Federal and State Authorities Arrest Total of 38 Individuals Based on San Antonio Federal Drug Trafficking Indictments

This morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested a dozen individuals without incident, including San Antonio Eastside-based ringleader Donavin Sanchez, on federal drug charges stemming from a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking investigation announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Whipple, Houston Division; and, Texas Department of Safety Director Steve McCraw. Below is a complete list of defendants resulting from this investigation.

Since June 2017, a federal grand jury in San Antonio has returned three (3) indictments charging 38 individuals in connection with this investigation. The indictments, including the latest one which was unsealed today, charges all 38 defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Several of the defendants face additional charge(s), namely, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Upon conviction, the defendants face sentences of either up to 20 years in federal prison, between 5 and 40 years in federal prison, or up to life in federal prison depending on the amount of heroin or methamphetamine involved.

According to the indictments, the defendants were allegedly involved in a scheme to distribute narcotics, namely methamphetamine, heroin and other opioids, in San Antonio. During this investigation, authorities have seized approximately six (6) kilograms of heroin, 14.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, three firearms, and approximately $182,000 in U.S. Currency attributed to this organization.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our communities. DEA, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in San Antonio and throughout Texas, remain vigilant in our pursuit of drug trafficking organizations who threaten our community safety. These arrests send a strong and unified message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our communities and those who commit these offenses will be brought to justice,” stated DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steve Whipple.

“Organized crime and drug trafficking are a serious threat to public safety in Texas, and DPS vigilantly works alongside our law enforcement partners to detect, deter and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities,” said DPS Regional Commander Freeman Martin. “This long-term investigation is an ideal example of how law enforcement at all levels works together to put criminals behind bars and protect Texans.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration—San Antonio Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted this investigation together with the Seguin Police Department, Castle Hills Police Department, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and San Antonio Police Department. 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.

US vs. Donavin Sanchez, et al. SA17cr633            * denotes already in custody prior to today

Name   Age   Residence   Arrest Date   Counts

Donavin Sanchez   23   San Antonio   8.23.17  1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Edwin Jiminez   62   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

John Sallin   47   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

Edward Alejandro   30   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

Melissa Carrera   39   San Antonio    8.23.17   1,2,6,7,8

Roger Troy Sanchez   25   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

Chenille Lujan   84   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

Michelle Sallin   23   San Antonio   8.23.17   1,3,5

Alexander Nichols   26   San Antonio   8.23.17   1,4,5

Marko Cadena   21   San Antonio   8.23.17   1,9

Kenneth Dickens   60   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

Conception Segura   30   San Antonio   8.23.17   1

*Luis Antonio Rodriguez   32   San Antonio   8.4.17   1,10

US vs. Christian Gallegos, et al. SA17cr507

*Christian Gallegos   28   San Antonio   6.2.17   1,3,4

*Edgar Portales   24   San Antonio   6.29.17   1,2,3,4

*Irene Portales   28   San Antonio   6.29.17   1

*Crystal DeLaGarza   25   San Antonio   6.29.17  1

*Yoan Loya-Morales   35   San Antonio   6.2.17   1,3,4

*Larry Ozuna   26   San Antonio   6.2.17   1,3,4

*Roberto Gonzalez   34   San Antonio   6.29.17   1,2

*Adrian Dominguez   20   San Antonio   6.29.17   1

*Issac Cardenas   27   San Antonio   7.17.17   1

*Paul Chacon   46   San Antonio   6.29.17   1

*Alberto Otenco-Ramos   34   San Antonio   6.2.17   1

U.S. v. Mike Flores, Jr., et al. SA17cr632

*Mike Flores, Jr.   45   San Antonio   8.3.17   1,2,4,5,8,9

*Oscar Llanes   46   San Antonio   8.17.17  1,4,5

*Genaro Requejo   61   San Antonio   7.26.17   1,4,5,6,7

*Richard Pierce   48   San Antonio 8  .17.17  1

*Robert Solis   54   San Antonio   8.17.17   1

*Ricardo Hernandez   69   San Antonio 8  .17.17   1

*Adolfo Cruz   42   San Antonio   8.17.17   1,4,5

*Joe Anthony Valenzuela   37   San Antonio   7.20.17   1,2,3

*Christina Maciel   35    San Antonio   8.17.17  1

*Pedro Martinez-Espinoza   32   San Antonio   8.17.17   1,4,5

*Leonidas Ortiz   27   San Antonio   7.29.17   1,4,5,8

*Joseph John Molina   38   San Antonio   7.29.17   1,8

*Charles Ortiz   49   San Antonio   8.3.17   1,10

*Pedro Requejo   68   San Antonio   8.3.17   1,9