Two investigations in Waco net 16 arrests today on federal firearms and narcotic trafficking charges
HOUSTON -- Federal and state authorities announced the arrests of 16 individuals stemming from two separate investigations into narcotics trafficking in the Waco and Bell County, Texas areas Sept. 13, 2019.
The first investigation resulted in nine arrests and three prior arrests based on five federal grand jury indictments unsealed today in Waco. During this investigation, authorities seized approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, approximately $50,000 in U.S. Currency, four firearms (including a Mini Draco AK47 assault style pistol), several pounds of marijuana and several hundred THC vaping pens. Also in regards to this investigation, authorities seized seven firearms, including two AR-15’s (one with night vision equipment), one AK47 pistol, and one AK47 rifle, and approximately $3,600 in U.S. Currency.
XAVIER ANGELO HERNANDEZ, et al. INDICTMENT – W19cr258
This indictment charges eight (8) defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Waco area since September 2018. Each defendant faces between ten years and life in federal prison upon conviction. Individuals charged in the Hernandez indictment include:
Name Age Residence
Xavier Angelo Hernandez (aka “X”) 23 Waco
**Steven Matthew Ochoa 29 Waco
Julio Cesar Cruz 26 Waco
Martin Zuniga, Jr. 19 Waco
Gaspar Sardaneta Martinez (aka “Garza”) 28 Waco
Carline Stone Bolding 49 Elm Mott, TX
Cheryl Ann Flanagan (aka “Cheryl Guajardo “) 40 Waco
Sabrina Maria Sardaneta 28 Robinson, TX
CHRISTOPHER MIKEL CLARK INDICTMENT – W19cr256
This indictment charges Christopher Mikel Clark (aka “Little Chris”), age 20 of Waco, with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Clark faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison upon conviction. In June 2019, authorities executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence where they recovered marijuana and a Mini Draco AK47 assault style pistol.
JOSEPH RYAN EDWARDS INDICTMENT – W19cr257
This indictment charges Joseph Ryan Edwards, age 26 of Waco, with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Edwards faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison upon conviction. During a traffic stop in June 2019, law enforcement searched the defendant’s vehicle and found a .380 caliber pistol, 41 THC Oil pens, and approximately $2,900.00 in U.S. Currency.
STEVEN MATTHEW OCHOA INDICTMENT – W19cr260
This indictment charges previously named defendant, Steven Ochoa, with one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine. Ochoa faces between five years and 40 years in federal prison upon conviction. In August 2019, Ochoa was arrested with four (4) kilos of cocaine and approximately $16,000 in
U.S. Currency.
AMOR ESPERANZA ZUNIGA, et al. INDICTMENT – W19CR271
This indictment charges **Amor Esperanza Zuniga (aka “Stony Zuniga”), age 19 of Waco, with one count of possession with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also charges Zuniga and **Heraclio Santos Carreon, age 41 of Waco, with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Each drug charge calls for between five years and 40 years in federal prison upon conviction. The firearms charge calls for a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison upon conviction. During a traffic stop on
July 21, 2019, authorities searched the defendants’ vehicle and discovered approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine and an RG 14, .22 caliber revolver.
**Defendants Steven Ochoa, Amor Zuniga and Heraclio Carreon were already in custody prior to today.
The second investigation, conducted by TXDPS, FBI, DEA and HSI, resulted in seven (7) arrests today stemming from a single federal grand jury indictment unsealed today in Waco.
GERMAN ZARZOZA MORENO, et al. INDICTMENT – W19cr259
Today, authorities arrested seven (7) individuals charged in this indictment. They are:
Name Age Residence
German Zarzoza Moreno 33 Temple, TX
Raul Montes 47 Galena Park, TX
Jaime Estrada, Jr. 20 Temple
Jesus Alberto Garcia Zuniga 25 Temple
Erik Enrique Hernandez 32 Temple
Luis Carlos Jimenez, Jr. 26 Temple
Ezequiel Orozco 29 Temple
This indictment charges Moreno, Montes and Estrada with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Zuniga and Hernandez are only charged in the cocaine conspiracy count. Jimenez and Orozco are only charged in the methamphetamine conspiracy count. Those charged in the methamphetamine conspiracy face between ten years and life in federal prison upon conviction. Those charged in the cocaine conspiracy face between five and 40 years in federal prison. Under the direction of Moreno and
Montes, the defendants allegedly distributed cocaine and methamphetamine in the Temple area since May 2018.
In regards to this investigation, authorities conducted a coordinated search/arrest operation today in the Temple and Houston areas. Today’s operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 2,853 grams of cocaine, 8.4 grams of ecstasy, and 31.9 grams of marijuana. Authorities also seized a .45 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol, a false battery compartment, a kilogram press, and several other items indicative of distribution and transportation of cocaine and methamphetamine.
The U.S. Marshals Service provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. All of those arrested today remain in federal custody. Detention hearings are expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Blanton and Stephanie Smith-Burris are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.
