United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Richard Orlinski “Sugar” Sanchez, 44, of Dexter, New Mexico, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Oct. 12.

On Aug. 26, 2021, Sanchez pleaded guilty to: one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine; one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine; four counts of distribution of 50 grams and more of methamphetamine; 25 counts of use of a communication facility to further the commission of a drug trafficking crime; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of distribution of 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of distribution of 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of distribution of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of causing a financial institution to fail to file a report; one count of money laundering conspiracy; one count of money laundering, aiding and abetting; one count of distribution of 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting; one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of such crime.

In his plea agreement, Sanchez admitted that between February and August of 2020, he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Roswell, New Mexico, and launder the proceeds from their drug trafficking activity. Sanchez admitted to receiving shipments of methamphetamine, arranging sales of methamphetamine, delivering methamphetamine, and selling methamphetamine. Sanchez sometimes used telephones to arrange sales or delivery of methamphetamine, in violation of federal law.

Sanchez acknowledged that he had committed money laundering by using drug trafficking proceeds as a down payment to purchase a Yukon Denali, but had the paperwork for the purchase in his mother’s name to avoid scrutiny as he had no legitimate source of income. Sanchez also asked an employee at the dealership to falsify the paperwork for the purchase so that the dealership would not have to file a legally required report showing that Sanchez had provided over $10,000 to the dealership.

On Aug. 10, 2020, Sanchez fled from law enforcement after hiding a dogfood bag filled with 11.818 net kilograms of pure methamphetamine. As he fled, Sanchez threw another 86.9 grams of pure methamphetamine, a gun and a loaded magazine out of his vehicle, while still in possession of another loaded gun and $9,188 in cash. At that time, Sanchez was a previously convicted felon and could not legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Upon his release from prison, Sanchez will be subject to five years of supervised release.

Codefendant Ignacio “Nacho” Chavez was sentenced on Aug. 30 to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Juan “Moe” Florez was sentenced on May 26 to 13 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Antonio Acosta was sentenced on Aug. 31 to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Randy Reid was sentenced on July 19 to five years and 10 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Naomi Najar was sentenced on Aug. 19, 2021, to seven years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. John Michael “Mike” Esquibel was sentenced on Aug. 31 to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Richard Ortega was sentenced on Aug. 31 to three years in prison followed by two years of supervised release. Gordon Moss was sentenced on April 27 to three years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ruben Morones was sentenced on May 26 to 10 years and one month in prison followed by five years of supervised release. John Lopez was sentenced on Nov. 21, 2021, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Melissa Medina was sentenced on June 16 to two years of probation. Krystyna Sanchez was sentenced on Aug. 31 to two years of probation.

Juan Silvas pleaded guilty on Aug. 10, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and remains in custody pending sentencing.

This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

The investigation included agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force and IRS Criminal Investigation.

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Roswell Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Chaves County Sherriff’s Office. The HIDTA Pecos Valley Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department and Artesia Police Department. Both are part of the New Mexico HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.

The Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting this case.

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