Three Charged in Multi-Count Federal Drug Indictment

Jackson, Miss – Teofila Sanchez-Chavez, 30, of Houston, Texas, Jose Christian Nunez-Belmonte, 32, of Byram, and Marcus Shelby, 34, of Jackson, have been charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam of the DEA New Orleans Field Division. The indictment is the result of a two-year investigation by the federal Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) in this district.

Teofila Sanchez-Chavez, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

Jose Christian Nunez-Belmonte, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

Marcus Shelby, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

The case is scheduled for trial before U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan on November 8, 2016. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a

$5 million fine per count.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol, DEA Houston Field Division, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgeland Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Pearl Police Department, and the Flowood Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerry L. Rushing.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.