United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WACO, Texas - Federal and state authorities have arrested 19 individuals for their alleged roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Waco area, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt; and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants include:

Name                          Age                          Residence       Statutory Maximum Penalty
 

Rene Marquez Lopez 42                                Waco                         10 years to life imprisonment

Peter Nino                   34                                Waco                         10 years to life imprisonment

Brandon Roy Stout     34                                Waco                          10 years to life imprisonment

Lloyd Ray Gatlin        44                                Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment

**Justin Rene Hernandez 31                          Dallas                          10 years to life imprisonment

Cruz Oviedo               26                                Austin                          10 years to life imprisonment

Kyle Anthony Baker   33                                Waco                            5 to 40 years imprisonment

Juli Jenice Aleman (aka Juli Jenice Garcia) 41 Waco                        5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Devito Dembinsky 30                                Waco                              5 to 40 years imprisonment

Benito Rodriguez       37                                Waco                            5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Decedreon Miller   38                                Waco                              5 to 40 years imprisonment

Ricky Rivera               43                                Waco                            5 to 40 years imprisonment

Julian Rivera              39                                Waco                            5 to 40 years imprisonment

Shauna Gilstrap          39                                Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

James Leroy McMillion 54                             Waco                             5 to 40 years imprisonment

Brent May                   55                                Whitney, TX                 5 to 40 years imprisonment

Sandra Oviedo (aka Sandra Cardenas) 25     Austin                         5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Jesus Juan Lopez    41                                Waco                          5 to 40 years imprisonment

Nicholas Charles Caufield 43                        Waco                            5 to 40 years imprisonment

** Already in custody prior to today

Authorities allege that since January 2017, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Waco and surrounding areas.

During this investigation, authorities seized approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco.

The DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Waco Police Department are investigating this case. The U.S. Marshals Service and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.