NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

BRADLEY J. SCHLOZMAN

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO MEXICAN NATIONALS INDICTED FOR

METH, ILLEGAL FIREARM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bradley J. Schlozman, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Mexican nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury today for participating in a conspiracy to distribute meth and for illegally possessing firearms.

Jose Lopez-Lopez, 27, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., and Angel Garcia-Holguin, 34, a citizen of Mexico residing in Independence, Mo., were charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against the co-defendants on Feb. 5, 2007.

Count One of the federal indictment alleges that Lopez-Lopez and Garcia-Holguin participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from Jan. 21 to 24, 2007.

Count Two of the federal indictment alleges that Garcia-Holguin was an illegal alien in possession of firearms. According to the indictment, Garcia-Holguin was in possession of an RG .38-caliber revolver and a Smith and Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol between Jan. 21 and 24, 2007.

Schlozman cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefan C. Hughes. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

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