Houston Man Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

            BEAUMONT, Texas – A 40-year-old Houston man has been arrested for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.

            John D. Leontaritis, owner and operator of Vanderhall Exotics of Houston, and former owner operator of Global Motorcars of Houston, Houston car dealerships that specialize in luxury automobiles, has been charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Apr. 4, 2018.  Leontaritis was arrested on Apr.6, 2018 and will make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin tomorrow in Beaumont.

            Leontaritis is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and conspiracy to launder and conceal the proceeds of his drug trafficking organization.  The indictment alleges that from 2013 until June, 2017, Leontaritis conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine for distribution in the Houston and Beaumont, Texas areas.  A federal grand jury has already indicted seven other members of this drug trafficking organization, charging them with manufacturing and distributing thousands of pills containing a mixture of methamphetamine as part of the conspiracy.           

            Under federal statutes, if convicted, Leontaritis faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. 

            If anyone has any information on this case or defendant, please call 713-693-3000.  Callers information will be kept confidential.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Houston Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service-CI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Englade. 

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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