United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK - Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York (DEA), and Delano A. Reid, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and (ATF), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment in Manhattan federal court charging 17 individuals with narcotics-related offenses.  Fifteen of those charged were arrested this morning in the Southern District of New York and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Frank Maas later today.  One defendant was arrested in the District of Maine this morning and will be presented there later today.

According to the allegations in the Indictment:

Between late 2012 and December 2015, Mario Herrera, a/k/a “Mo,” John Miranda, Joel Casado, a/k/a “Cojo,” Cesar Dominguez, Joel Quezada, a/k/a “J-Buff,” Jonathan Morales, a/k/a “Blood,” and Oliveros Villareal conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana.  This charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The Indictment also charges that between late 2012 and December 2015, Herrera, Miranda, Casado, Dominguez,  Quezada, Thomas Abreu, a/k/a “TJ,” Jonathan Golden, a/k/a “Johnny,” Cynthia Urra, Debra Monche, Ezequil Nin, a/k/a “Seki,” Andrew Seibert, a/k/a “Blue,” Carlos Alvarez-Gonzalez, a/k/a “Pops,” Keith Woodards, Alexander Carno, and Kevin Skeete conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.  This charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and the ATF.  He also thanked the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Secret Service for their assistance throughout the investigation.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina Castellano, Jordan Estes, and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.