BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Martin Leonel Perez Castro, also known as “Richard,” was extradited this morning to the United States from Colombia to face charges in the Eastern District of New York of leading a continuing criminal enterprise and participating in an international cocaine manufacture and distribution conspiracy. According to the...

SPOKANE, Wash. – On June 3, 2022, United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr., sentenced Lorenzo Jimenez Alanis, 47, of Mabton, Washington, to 15 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, along with downloading and possessing a large collection of child pornography. Judge Mendoza also ordered Alanis to serve five...

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division, announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Joseph S. Zaso a/k/a Joey Cracks, 38, of Buffalo, NY, and Denver J. Komenda...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division, announced that Lamar Thompkins, 35, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced...

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division, announced that Andrew Medina, 31, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to with conspiracy to possess with intent...

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division, announced today that Deshan Scott, 22, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to possession of a firearm in...

Seattle – A father and son who ran a multimillion-dollar illegal marijuana business in Monroe, Washington, were each sentenced to five-year prison terms today, on drug and money laundering charges. Kenneth Warren Rhule, 28, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana and laundering...

NEW YORK CITY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Nalerton Charles, also known as “Lite,” was sentenced by United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser to 210 months’ imprisonment for distribution and possession with intent to distribute narcotics. Charles pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2021. Breon...

NEW YORK CITY – Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, announced that Alexander Arguedas, a/k/a “Reckless,” was sentenced today to 32 years and 6 months in prison in...

SEATTLE– On April 30, 2022, communities across the country demonstrated their support for DEA’s annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by dropping off more than 720,000 pounds of unneeded medications at 5,144 collection sites. Since 2010, DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, has collected nearly 16 million pounds...