Federal Court Sentences Guam Brothers and a Mexican Illegal Alien for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy

Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announces that the U.S. District Court of Guam has imposed sentences on defendants involved in a multi‑state drug‑trafficking and money‑laundering conspiracy operating between Guam and the U.S. mainland.

• Jeremy Laitan Cruz, age 40, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced on February 23, 2026 to 120 months imprisonment for his role. He was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(A)(viii), and Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed five years of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $200 special assessment fee.

• Eric Shawn Cruz, age 35, of Dededo, Guam, previously pleaded guilty and sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 120 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty (50) or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Count 1), in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841 (a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii) and Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity (Count 34), in violation of 18 U.S.C § 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed five years of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $200 special assessment fee.

• Jonovan Michael Cruz, age 33, from Dededo, Guam, was a co‑defendant and sibling of Jeremy and Eric.  His case was dismissed due to his untimely passing.

• Jose Quevedo Salazar, age 33, a citizen of Mexico and an illegal alien in the United States, residing in Florida, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 24 months imprisonment, with credit for time served, for Conspiracy to Engage in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 2. The Court also imposed one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and $100 special assessment fee.

From at least September 3, 2023, to September 12, 2023, Jeremy Cruz and his brothers Jonovan and Eric conspired to distribute methamphetamine on Guam. The brothers coordinated the purchase of methamphetamine from the U.S. mainland, arranged for its shipment to Guam, and planned to distribute the drugs locally while sharing the proceeds.

Investigators found that the conspirators used Facebook Messenger to coordinate shipment, pricing, and distribution.  In early September 2023, Eric Cruz—then residing in Florida—mailed a parcel containing approximately 228 grams of methamphetamine to a Guam address provided by Jeremy Cruz. Jonovan and Jeremy exchanged tracking information, and a screenshot of the tracking number was inadvertently posted publicly on social media.

On September 12, 2023, federal agents located the parcel upon its arrival in Guam, obtained a search warrant, and seized the methamphetamine before delivery. The brothers exchanged messages afterward expressing concern that the shipment had been intercepted.

From at least July 2023 through October 23, 2023, Jeremy Cruz, his brothers, and Salazar engaged in a money‑laundering scheme designed to conceal the source and ownership of proceeds from methamphetamine distribution. Cruz, his brothers, and Salazar used multiple intermediaries and methods to move funds between Guam, Florida, and California, disguising the illicit nature of the transactions.

“We will continue our aggressive enforcement efforts against drug traffickers who use our mail system to facilitate their illegal activity,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “Anyone involved with the shipment of drugs in the mail can become the target of an investigation and face substantial time in a federal prison. This case demonstrates effective law enforcement in combatting drug trafficking across multiple jurisdictions. I applaud the efforts of our agency partners in this successful operation.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a stern warning to all drug traffickers who peddle drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our island communities.  There will be accountability for your actions, and these types of illicit activities will not be tolerated,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Guam. “Our successful partnerships and collaboration with federal, state and local agencies underscore DEA’s unwavering commitment to protect the United States by disrupting the illicit methamphetamine supply chain, reducing its availability, and saving lives.”

“Our message with the sentencing of Jeremy Laitan Cruz is clear: We will aggressively investigate and bring to justice every individual using the U.S. Mail to transport crystal methamphetamine into Guam,” said Stephen Sherwood, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s San Francisco Division. “Achieving successful case resolutions in Guam such as with U.S. v. Cruz, et al., is only possible due to our strong partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Guam, members of the Guam Interdictions and Anti-Narcotics Trafficking (GIANT) Task Force, and our federal law enforcement partners.  The GIANT Task Force Members include the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, and Guam Army National Guard Counter Drug Program.”

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency and the Guam Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin K. Petersburg prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.