News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 27, 2012
Contact: SA Laila Rico
Public Information Officer
Number: (787) 277-4700

DEA, Marshalls Arrest Fugitive Pizarro-Garcia
-DEA Investigation: Participated in conspiracy to commit violent acts that resulted in murder-

February 27 (San Juan, PR) - On February 24, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with the United States Marshal’s Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, arrested fugitive Charles Pizarro-Garcia. Pizarro-Garcia was located at an exclusive apartment building in Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Pizarro-Garcia was later processed and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Facility in Guaynabo, PR where he is awaiting his initial appearance before a federal judge in the District of Puerto Rico.

In January 2012, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a seven count indictment for Oscar Sanchez-Martinez, Estevan Hernandez-Claudio a.k.a.: “Salsa,” Charles Pizarro-Garcia a.k.a.: “Char” a.k.a.: “Negro,” Anthony Gonzalez-Vega a.k.a.: “Toti.” In February 2012, a superseding indictment was issued, which included Oscar Valdes-Garcia a.k.a.: “Poni,” Emanuel Rodriguez-Isaac a.k.a.: “Manuelito,” and Wilmer Nieves-Correa a.k.a.: “Pichi.” These individuals were charged with violations of Title 21 USC 841 (a) (1), 846, and 860 (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute), Title 18 USC 36 (b) (1) and (2) (drive-by shooting resulting in death), 924 (use and carry of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death), 924 (o) and 924 (a) (2) (possession of a machinegun). This indictment is one of the first indictments conducted in the District of Puerto Rico in which the drive-by shooting statue was utilized.

An investigation led by DEA alleges that the above listed individuals conspired to commit acts of violence in furtherance of their goal to take over the drug distribution within the Manuel A. Perez Public Housing Project. These acts of violence resulted in the murder of a rival drug trafficker and to inflict injury to others within the public housing project.

All of the above indicted individuals aside from Wilmer Nieves-Correa a.k.a.: “Pichi,” have been captured.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys’ (AUSA) Sean Torriente and Bryan Kidd. An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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