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Department of Justice United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, October 2, 2009 |
CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
NINE MEMBERS OF METHAMPHETAMINE CONSPIRACY INDICTED
Group Accused Of Distributing More Than 500 Grams Of The Drug
HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA -- An indictment charging eight local residents with conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine was unsealed today in U.S. District Court following the arrests of all defendants involved in the case.
The defendants, who are accused of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in the Harrisonburg area since approximately 2002, were charged by a Federal Grand Jury on September 15, 2009. That indictment remained under seal until this morning when the first of the defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court.
Charged by the grand jury were Sergio Mujica, 41, a citizen of Mexico living in Houston, Texas, Joshua Evans Johnson, 31, of Stuarts Draft, Va., James Edward Shifflett II, 27, of Staunton, Va., Jason Aaron Springle, 32, of Stuarts Draft, Va., Kelly Robertson Hoover, 31, of Stuarts Draft, Va., Rachel Starr Quesenberry, 28, of Stuarts Draft, Va., and Ernesto Munoz Salazar, 34, a citizen of Mexico living in Harrisonburg.
Each defendant was charged with one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Each defendant faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for this conspiracy charge.
In addition, Mujica was charged with one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, which carries a sentencing range of 20 years to life in prison, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison.
Johnson was charged with two additional counts of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, each count carrying a possible sentence of between five and forty years, and one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, which has a sentence range of 0 to 20 years.
Shifflett and Hoover were charged with one additional count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a charge that carries a possible sentence of 0-20 years in prison. Springle, in addition to the conspiracy charge, was charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This charge carries a possible 5 to 40 year prison sentence.
In addition to the drug charges, the grand jury charged Jessie C. Propst, 37, of Blue Grass, Va., with one count of perjury. Perjury carries a possible sentence of 0-5 years in prison. According to the indictment, when questioned by the grand jury about his affiliation with certain individuals, Propst knowingly made false statements.
The investigation of the case was conducted by SA Jack Lynch of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Craig “Jake” Jacobsen is prosecuting the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.