Defendant Continued To Run Heroin Distribution Network From Mexico After Being Deported
Jorge Andres Lopez Montiel, aka “Jimmy," 26, of Tepic Nayarit, Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court, to possession with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith of the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to the plea agreement, Montiel has agreed to a sentence of 210 months in prison. He will be sentenced on Sept. 25, 2017.
Montiel was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2009 after being identified as the person in charge of heroin sales for the Nashville area for a major heroin supplier in Mexico. Before he was taken into federal custody, Montiel was deported to Mexico, where he continued to distribute heroin and later methamphetamine, through a network of distributors acting at his direction, who transferred the proceeds of the drug sales to Mexico, often through wire transfers.
Montiel was taken into federal custody when he illegally re-entered the United States in late 2016.
During one phase of this investigation, between July 2013-April 2015, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Special Investigation Division arrested 22 persons, seized 14 pounds of heroin and 1 ½ pounds of Methamphetamine. Of those persons arrested, in addition to Montiel, four others were charged with federal offenses; Matthew McKervey, 28; Brian Goforth, 44; Daniel Alcala, 29; and David Becerra-Ruiz, 42, all of Nashville.
On April 1, 2015, Metro Nashville officers executed a search warrant at the home of Matthew McKervey. As officers entered the home, McKervey fired three shots at the officers, who returned fire and wounded McKervey. He was subsequently charged with federal firearms and drug offenses and is currently awaiting trial. Brian Goforth has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The three remaining defendants are still pending before the Court. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the DEA. Asst. U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
