Authorities Arrest 24 in Maverick and Zavala Counties on Federal Charges

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested 24 individuals in Maverick and Zavala counties based on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit today. 

Those arrested today include:

Name                                                               Age                 Residence

SONIA BALBOA                                          52                    Eagle Pass, TX

SUCEL BALBOA a.k.a. “Susan”                  27                    Eagle Pass

BALDEMAR BALBOA                                24                    Eagle Pass

WILIBALDO MORA, SR. a.k.a. “Willie”     50                    Crystal City, TX

WILIBALDO MORA, JR.                             23                    Crystal City

JORGE RIVERA                                           37                    Crystal City

PURA GARZA ESQUIVEL                         49                    Eagle Pass

TERESA SANTA LOPEZ                             48                    Eagle Pass

ANGEL LEE RAMIREZ                               28                    Del Rio, TX

DAVID DAVALOS, SR.                               47                    Crystal City

DAVID DAVALOS, JR.                               26                    Crystal City    

JACINTO DAVALOS                                   41                    Crystal City    

MARICELA ALVARADO DAVALOS       32                    Crystal City    

BRUCE DAVALOS                                      34                    Crystal City    

GERARDO FIGUEROA a.k.a. “Bebo”         50                    Crystal City                

ROBERT TELLES                                         49                    Crystal City

RAMIRO RAMIREZ a.k.a. “Ram”               55                    Crystal City

RONALD DAVALOS a.k.a. “Gato”             46                    Crystal City

ROGELIO DAVILA JR. a.k.a. “Roy”           23                    Crystal City    

ROGELIO DAVILA SR.                               61                    Crystal City

ARTURO HERNANDEZ a.k.a. “Cheffy”     38                    Crystal City    

ARNOLDO ALMEDIA a.k.a. “Ernie”          57                    Crystal City    

ABELARDO RODRIGUEZ a.k.a. “AB”      24                    Crystal City

SIMON CONTRERAS                                  59                    Crystal City    

Genaro Balboa-Falcon, age 47 of Mexico, and Joseph Garza (a.k.a. “Cain”), age 30 of Crystal City, are considered fugitives.

A nine-count federal grand jury indictment, returned on Tuesday and unsealed this morning in Del Rio, charges the above-named defendants--with the exception of David Davalos, Jr. and Maricela Alvarado Davalos--with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  The indictment charges David Davalos, Jr. and Maricela Alvarado Davalos with using a cellular telephone to facilitate drug trafficking.  David Davalos, Sr., Jacinto Davalos, and Bruce Davalos are also charged with one count of maintaining a residence for the distribution of cocaine.  Genaro Balboa-Falcon, Sonia Balboa, Sucel Balboa, Baldemar Balboa, Wilibaldo Mora, Sr., Jorge Rivera, Pura Esquivel and Teresa Lopez are also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The indictment alleges that since October 1, 2012, the defendants were part of a cocaine distribution conspiracy operating primarily in the Eagle Pass and Crystal City areas. 

The indictment also seeks the criminal forfeiture of nine real estate properties—two in Eagle Pass and seven in Crystal City—alleged as proceeds derived from the illegal drug trafficking activities.  The indictment also seeks a $5.98 Million money judgement which represents the alleged proceeds derived from, and the value of property involved in, the criminal enterprise.

During this investigation, authorities have seized more than 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 660 pounds of marijuana, 36 firearms, 35 vehicles, a bullet-proof vest, and approximately $110,000 in U.S. Currency attributed to the criminal enterprise.

Upon conviction of the drug conspiracy count and in accordance with individually charged cocaine amounts, Genaro Balboa-Falcon, Sonia Balboa, Wilibaldo Mora Sr, Jorge Rivera, David Davalos Jacinto Davalos and Bruce Davalos face between ten years and life in federal prison; Sucel Balboa, Baldemar Balboa, Wilibaldo Mora, Jr., Pura Esquivel, Teresa Lopez, Angel Ramirez, Gerardo Figueroa, Robert Telles, Ramiro Ramirez, Ronald Davalos, Rogelio Davila, Jr., Rogelio Davila, Sr., Arturo Hernandez, Joseph Garza, Arnoldo Almedia, Simon Contreras, and Abelardo Rodriguez face up to 20 years in federal prison.

Upon conviction of maintaining a residence for the purpose of drug trafficking, the defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment.  Upon conviction of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment.  David Davalos, Jr. and Maricela Alvarado Davalos each face up to four years in federal prison upon conviction of the use of a cellular telephone to facilitate drug trafficking charge. 

All of the arrested defendants remain in federal custody at this time.  Detention hearings are scheduled for August 29, 2016, before United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia in Del Rio.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Zavala County Sheriff’s Office, Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Pass Police Department and the U.S. Border Patrol.  The U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in making the arrests.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.