Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 11, 2023

SAN DIEGO –Danny Lamar Miller-Kidd was sentenced in federal court to 15 years in prison for his leadership role in a Baja California-based drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin to various sub-distributors throughout the United States, including California, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, and Tennessee.

Miller pleaded guilty in December 2022 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. As part of his plea agreement, Miller admitted that he worked as a multi-kilogram distributor of controlled substances for a Baja California-based drug trafficking organization. Specifically, he worked with his co-conspirators to import multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin from Mexico intended for distribution throughout the United States.

During the wiretap investigation, agents identified Miller as a leader of a drug distribution cell who was responsible for distributing controlled substances to various sub-distributors in Arizona, Utah, Illinois, Colorado and other states. Miller was acting in furtherance of the conspiracy when he was stopped by law enforcement in the Southern District of California as he was transporting more than 30 pounds of pure methamphetamine, 5,000 fentanyl pills, and multiple firearms inside his vehicle in September 2021. Wire intercepts revealed that Miller obtained his drugs from Mexico that were secreted in buckets of construction material. Miller was also known to possess assault rifles, including an AR-15 with a silencer, “ghost guns,” and other weapons throughout the investigation.

“Every defendant we convict of drug-related crimes is one less cog in the massive machine that delivers poison to our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “We will continue to fight relentlessly to protect our communities from deadly drugs like fentanyl.”

“Here’s another example of how DEA and our partners continue to aggressively target drug trafficking organizations that are importing and distributing drugs into our country,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe.

“IRS special agents will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to dismantle drug trafficking organizations by bringing their leaders to justice,” said Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office. “By following and eliminating the trail of illicit proceeds fueling the drug trade, IRS Criminal Investigation combats the flow of illegal guns and drugs that are killing Americans and destroying our communities. Mr. Miller’s sentencing should send a clear message of our resolve.”

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

DEFENDANTS                                                                     Case Number 22cr1143-GPC                  

1. REDACTED                                                   Age: 42                                   Fugitive
2. REDACTED                                                   Age: 34                                   Fugitive
3. Danny Lamar Miller-Kidd                             Age: 51                                   180 months’ custody
4. Angela Diane Guerrero                                   Age: 39                                   70 months’ custody
5. Elizabeth Allison Edelman                             Age: 41                                   156 months’ custody
6. Erik Valenzuela                                              Age: 44                                   57 months’ custody
7. Ramiro Aguilar                                               Age: 41                                   108 months’ custody
8. Amber Mae Yaeger                                        Age: 40                                   Pending sentencing
9. Andrew Mauricio Martinez                            Age: 21                                   Pending sentencing
10. REDACTED                                                   Age: 46                                   Fugitive
11. Nilesh Prasad Maharaj                                   Age: 44                                   Fugitive
12. Nofoaiga Mauu                                               Age: 42                                   Pending trial
13. Yendi Cecilia Rosas                                       Age: 22                                   18 months’ custody
14. Arturo Valenzuela-Preciado                           Age: 60                                   37 months’ custody
15. Montserrat Lopez-Barron                               Age: 23                                   Pending trial
16. Maria Conchita Alonso-Lopez                       Age: 27                                   Awaiting sentencing
17. Juan Manuel Godinez-Gutierrez                    Age: 42                                   Fugitive

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1) and 846

Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1)

Importation of Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960

Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 1956(a)(1) and (h)

Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 982

Maximum penalties: For the drug charges, term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and 3 years of supervised release.

AGENCY

Drug Enforcement Administration

Bureau of Land Management

Internal Revenue Service

Customs and Border Protection

Homeland Security Investigations

United States Border Patrol

United States Postal Inspection Service

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

Chula Vista Police Department

Oceanside Police Department

California Highway Patrol

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

*Allegations contained in an Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.