LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that nine defendants were indicted for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes.

Five defendants from Calcasieu Parish and four illegal aliens from Cuba were named in the 16-count indictment. They are:

Antonio Montero, 55, of Cuba;

Julio Elizagarate, 67, of Cuba;

Michael Miers, 56, of DeRidder, Louisiana;

Zet Elizagarate, 56, of Lake Charles;

Feliz Perez, 55, of Cuba;

Juan Gonzalez, 66, of Cuba;

Gary S. Byrd, 47, of Sulphur, Louisiana;

Lionel Peschier, 48, of Sulphur; and

Angie Perez, 47, of Sulphur.

According to the indictment, Montero, Julio Elizagarate, Miers, Zet Elizagarate, Gary Bryd, Lionel Peshier and Angie Perez conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from June 7, 2017 to July 31, 2018.  Montero, Elizagarate, Miers, Zet Elizagarate, Felix Perez and Juan Gonzalez conspired to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from May 31, 2018 to July 31, 2018. The illegal activity took place in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes. Julio and Zet Elizagarate are married. Angie Perez and Felix Perez are not related.

The defendants have been arrested except for Byrd, Peschier and Angie Perez. Charges include: Count 1 – conspiracy to distribute  and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Counts 2 and 4 to 9 – methamphetamine distribution; Count 3 – attempted distribution of methamphetamine; Counts 10 and 11 – possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Count 12 – conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; and Counts 13 to 16 – possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their roles in the conspiracy and their criminal history. On the drug conspiracy and distribution counts, some defendants face up to 20 years and one defendant faces up to 40 years in prison. The defendants also face up to life of supervised release. Additionally, the defendants face fines up to $5 million and forfeiture of property seized in the case.

Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, Louisiana State Police, Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Combined Anti-Drug Task Force, Beauregard Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles Police Department, Iowa Police Department and Deridder Police Department participated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.