U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal indictment was unsealed today in Greensboro, North Carolina, charging 38 individuals with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina.
The indictment lists several defendants accused of participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy. Among those charged are Nicholas Tyler Curry from Mount Gilead, NC; Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto from Naco, Mexico; Jimmy Mendoza Arenas from Phoenix, AZ; Crandall Ortis Ingram from High Point, NC; and Kelly Emanuel Harrington Jr. from Candor, NC.
In addition to drug trafficking charges, ten defendants face allegations of conspiring to launder proceeds from the drug operations. These individuals include Nicholas Tyler Curry and Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto.
"An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," noted officials.
If convicted on narcotics conspiracy charges, the defendants could face life imprisonment. Those found guilty of money laundering conspiracy may receive up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Currently, 37 out of the 38 indicted individuals are in custody. Eighteen of those arrested today will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joi E. Peake either today or tomorrow for initial court appearances in the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). Eight others were apprehended outside MDNC and will have their hearings where they were detained.
Several defendants already held on related charges include Nicholas Tyler Curry and Jimmy Mendoza Arenas among others. They will be arraigned later on these new charges.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations threatening the United States through coordinated efforts across various law enforcement agencies.
Agencies involved in this investigation include the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation among others across federal and local levels.
For more information about OCDETF initiatives visit https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
