Miami-Area Man Pleads Guilty To Multi-District Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Hector Enrique Veliz Villeda (30, Hialeah) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Veliz Villeda faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, in June and July 2022, Veliz Villeda and unknown co-conspirators were part of a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that were moving kilogram quantities of the drug between several major cities located in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida and the Northern District of Alabama. Veliz Villeda received shipments of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator in Birmingham, Alabama and subsequently transported the methamphetamine into the Miami and Tampa metropolitan areas for resale.

On June 14, 2022, Veliz Villeda obtained crystal methamphetamine from a co-conspirator in Alabama at his residence in Hialeah, and later sold it to a confidential source in Bradenton. The following month, Veliz Villeda again travelled from Hialeah to Bradenton and sold more crystal methamphetamine which he had received from co-conspirators.        

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bradenton Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.