Six Guilty In Connection With Heroin Trafficking

 SHERMAN, Texas – Six North Texas men have pleaded guilty in connection with a heroin trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. 
             
Julio Cruz, 23, of Carrollton, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin on Dec. 10, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

Co-defendants, Tyrese Jerrell Shelton, 27, of Carrollton; Cesar Alexander Avelar-Gomez, 20, of Dallas; Jose Eladio Molina, 27, of Carrollton; and Taylor Evan Anderson, 22, of Carrollton, each pleaded guilty to the same charges in the previous two months.  Clayton Teasdale, 24, of Carrollton, pleaded guilty to using a communication device to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.

According to the Second Superseding Indictment, the distribution of heroin in this case was linked to heroin overdoses, including the death of a Carrollton resident.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Dec. 12, 2012, charging the defendants with federal drug trafficking violations.

"Members of the law enforcement community, to include the judicial system, are all too aware of the dangers and impact that illegal drug trafficking and use has on society,” said Chief Rex Redden of the Carrollton Police Department.  “The results are always negative; so when we're able to work with our counterparts to bring individuals such as this to justice we know that we may be saving lives and lessening the harmful effects on our community. I want to congratulate everyone involved and thank those that came forward to assist and for their courage to do the right thing. We certainly feel for those that have lost loved ones and will continue to work hard to protect society from the harmful effects of illegal narcotics." 

The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with our state and local partners, is committed to targeting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations determined to spread their filth throughout our communities said DEA’s Special Agent in Charge Daniel Salter.  “Heroin abuse is unfortunately escalating --- forcing addiction, pain and devastation on its users.  Today is a victory and I applaud the efforts of the special agents and officers who worked relentlessly to shut down this drug trafficking organization and to keep our neighborhoods free of the poison being spread by these criminals.”

The defendants each face a minimum of 10 years and up to Life in federal prison at sentencing.  Sentencing dates have not been set. 

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Carrollton Police Department, the Coppell Police Department, the San Antonio Police Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Rattan.