April 30, 2008
For more information contact:
Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Dixie A. Morrow
(850) 444-4000
FORMER OWNER OF GULF BREEZE “CANCUN’S” RESTAURANT
SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Pensacola, Florida - United States Attorney Gregory R. Miller, Northern District of Florida, announced today that Rogelio Galvan-Chavez, 35, of Gulf Breeze, Florida was sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, conspiracy to use a communication facility to commit a felony, concealing, harboring and shielding illegal aliens for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain, and aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by two illegal aliens.
During a week long jury trial in February, the United States proved that Galvan-Chavez led an organized crime group distributing large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in the panhandle of Florida. Galvan-Chavez obtained the drugs from a source of supply in Atlanta, Georgia, arranged for their transportation to the Florida Panhandle, and used several individuals to distribute the cocaine and methamphetamine in Northwest Florida. Galvan-Chavez owned and operated three “Cancun’s Mexican Grill” restaurants during the course of the conspiracy, and, on the date search warrants were executed at the restaurants, every single employee present was an illegal alien. Galvan-Chavez harbored several illegal aliens by concealing their immigration status, employing them at his restaurants, allowing them to use his vehicles, and assisting them in finding places to live. He aided two aliens in their illegal possession of a firearm by accepting a firearm from one alien in repayment of a drug debt and giving it to another alien to sell to another person. Some of the drug and firearm transactions took place just outside the Gulf Breeze “Cancun’s Mexican Grill.” During sentencing, United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers observed that Galvan-Chavez had tried to “insulate” himself from the drug conspiracy, but the jury verdict confirmed his clear involvement. Judge Rodgers issued a final order requiring Galvan-Chavez to forfeit “Cancun’s Mexican Grill” located on Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze to the United States Government.
This case was investigated by Pensacola Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.