The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported that three out of eight individuals indicted in the previous year have pleaded guilty to federal drug offenses. These defendants were apprehended during a multi-agency operation.
In a press release issued by the DEA, it was stated that Carlos Venegas, Jr., 24, from Carlsbad, entered a guilty plea on March 4, 2024. He admitted to one count each of conspiracy to distribute quantities exceeding 50 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, Venegas confessed to attempting to possess with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, more than 500 grams of cocaine, over 400 grams of fentanyl, and above 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The press release further disclosed that Amber Owen, aged 51 and also from Carlsbad, pleaded guilty on March 12, 2024. She confessed to one count each of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and the distribution thereof. The third defendant named Kinny Gonzalez, aged 29 and from Carlsbad as well, entered his guilty plea on April 2, 2024. His charges included conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a mixture containing cocaine. Gonzalez also admitted guilt for distributing cocaine and conspiring to smuggle goods from the United States among other charges.
As per the press release details, these three defendants along with their co-defendants—Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio, Kassandra Lee Perales, Jared Michael Moore, Brian Kain Purdy and Sabino Alfonso Maldonado—were indicted on July 19th in the year prior i.e., 2023. Venegas, Owen and Gonzalez are set to remain in custody while they await sentencing proceedings where they could face penalties ranging between ten years and life imprisonment.
The press release also shed light on the operation, which was spearheaded by the DEA in the spring of last year. It was supported by several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, Carlsbad Police among others.
