Nahum Shibeshi, 28, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on June 16, 2016, in US District Court to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and interstate travel in support of racketeering activities, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
On Feb. 18, 2016, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment alleging that eight Houston residents participated in a conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine into the Southern District of Illinois. In addition to the drug crimes, the indictment seeks forfeiture of $1,212,934 in US Currency that was seized on December 2 and 3rd of 2015, along with jewelry appraised at $72,000. As part of his plea, Shibeshi agreed to forfeit any interest he has in any of the property that was seized.
As charged in this case, conspiracy to distribute cocaine is punishable by not less than 10 years’ imprisonment up to life, a $10,000,000 fine, and not less than 5 years supervised release. Interstate travel in support of racketeering activities is punishable by not more than 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and not more than three years supervised release. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines must be applied to the case and considered by the Court during sentencing. Shibeshi is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 14, 2016. The remaining seven defendants are scheduled for trial on Aug. 15, 2016.
The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the OCDETF program. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, the remaining co-defendants are presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
