Two Men Arrested in Montgomery Following Multi-Agency Investigation

Montgomery, Alabama - Daniel Garcia, aka “Cholo” 41, and Jhony Hernandez, aka “Manuel Barrior Ramirez” 23, both from Mexico, were arrested in Montgomery on October 29, 2015, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.

       The arrests came after a lengthy investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations into drug trafficking and prostitution in Alabama and elsewhere.  Both Garcia and Hernandez have been charged in a federal indictment alleging that they possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Middle District of Alabama.  Garcia is alleged to have possessed and distributed both cocaine and methamphetamine.  Hernandez is alleged to have possessed and distributed methamphetamine.  Neither man has been charged in the prostitution aspect of the case.

       For these crimes, Garcia could face up to twenty years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine for his alleged cocaine possession.  For his alleged methamphetamine possession, Garcia could face imprisonment for not less than ten years and up to a $10,000,000 fine.   Hernandez, for his methamphetamine possession, could face imprisonment for not less than five years and up to a $5,000,000 fine.

       An arrest is merely a method of charging a defendant and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant=s guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

       This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including the State Bureau of Investigations, Department of Public Safety, and the Fusion Center, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, Prattville Police Department, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Central Alabama Drug Task Force, Auburn Police Department, Millbrook Police Department, Dothan Police Department, Alabama National Guard Counterdrug Program, Albertville Police Department, Marshall County District Attorney’s Office, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County Against Domestic Violence Coalition, and the 19^th Circuit District Attorney’s Office.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Verne Speirs and Ben Baxley.