Federal And State Authorities Arrest Total Of 38 Individuals Based On San Antonio Federal Drug Trafficking Indictments
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - This morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested a dozen individuals without incident, including San Antonio Eastside-based ringleader Donavin Sanchez, on federal drug charges stemming from a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking investigation announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division, Steven Whipple, United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; and, Texas Department of Safety Director Steve McCraw. Below is a complete list of defendants resulting from this investigation.
Since June 2017, a federal grand jury in San Antonio has returned (3) indictments charging 38 individuals in connection with this investigation. The indictments, including the latest one which was unsealed today, charges all 38 defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Several of the defendants face additional charge(s), namely, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Upon conviction, the defendants face sentences of either up to 20 years in federal prison, between 5 and 40 years in federal prison, or up to life in federal prison depending on the amount of heroin or methamphetamine involved.
According to the indictments, the defendants were allegedly involved in a scheme to distribute narcotics, namely methamphetamine, heroin and other opioids, in San Antonio. During this investigation, authorities have seized approximately (6) kilograms of heroin, 14.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, three firearms, and approximately $182,000 in U.S. Currency attributed to this organization.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities. DEA, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in San Antonio and throughout Texas, remain vigilant in our pursuit of drug trafficking organizations who threaten our community safety. These arrests send a strong and unified message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our communities and those who commit these offenses will be brought to justice,” stated DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Whipple.
“Organized crime and drug trafficking are a serious threat to public safety in Texas, and DPS vigilantly works alongside our law enforcement partners to detect, deter and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities,” said DPS Regional Commander Freeman Martin. “This long-term investigation is an ideal example of how law enforcement at all levels works together to put criminals behind bars and protect Texans.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration-San Antonio Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted this investigation together with the Seguin Police Department, Castle Hills Police Department, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and San Antonio Police Department.
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.
U.S. v. Donavin Sanchez, et al. SA17cr633 * denotes already in custody prior to today
Name Age Residence Arrest Date Counts
Donavin Sanchez 23 San Antonio 8.23.17 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Edwin Jiminez 62 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
John Sallin 47 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
Edward Alejandro 30 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
Melissa Carrera 39 San Antonio 8.23.17 1,2,6,7,8
Roger Troy Sanchez 25 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
Chenille Lujan 84 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
Michelle Sallin 23 San Antonio 8.23.17 1,3,5
Alexander Nichols 26 San Antonio 8.23.17 1,4,5
Marko Cadena 21 San Antonio 8.23.17 1,9
Kenneth Dickens 60 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
Conception Segura 30 San Antonio 8.23.17 1
*Luis Antonio Rodriguez 32 San Antonio 8.4.17 1,10
U.S. v. Christian Gallegos, et al. SA17cr507
*Christian Gallegos 28 San Antonio 6.2.17 1,3,4
*Edgar Portales 24 San Antonio 6.29.17 1,2,3,4
*Irene Portales 28 San Antonio 6.29.17 1
*Crystal DeLaGarza 25 San Antonio 6.29.17 1
*Yoan Loya-Morales 35 San Antonio 6.2.17 1,3,4
*Larry Ozuna 26 San Antonio 6.2.17 1,3,4
*Roberto Gonzalez 34 San Antonio 6.29.17 1,2
*Adrian Dominguez 20 San Antonio 6.29.17 1
*Issac Cardenas 27 San Antonio 7.17.17 1
*Paul Chacon 46 San Antonio 6.29.17 1
*Alberto Otenco-Ramos 34 San Antonio 6.2.17 1
U.S. v. Mike Flores, Jr., et al. SA17cr632
*Mike Flores, Jr. 45 San Antonio 8.3.17 1,2,4,5,8,9
*Oscar Llanes 46 San Antonio 8.17.17 1,4,5
*Genaro Requejo 61 San Antonio 7.26.17 1,4,5,6,7
*Richard Pierce 48 San Antonio 8.17.17 1
*Robert Solis 54 San Antonio 8.17.17 1
*Ricardo Hernandez 69 San Antonio 8.17.17 1
*Adolfo Cruz 42 San Antonio 8.17.17 1,4,5
*Joe Anthony Valenzuela 37 San Antonio 7.20.17 1,2,3
*Christina Maciel 35 San Antonio 8.17.17 1
*Pedro Martinez-Espinoza 32 San Antonio 8.17.17 1,4,5
*Leonidas Ortiz 27 San Antonio 7.29.17 1,4,5,8
*Joseph John Molina 38 San Antonio 7.29.17 1,8
*Charles Ortiz 49 San Antonio 8.3.17 1,10
*Pedro Requejo 68 San Antonio 8.3.17 1,9
