Thirteen Defendants Indicted For Large-Scale Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Miriam Elizabeth Suarez-Contreras, the lead defendant in a 30 count indictment in connection to a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy, was arraigned yesterday in federal court, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.

Suarez-Contreras, aka “Ella” and “Liz,” 38, a Mexican national; Ramiro Ramirez-Barajas, aka “Sergio,” 30, a Mexican national; Roberto Blancas-Mata, aka “Carlos Delgado,” 66, of Las Vegas; Rahdsma Henderson, aka “Weezy,” 41, of Las Vegas; Stephen Lloyd, 38, of Las Vegas; Charles Parr, aka “Charles Magnuson,” 60, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Doug Stumpf, 55, of Henderson; Brian Scarborough, 43, of Henderson; Renea Barnes, aka “Renea Valdez,” 50, of Las Vegas; Quentin Armstrong, 41, of Sandy Valley, Nevada; Cipriano Pineda-Acedo, 49, of Las Vegas; Jose Guillermo Tello-Albarran, 32, of Las Vegas; and Martha Pedraza-Zamora, 40, of Las Vegas, were all charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

In addition, Suarez-Contreras was charged with 16 counts; Ramirez-Barajas was charged with eight counts; Blancas-Mata was charged with six counts; Tello-Albarran was charged with two counts; and Henderson was charged with one count, all for distribution of methamphetamine. Tello-Albarran, Scarborough, Parr, Lloyd, Stumpf, Barnes, Armstrong, Pedraza-Zamora, and Pineda-Acedo were each charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Scarborough was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment charging 13 defendants for their involvement in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine throughout Nevada. As alleged, from a date unknown to April 17, 2019, the defendants conspired with each other to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Suarez-Contreras and Ramirez-Barajas have been previously removed from the United States for unlawful entry.

A jury trial was scheduled for July 29, 2019. If convicted, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

The public is reminded an indictment contains merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Schiff is prosecuting this case.

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