Two Chicago Men Charged in a Federal Complaint in Connection with a Traffic Stop

St. Louis, MO – Alfredo Quintero, 21, of Chicago, and Alonso Villalvazo, 22, Chicago, were charged in a federal criminal complaint regarding a traffic stop which resulted in the seizure of approximately 7.5 pounds of cocaine. 

According to the affidavit of the complaint, on September 10, 2018, a DEA Task Force Officer stopped a grey Chevrolet pickup truck traveling eastbound on Interstate 44 in Phelps County, Missouri, for a traffic violation of failing to properly affix a valid and readily identifiable license plate to a vehicle.  The driver, Alonso Villalvazo, and passenger, Alfredo Quintero, both gave completely different accounts of their travel to Chicago.  Quintero gave the officer consent to search the vehicle for suspected illegal narcotics or large bulk currency.  During the search, he disclosed to the officer that narcotics were inside the vehicle hidden in a void inside the front vehicle differential and showed the officer the location of the narcotics.  After dismantling the front vehicle differential, seven individually wrapped bundles were recovered and investigators seized approximately 3,489 gross grams (7 ½ lbs.) of cocaine.

Quintero and Villalvazo were charged with one felony count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.  The United States Attorney requested that both be detained pending trial.   

As is always the case, charges set forth in the complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Beth Orwick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.