Three Ocala Men Found Guilty In Heroin Conspiracy

Ocala, FL – A federal jury has found Juan Pablo Malagon-Alvarez (40), Jose Lucio Mendoza-Servin (35), and Aurelio Gomez-Andrade (40), all of Ocala, guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Each faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison for that charge. In addition, the jury found Malagon-Alvarez guilty of possession with the intent to distribute heroin; the charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The sentencing hearings are scheduled for November 14, 2018.

Malagon-Alvarez, Mendoza-Servin, and Gomez-Andrade had been indicted on January 11, 2018.     

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, between June 2015 and December 14, 2017, Malagon-Alvarez distributed multiple ounces of heroin on a weekly or bi-monthly basis to two Ocala drug dealers. During several transactions, Malagon-Alvarez was assisted by Mendoza-Servin and Gomez-Antrade. The drug deals typically occurred on horse farms in Ocala. One cooperating witness obtained 49 grams of heroin from Malagon-Alvarez on June 16, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Gainesville resident office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.