Leader Of Ohio Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Sentenced To 14 Years In Federal Prison
DEA Investigation involved one of the largest meth seizures ever in Southern District of Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Simon Velazquez-Gonzalez, 27, formerly of Hilliard, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 170 months in prison for his role in trafficking more than nine kilograms of methamphetamine. During this investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) Agents seized more than 20 pounds of “ice,” a highly potent form of methamphetamine that tested between 98 and 100 percent pure.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Joseph P. Reagan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Detroit Field Division, announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Gregory L. Frost.
In February and March 2015, through the use of traditional investigative techniques, law enforcement agents made methamphetamine purchases from Velazquez-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators. During the course of executing search warrants at locations utilized by the drug trafficking group, law enforcement discovered a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, over $11,000 in cash, and three firearms.
Velazquez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty on July 30, 2015, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
A co-conspirator in this case, Marcelino Montoya-Sanchez, remains a fugitive. If you have information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the DEA.
U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Michael J. Hunter, who are representing the United States in this case.
