Federal And State Authorities Arrest Eight In Connection With Gonzales Cocaine, Heroin And Methamphetamine Distribution Operation
SAN ANTONIO - This morning, federal and state authorities arrested six individuals, including 27-year-old ringleader David Anthony Navejar, in connection with a drug distribution network operating in Gonzales, TX, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph A. Arabit, Houston Division, and Gonzales Police Chief Tim Crow.
Other Gonzales residents arrested today include: 26-year-old Derek Jesse Navarro; 23-year-old Kelvin Lionel (aka “Goober”); 28-year-old Samantha M. Gonzales; 24-year-old Luis Vazquez; and, 37-year-old Christopher Camarillo.
Those six defendants along with 22-year-old David Airhart and 36-year-old Lillian Sanmiguel, two Gonzales residents who were both arrested last month, are charged in a federal grand jury indictment unsealed today with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The 10-count indictment also contains various substantive drug possession charges and two firearms charges. Navejar and Camarillo are each charged with possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime. According to the indictment, on December 17, 2013, Navejar allegedly possessed a 9mm pistol and on June 3, 2014, Camarillo allegedly possessed a .380 caliber pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber rifle during drug trafficking crimes. The indictment also seeks a monetary judgment in the amount of $500,000, representing the proceeds of the alleged criminal enterprise.
Upon conviction of the conspiracy charge, the defendants face between 10 years and life in federal prison. Navejar and Camarillo each face a consecutive minimum prison sentence of five years upon conviction of the firearm charge.
To date, authorities have seized approximately 26 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 28 pounds of cocaine, two pounds of heroin and $80,000 in U.S. currency in connection with this investigation.
These charges and arrests resulted from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gonzales Police Department with assistance from the following agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshals Service; Sheriff’s Departments from Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzalez and Kendall counties; Police Departments from Balcones Heights, Boerne, New Braunfels and San Antonio; Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General’s Office; and, the Texas National Guard. Assistant United States Attorney Sam Ponder is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 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.
