Mexican National Indicted on Methamphetamine Distribution and Illegal Reentry Charges

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned an indictment charging ALEJANDRO AVILEZ-PEREZ, age 41, of Mexico, with Conspiracy to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine, and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.

If convicted of each drug count, AVILEZ-PEREZ, having been previously convicted of a serious drug felony (Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine) would face a minimum of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of illegal reentry subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, AVILEZ-PEREZ, previously convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien, would face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The case is being investigated by DEA, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations, State Bureau of Investigation, and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office.