Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Southern District of Ohio
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
CONTACT: Fred Alverson
Public Affairs Officer
COLUMBUS - A yearlong investigation into an alleged heroin trafficking organization in central Ohio has resulted in the arrests of 16 people, the seizure of more than 11 kilograms of heroin, three firearms, and more than $115,000 in cash.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Robert Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the arrests today.
Investigators made the arrests between June 10 and today based on federal complaints. Each defendant has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, a crime punishable by at least five and up to 40 years in prison. All defendants have appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge who ordered them held without bond until trial. Eight search warrants have also been executed since June 10 as part of the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Stewart said the investigation by DEA, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police and the DEA Southwest Border Task Force is continuing.
Stewart commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Hunter and Kevin Kelley who are representing the United States in this case.
Charges contained in a complaint are allegations. All defendants should be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
A list of those charged is below.
DEFENDANTS ARRESTED IN JUNE 2013 HEROIN INVESTIGATION
Name AGE ADDRESS
Alonso Ernesto TORRES MONTANO 25 Grove City
Luis Alberto TORRES MONTANO 30 Grove City
Santiago Manuel AZDEITIA 21 Columbus
Ivon Itzel TRUJILLO CERVANTES 30 Grove City
Johana Yazmin DIAZ LOPEZ 25 Columbus
Jose Enrique ESPARZA CASTILLO 24 Columbus
Victor GARCIA, aka “EL NEGRO" 25 Columbus
Francisco Fuentes ESTRADA, aka “EL GALLO" 34 Columbus
Primitivo BUENROSTO, aka “JOAQUIN" 60 Columbus
Jose Luis DIAZ 39 Columbus
Janeth ARVIZU VALDERRAMA 26 Columbus
Andy Abel DIAZ LOPEZ 19 Columbus
Juan Carlos PEREZ LEON, aka “CARLOS" 24 Fairfield
Juan M. BERMUDEZ DELGADO 28 Columbus
Oscar JURADO 23 Columbus
Lonnie GARCIA GOMEZ 19 Columbus
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
