Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Role in Meth Trafficking Conspiracy Linked to Cartel
ST. PAUL – Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, aka “Homie,” 34, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The defendant was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on September 9, 2026.
According to court documents, Diaz-Aguilar managed the “Diaz-Aguilar Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO)” and is a member of the Sureños, a transnational criminal organization originating in Southern California. He is one of several defendants in United States v. Diaz-Aguilar et al.
Other defendants in the case include:
Juan Martin Elvira Jr., of Rochester, Minnesota, sentenced to 75 months in prison on June 11, 2026, for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
Edward Gonzalez, of Hastings, Minnesota, sentenced to 120 months in prison on June 3, 2026, for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
Eric Anthony Rodriguez, of St. Paul, Minnesota, sentenced to 260 months in prison on August 13, 2026, following a six-day trial where he was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
Bruce Michael Orton, of North Branch, Minnesota, sentenced to 140 months in prison on June 16, 2026, for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
According to court documents, in the summer of 2024, law enforcement began investigating suspected methamphetamine trafficking in Rochester, Minnesota. In August 2024, agents executed a search warrant at a coconspirator’s residence and found approximately 7.6 pounds of methamphetamine, 1,500 M-30 fentanyl pills, a variety of marijuana products, cellphones, and nearly $8,000 in cash. A review of the coconspirator’s phone revealed messages with “Homie,” the coconspirator’s methamphetamine supplier, with transactions going back to April 2024. Agents later determined that “Homie” was Diaz-Aguilar.
From October 2024 through January 2025, law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Diaz-Aguilar and executed a search warrant at a stash house in Hastings, Minnesota, where agents found a bulk quantity of methamphetamine and used drug packaging that demonstrated hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine had recently traveled through the house.
In December 2024, Diaz-Aguilar traveled to Chicago with two coconspirators to obtain a bulk quantity of methamphetamine and traveled in a two-vehicle convoy back to Minnesota. Police stopped the vehicle driven by one of the defendant’s coconspirators, Edward Gonzalez, and located approximately 42 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk.
Agents later executed a search warrant at Diaz-Aguilar’s residence and seized his phones. Investigators found messages between the defendant and another coconspirator, Bruce Orton, about drug transactions dating back to August 2023 including discussions on pricing and the defendant’s access to 170 pounds of methamphetamine. Agents also found a ledger in Diaz-Aguilar’s closet that contained sales entries of bulk quantities of methamphetamine to others.
“Today, the ringleader of an organization responsible for flooding our streets with methamphetamine was brought to justice,” said DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie. “No one is above the law and today’s sentencing is yet another reminder that DEA will work tirelessly to take these criminals and their poisons out of our neighborhoods.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who traffic deadly narcotics in Minnesota will be met with decisive action. My office remains fully committed to protecting the public by dismantling the criminal networks that put our communities at risk,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
“The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SEMVCET) work collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies to disrupt and dismantle Drug Trafficking Organizations. This case is one example of positive outcomes achieved when working together. Minnesota and beyond are safer with these dangerous drugs off the streets and the suspects held accountable,” said Tim Parkin, Captain of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Commander of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Minnesota State Patrol, Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, East Central Minnesota Drug Task Force, Hastings Police Department, Rochester Police Department, Cannon River Drug Task Force, and the New Prague Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Raphael B. Coburn and William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case.
