U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced 11 alleged methamphetamine traffickers in Levelland have been federally charged with drug and gun crimes.
The defendants charged in the indictment were apprehended during the arrest operation that stemmed from two weeks ago, including one defendant who barricaded himself in the attic for roughly two hours but was successfully extricated by an FBI SWAT team.
The individuals in custody made their initial appearances before U.S. District Judge D. Gordon Bryant, Jr.
The indictments represent the second round of charges in a wide-ranging meth investigation that has included 29 defendants currently, including 18 defendants charged in November 2022, all of whom subsequently entered guilty pleas.
Those recently charged include: Danny Bautista, who was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, convicted felon in possession of firearms.
Daniel Hernandez Martinez, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, convicted felon in possession of a firearm; Omarre Edwards Joyce, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; David Vicente Martinez, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; Daniel Abram Garza, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; Dlanee Jordan Alexander, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamin; Calvin Lee Gonzales, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; Miguel Silva, Jr., who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Jesus Perez Puertas, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; Andrea Jane Mora, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; and Sedric Lashawn King, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine; Multiple defendants have had violent criminal histories, including, assault causing bodily injury, assault of a public servant, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon burglary, theft, and possession of controlled substances.
The individuals convicted in the first round of indictments include: Jason Wade Grant, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 240 months in federal prison; Ruben Soliz Guajardo, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 90 months in federal prison; Rance Devin Jordan, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 84 months in federal prison; Timothy John Perez, who plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 90 months in federal prison; Judy Cirilo Qualls, who plead guilty to convicted felon in possession of a firearm; sentenced to 37 months in federal prison; Michael Salazar, who plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 97 months in federal prison; Hollye Raychelle Patton, whom pled guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 168 months in federal prison; Anthony Raven Ruiz, who plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 87 months in federal prison; Gerry Wayne Varner, whom plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 240 months in federal prison; Jose Angel Marquez, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 57 months in federal prison; Jennifer Dianne Clem, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 110 months in federal prison; Ernest Michael Chavez, whom plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 131 months in federal prison; Gilberto Guajardo, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 108 months in federal prison; Bobby Joe Gonzales, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 240 months in federal prison; Santiago Vizcarra, Jr., whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 78 months in federal prison; John Vester Gilliam, whom pled guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 100 months in federal prison; Heather Rochelle Patton, whom pled guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentenced to 180 months in federal prison; Juan Luis Quezada, whom plead guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; sentencing set for Aug. 3.