Member Of A Major Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy Is Sentenced To Serve 18 Years In Federal Prison On Conspiracy And Money Laundering Convictions
DALLAS - A member of a major methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and elsewhere since October 2012, was sentenced this afternoon in federal court in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
Adiel Fuentes, a/k/a “Mack,” 34, of Dallas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis to 216 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 180 months in federal prison for conspiring to launder monetary instruments. Judge Solis ordered the sentences run concurrently. Fuentes previously agreed to forfeit a vehicle and two firearms.
This summer, the local cell head of the conspiracy, Gerardo Cisneros, aka “Tatuado,” “Gera,” and “Jerry,” 27, was sentenced by Judge Solis to serve a total of 20 years in federal prison. Cisneros pleaded guilty in October 2013 to the same offenses and agreed to forfeit five vehicles and a firearm.
Fuentes and Cisneros have been in custody since their arrest in August 2013 when special agents with the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and other law enforcement members executed numerous arrest warrants for defendants charged in the methamphetamine conspiracy as outlined in a federal indictment returned the previous month. The methamphetamine was imported into the U.S. from Mexico, and it was delivered to the Dallas area for distribution.
According to documents filed in the case, Cisneros acted as the local cell head of the conspiracy. He worked with co-defendants to set up a receipt and distribution center for controlled substances, including methamphetamine and marijuana. Cisneros admitted that he received and distributed methamphetamine in multi-kilo quantities, collected money from his customers and returned money to his supply source in Mexico. Cisneros admitted sending money to Mexico via couriers to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership or control of the drug proceeds.
Fuentes admitted collecting drug proceeds at Cisneros’ request and delivering the drug proceeds to Cisneros so that Cisneros would continue to supply Fuentes and others with the methamphetamine.
Fuentes and Cisneros also admitted conspiring to launder money. During this conspiracy, they collected drug proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine and sent the money to individuals in Mexico. The money was sent to Mexico so that their source of supply would continue to send them methamphetamine and so that they could continue to profit from their illegal activity.
Twenty-four defendants were charged in the conspiracy. The case against one defendant was dismissed, and one defendant is awaiting trial. All other captured defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing.
This Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) case was investigated by the DEA, the Dallas Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Department, Garland Police Department, Rockwall Police Department and the Arlington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal is leading the prosecution with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Poe and John DeLaGarza.
