A Palm Beach County resident, wanted on charges out of the Southern District of Florida for his alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy, was arrested yesterday in Arkansas.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Amos Rojas, Jr., United States Marshal, United States Marshals Service, Carlos Canino, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), made the announcement.

On February 5, 2015, Samuel David Alvarado, a/k/a “Wham,” 35, of Lake Worth, and thirty-eight co-defendants were charged in a fourteen count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute various narcotics, including cocaine base, heroin, and/or cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 846. If convicted, Alvarado faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Alvarado allegedly fled the Southern District of Florida prior to his arrest on the indictment. A warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

Following his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Arkansas, Alvarado will be returned to the Southern District of Florida to face all charges contained in the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the United States Marshals Service in Florida and Arkansas, ATF, FBI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rinku Tribuiani and Robert Waters.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.