Two Individuals Plead Guilty In 64 Pound Methamphetamine Bust

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced that GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 22, and REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 22, have pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. JIMINEZ-PAZ and LUNA-SANTILLANES were arrested and charged on March 25, 2019. They entered their guilty pleas before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, beginning in January 2019, JIMINEZ-PAZ and LUNA-SANTILLANES entered into an agreement with each other and other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. On March 23, 2019, law enforcement officers with the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) executed a search warrant at a residence in the downtown area of Minneapolis. During execution of the search warrant, officers recovered approximately 64 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, a large sum of U.S. currency, three pounds of suspected heroin, a bag containing unidentified blue pills and two loaded handguns. The methamphetamine was found inside two suitcases in a bedroom closet, the heroin was hidden inside of a shoebox, and a large amount of cash was located in a kitchen cupboard.

If convicted, JIMINEZ-PAZ and LUNA-SANTILLANES face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County VCET, the DEA, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell is prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

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