Leader of Meth Ring Sentenced to 170 Months

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Simon Velazquez-Gonzalez, 27, formerly of Hilliard, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 170 months in prison for his role in trafficking more than nine kilograms of methamphetamine. Agents seized more than 20 pounds of “ice” – a form of methamphetamine of 98 to 100 percent purity – in this case.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Joseph P. Reagan, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Gregory L. Frost.

In February and March 2015, through the use of an undercover officer, law enforcement agents made methamphetamine purchases from Velazquez-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators. They discovered a substantial quantity of the drug, over $11,000 in cash and three firearms when executing search warrants at locations used by the narcotics trafficking operation, including at Velazquez-Gonzalez’s residence in Hilliard, Ohio.

Velazquez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty on July 30, 2015 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

A co-conspirator in this case, Marcelino Montoya-Sanchez, remains a fugitive. If you have information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the DEA.

U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Michael J. Hunter, who are representing the United States in this case.