LUBBOCK, Texas - Seven defendants charged with various offenses stemming from their respective roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy have pleaded guilty, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Today, the last defendant charged in the case entered a guilty plea. Flor Angelica Bustillos, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, to one count of unlawful use of a communication facility. She faces a statutory maximum penalty of four years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Last month, Gregorio Hernandez-Perez, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and a life term of supervised release.
According to plea documents filed in the case, on July 16, 2014 search warrants were executed at multiple locations in Lubbock County, including, Hernandez-Perez’s residence in Slaton, Texas, after law enforcement in Lubbock, Texas, seized 4.47 kilograms of methamphetamine attributable to Hernandez-Perez. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement seized surveillance cameras, drug ledgers, drug trafficking paraphernalia, wire transfer receipts, and a handgun. During the arrest of Hernandez-Perez, an additional handgun was found in his possession.
Each of the four below-listed defendants pleaded guilty in October 2014 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. Each faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.
Haylie Nicole Moreno, 26, of Lubbock
Jesus Adrian Murillo-Angulo, 21, of Lubbock
Michael Alvarado Garcia, 42, of Lubbock
Miguel Angel Ruiz-Cabanillas, 30, of Lubbock
Edward Adam Rodriguez, 23, of Lubbock, pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2014, to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting. He faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Natividad Gumaro Lopez-Guzman, 48, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty Oct. 17, 2014, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a $10 million fine.
Presentence investigation reports have been ordered for all defendants; sentencing dates will be set after the completion of those reports.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Lubbock Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, United States Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Cunningham is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
