednesday of a group of individuals indicted for their roles in distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana throughout West Tennessee, announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III and Brian K. Chambers, Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Memphis Office.
Thirteen individuals were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana; and one count of distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. The individuals charged are:
- Roman Morales-Garza, 55, Jackson, Tennessee
- Felicia Almodover, 39, Jackson, Tennessee
- Angel Valeriano, 42, Jackson, Tennessee
- Raul Morales, 46, Bald Knob, Arkansas
- Rodrigo Guitierrez, age unknown, Jackson, Tennessee
- Arturo Penaloza, 31, Jackson, Tennessee
- Saul Lara-Ruiz, 32, Jackson, Tennessee
- Brian Warlick, 33, Jackson, Tennessee
- Vandrian Bradford, a/k/a Vadrian Cooper, a/k/a Eric Cooper, 40, Jackson, Tennessee
- Doyle Rushing, IIII, 33, Jackson, Tennessee
- Vance Hudson, Jr., 46, Jackson, Tennessee
- Juan Javier Acosta-Melendez, 24, hometown unknown, Mexico
- Anthony McKinnis, 36, Ripley, Tennessee
If convicted, each charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to one million dollars. If any of the individuals has a prior drug conviction, the penalties increase to a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to two million dollars. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson Police Department, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies assisting the takedown included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the United States Secret Service; the West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the 25th Judicial District; and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Wilson is representing the government.