News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2008
Contact: Joanna Zoltay
Number: 312-886-2597

Southern Indiana Poly-Drug Organization Dismantled
28 Indicted On Federal Charges

JAN 24 -- (Evansville, IN) - Today, in excess of 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement executed ten federal search warrants and one state search warrant at locations in Evansville, Indianapolis, and Jasper, Indiana. Approximately $140,000 cash was seized, along with 6 kilograms of cocaine, two pounds of methamphetamine and 8 firearms. Twenty-five individuals are in federal custody and 3 subjects are fugitives. Today’s law enforcement activity brings the long term investigation seizure totals to approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine, 1000 pounds of marijuana, 11 kilograms of cocaine, 15 firearms, and more than $500,000 in U.S. Currency.

The indictments were the result of a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Indianapolis Metro Drug Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Kentucky State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The investigation targeted and dismantled a poly-drug trafficking organization which operated in Indiana, Illinois, Utah, Texas, and New Mexico.

“Three drug organizations will no longer distribute drugs in Indiana,” stated Dennis A. Wichern, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Indiana offices. “This investigation exemplifies the cooperation, teamwork and professionalism of southern Indiana law enforcement.” Acting U.S. Attorney Timothy M. Morrison noted the large amounts of drugs, cash and firearms seized during the course of this investigation. “None of these agencies have enough people to cover all the facets of this investigation alone. By working together, they achieved a significant success.” Another six federal defendants are in State custody for unrelated charges and are awaiting removal to federal court.

The indictments allege that an investigation which began in May 2005, and continued until December 2007, revealed a methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana distribution organization that was operating in the Southern District of Indiana. This drug organization allegedly moved large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana from Utah, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico to Evansville and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indictment #1:
The following individuals were charged in an eight count indictment alleging the following federal violations: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; money laundering; and conspiracy to launder money:

Rosendo Barragan-Cruz, 23, aka “Pollo,” Evansville
Jose Eduardo Barragan, 22, aka “Lalo,” Evansville
Claudio Zarate-Pinon, 26, aka “Jhonatan Contreras-Rivas,” Evansville
David J. Pierce, 61, aka “Grandfather,” Albuquerque, NM
Genaro Barragan-Cruz, 27, aka “Du,” Evansville
Claudio Justo Javier-Nunez, 31, aka “Huevon,” Newburgh
Cecilia Martinez-Celis, 35, Oklahoma City, OK
Pedro A. Arana, 21, Albuquerque, NM
Yisell Salgado, 30, Newburgh, IN
Maday Carmona, 24, aka “Marucha,” Evansville
All of these individuals are in custody except for Pedro Arana, who is a fugitive.

The indictment alleges that a Mexican national supplied Rosendo Barragan-Cruz with marijuana in the Southern District of Indiana. The Mexican national would utilize couriers to deliver the marijuana to Rosendo Barragan-Cruz and to pick up the proceeds of the marijuana sales. Rosendo Barragan-Cruz would supply marijuana to various individuals in Evansville, Indiana.

Indictment #2:
The following individuals were charged in a two count indictment alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine:

Rosalio Cruz-Rea, 30, aka “Broncas,” Utah
Gerrardo Cruz-Rea, 32, aka “Gera,” Indianapolis
Manuel Santiago Moreno-Cruz, 24, aka “Choco,” Utah
Gabriel Gill, aka “Gavino,” Indianapolis
Timothy L. Morris, 45, Utah
Fredy Martinez-Palermo, 28, aka “Flaca,” Indianapolis
All of these individuals are in custody.

The indictment alleges that these subjects conspired to deliver five kilograms of cocaine to Rosalio Cruz-Rea in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rosalio Cruz-Rea would then supply cocaine to various individuals in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indictment #3:
The following individuals were charged in an eighteen count indictment alleging the following federal violations: conspiracy to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine:

Fredy Martinez-Palermo, 28, aka “Flaca,” Indianapolis
Rosalio Cruz-Rea, 30, aka “Broncas,” Utah
Manuel Gonzalez-Roja, 34, aka “Manolo,” Indianapolis
Milo Sainz, 32, aka “Chappas,” Indianapolis
Juan Sandoval-Dias, 22, aka “Morro,” Utah
Rosendo Barragan-Cruz, 23, aka “Pollo,” Evansville
Jose Eduardo Barragan, 22, aka “Lalo,” Newburgh
Claudio Zarate-Pinon, 26, aka “Jhonatan Contreras-Rivas,” Evansville
Richard L. Cansler, 33, aka “Creep,” Evansville
James Matthew Ervin, 28, aka “Moyoso,” Henderson, KY
Jorge Gutierrez-Madrigal, aka “Chaparro,” Henderson, KY
Heather R. Phillips, 32, Evansville
Phillip D. Ashby, 35, Evansville
Jose Garcia-Franco, 26, aka “Purria,” Evansville
Shawn Miguel Mendoza, 32, aka “Gomez,” Tennessee
Jason Edward Harwell, 29, Evansville
Claudio Justo Javier-Nunez, 31, aka “Huevon,” Newburgh
All of these individuals are in custody except Juan Sandoval-Dias and Shawn Miguel Mendoza, who are fugitives.

The indictment alleges that Rosendo Barragan-Cruz, Jose Eduardo Barragan, and Claudio Zarate-Pinon received methamphetamine from Indianapolis, Indiana and brought it to Evansville, Indiana for further distribution. Fredy Martinez-Palermo of Indianapolis and Rosalio Cruz-Rea of Utah were the sources of supply for the methamphetamine. Upon bringing the methamphetamine to Evansville, it would be distributed to various customers.

In January, 2008, arrest warrants for the following individuals were issued in the Southern District of Indiana based upon criminal complaints alleging their involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine. Both are in custody.

Fernando Correa, Evansville
Velia Sedillo, Evansville

If you have information as to the whereabouts of the fugitives, please call DEA at (317) 226-7977 or the U.S. Marshal Service at (317) 226-6566.

The indictments are allegations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent The public is reminded that an indictment is an allegation only, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea.

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