Mexican Alien Drug Dealer Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison

RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Jonathan Tadeo-Neri, a 31-year-old Mexican alien, to over 11 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine. Tadeo-Neri pleaded guilty on June 23, 2025.

“This Mexican alien came to our community and sold large quantities of methamphetamine. He chose to sneak into North Carolina illegally from Mexico to sell poison that kills children and our families just to feed his greedy lust for more money. This illegal alien can fester for more than a decade in federal prison before he is immediately deported from the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “If you slink into the United States illegally to sell dangerous drugs, we will hunt you down, prosecute you, imprison you, and deport you.”

According to the court documents and other information presented in court, this investigation began in January 2023, when a confidential source contacted DEA agents regarding a methamphetamine dealer in the Raleigh area. DEA identified the drug dealer as Tadeo-Neri and conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from him. On January 9, 2023, Tadeo-Neri agreed to sell drugs and delivered 83.22 grams (94% pure) of methamphetamine.

On January 27, 2023, DEA conducted a second controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Tadeo-Neri. Tadeo-Neri sent the same courier to deliver 981.9 grams (97% pure) of methamphetamine. Tadeo-Neri is a Mexican illegal alien, who slinked into the United States without permission. The United States will deport him as soon as he has completed his prison sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case. The DEA and Raleigh Police Department investigated the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:24-CR-00298-D-RJ.

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