California Career Offender And Co-Conspirator Sentenced To Over 18 Years For Drug Trafficking
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - David Downing, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge, and Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Frank Medina, Jr. age 32, of Moreno Valley, California and his co-conspirator, Juliana Perez, age 44, of Rogers, were sentenced today for drug trafficking charges. Medina was sentenced to 210 months in prison plus five years of supervised release for Distribution of Methamphetamine. Juliana Perez was sentenced to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. United States District Judge Timothy L. Brooks handed down the sentences in United States District Court in Fayetteville.
“This outstanding collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies illustrates the continuing unified goal to keeping our community safe,” said Downing. “Methamphetamine is a destructive poison that can cause terrible harm to the quality of life in any community. Through this investigation, DEA is holding meth dealers, as well as those who aid them, accountable for the harm they cause.”
U. S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “Our office is dedicated to ridding our communities of drug-trafficking, especially when it is committed by career offenders who bring crime and violence onto our streets and expose our kids to serious risks. We will remain focused on working with these agencies to identify and prosecute those who commit these crimes.”
According to court records, on October 16, 2013, the DEA working with the Rogers Police Department arranged for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from the defendant, Frank Medina. Meeting at a business in Rogers, Medina handed over the methamphetamine in exchange for U.S. currency. The suspected substance was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where it was confirmed to be actual methamphetamine. Medina was arrested and incarcerated at the Benton County jail where he used the inmate telephone system to call another individual and offer to sell him more methamphetamine. Medina told the individual that he would have Juliana Perez, who he was in a dating relationship with, to meet him and conduct the drug transaction. Medina then arranged the delivery with Perez from jail. On the way to deliver the methamphetamine, the vehicle in which Perez was riding was stopped for a traffic violation and a drug dog was alerted to the presence of narcotics. The vehicle was searched and suspected methamphetamine was found in Perez’ purse. The substance was sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab where it was confirmed to be actual methamphetamine. Perez admitted ownership of the meth in the purse and stated she was delivering it to Medina and was to collect and hold the money for him. Both Medina and Perez pleaded guilty to the charges in April, 2014. At sentencing, Medina was determined to be a career offender due to having at least two prior felony convictions for either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Rogers Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case for the United States.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
