Five Indicted on Drug Distribution Charges

An indictment was unsealed today charging Alfredo Sierra Landis, Edwin Rodriguez, Layano Sierra Landis, Wilson Vigo, and Maria Vigo with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, and distribution of these substances within 1,000 feet of a school, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin. Defendants Alfredo Sierra Landis, Edwin Rodriguez and Layano Sierra Landis were also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, while defendants Wilson Vigo and Maria Vigo were also charged with maintaining a residence to distribute and store controlled substances. Earlier today, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested each of the defendants.

The indictment charges that from July 2009, to April 2010, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to sell controlled substances, and that the defendants sold crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana out of a house located on the 800 block of North Eighth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The defendants’ drug sales also occurred within 1,000 feet of a public elementary school, the Washington Elementary School, located at 837 North Ninth Street in Allentown.

                                 INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANTS

If convicted of all charges, defendant Alfredo Sierra Landis faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison, 10 years’ to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $152 million, and a special assessment of $5,800.

Defendant Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, five years’ to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $33.5 million, and a special assessment of $2,800.

Defendant Layano Sierra Landis faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, five years’ to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $10 million, and a special assessment of $600.

Defendant Wilson Vigo faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, five years’ to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $12.5 million, and a special assessment of $800.

Defendant Maria Vigo faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, five years’ to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $8.5 million, and a special assessment of $400.

This case is part of the “222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative,” a federally funded program designed to defeat some of the most violent and pervasive gangs in the country. The “222 Corridor” includes the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Reading, Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg. The initiative combines federal, state, and local law enforcement resources to attack gang crime and violence throughout the corridor.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, the Allentown Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Schell.