United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRESTS 10 ON DRUG AND FIREARMS CHARGES

LUBBOCK, Texas — Ten defendants, named in five indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Lubbock in September, and unsealed this morning, have been arrested, without incident, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

All of the defendants were arrested this morning in an early morning takedown by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). All are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy M. Koenig at 3:00 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2010, for their initial appearances.

During the course of executing several federal search and arrest warrants this morning, law enforcement seized cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and a firearm.

One indictment charges the following defendants:

Michael Ruiz Peralez, 31, of Lubbock
Andrew Lee Reynolds, 47, of Lubbock
Bobby Joe Escobedo, 42, of Slaton, Texas

Peralez and Escobedo are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and multiple substantive distribution counts for both cocaine and marijuana. Peralez and Reynolds are also charged with firearms offenses.

In the second indictment, the following defendants, both from Lubbock, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine:

Juan Bustamante, Jr., 44
Rene A. Benavides, 38

They are also each charged with at least one substantive distribution count.

 The third indictment charges one defendant, Jasper Martinez, 33, also of Lubbock, with two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine; four firearms offenses; and one count of possession with intent to distribute amphetamine.

The fourth indictment names the following defendants, all from Lubbock:

Monica Alicia Garcia, 31
Thomas Garcia, Jr., 27
Delma Pequeno McDonald, 51

All three are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and each is charged with at least one substantive distribution count.

The fifth indictment charges Jennifer Paige Moeller, 31, of Lubbock, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one substantive distribution count.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, or more, and a fine of several million dollars.

The case is being investigated by DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Slaton Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock, is in charge of the prosecution.

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