United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal and state authorities arrested 22 individuals for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution activities in the Waco and Killeen areas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Will Glaspy; United States Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs and other law enforcement partners. 

Those arrested today, along with six others who were already in custody, are charged in two separate federal grand jury indictments unsealed in Waco.

GABRIEL LUNA, et al. INDICTMENT – W18cr259

This indictment charges nine defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances including cocaine, “crack” cocaine or methamphetamine. Individuals charged in this indictment include:

The defendants are all Gangster Disciples members, led by Derrick Jacques, or their associates. The indictment alleges that these defendants distributed narcotics in Killeen and the surrounding areas since October 2015. Defendants Luna, Smith, Bush, Ellis and Jacobs allegedly conspired to distribute methamphetamine. Defendants Luna, Smith, Jacobs and Bailey allegedly conspired to distribute cocaine. Defendants Smith, Jacques, Jefferson, and Gladden allegedly conspired to distribute “crack” cocaine.

DANIEL LOUIS LOPEZ, et al. INDICTMENT – W18cr257

This indictment charges 19 defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Individuals charged in this indictment include:

Authorities allege that since May 2017, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine throughout the Waco and Central Texas areas.

In addition to the arrests, these investigations have resulted in the seizure of approximately $16,000 in U.S. currency, over five pounds of methamphetamine and 22 firearms.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco.

The DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Waco Police Department, Killeen Police Department and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office investigated these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Frazier, Christopher Blanton and Stephanie Smith-Burris are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

It is important to note that 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.

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