News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2007
Contact: SA Mike Turner, PIO
Number: 303-705-7446

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Nine Colorado Defendants For Drug Trafficking Boulder, Colorado Drug Distribution Organization Arrested

DEC 12 -- (Denver, CO) – Jeffrey D. Sweetin, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Rocky Mountain Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Troy A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff, and Paul D. Schultz, Lafayette Police Chief, announced that a federal grand jury in Denver returned an indictment charging Shawn Caekaert, Benjamin Fresquez Jr., Eleanor Fresquez, George Fresquez, Matthew Fresquez, David Michael Romero, Michael Townsend, Alanna Turnbaugh, and Samuel Vigil with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, namely, methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, diazepam, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. The defendants are also charged in substantive counts. The twenty-one count indictment charges that the defendants distributed and possessed controlled substances from March 2006 through September 2007.

The indictment is the result of an eighteen month undercover and wiretap investigation conducted by the DEA and the multi-agency Boulder County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Louisville Police Department, Erie Police Department, the University of Colorado Police Department, and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation revealed that members of the Fresquez family and others were responsible for the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription narcotics, and marijuana throughout the Boulder County and Denver metropolitan area. If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum of forty years imprisonment.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffery D. Sweetin stated, "DEA is proud to be a part of the investigative effort to successfully dismantle this criminal organization that had operated untouched in the Boulder/Lafayette area for well over 20 years."

“Removing this criminal drug enterprise from the Boulder area wasn’t easy, but it needed to happen,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. “This is what it’s all about - state, local and federal agencies working together to make the community safer.”

"Boulder County law enforcement agencies are grateful for the support of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's Office in helping us take down this organization. This was a lengthy and complex investigation, and beyond the capacity of any one local police agency to handle independently. This case is another wonderful example of teamwork and collaboration between federal and local law enforcement, and will have a long term impact on the distribution of a wide variety of drugs in the southeast part of Boulder County and neighboring communities," said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.

Lafayette Police Chief Paul Schultz stated, "This investigation is an excellent example of several law enforcement agencies working well together."

This case is being prosecuted by AUSA Michele R. Korver. The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.