Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
Thirteen individuals have been charged in a federal indictment as part of the DEA-led Operation Put It In Reverse, targeting alleged drug traffickers operating out of the Texas Panhandle. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham, announced the charges.
The 15-count indictment includes charges against Juan Gabriel Castro, also known as "Big Boy," Luis Gilberto Garcia, Terry Deon Noble, David Dewayne Keelin, Charlotte Ann Villanueva, Kody Ryan Patterson, Melissa Lynn Nelson, Joshua James Tarver, Danny James Wise, Christopher Steven Conley, Reba Lynn McLaughlin, Mario Socorro Martinez, and Alfredo Olivares Jimenez (aka "Freddie"). The charges involve conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
Law enforcement seized approximately 70 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, $70,000 in assets and eight firearms during the investigation.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez stated: “These arrests demonstrate the continued resolve of DEA Amarillo Resident Office to investigate this organization to the fullest extent possible.” He emphasized that those involved in drug trafficking should expect accountability from law enforcement agencies.
An indictment is an allegation and not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted on these charges, they could face sentences ranging from twenty years to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Amarillo Resident Office; Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation and Highway Patrol Divisions; Amarillo Police Department; Randall County Sheriff’s Department; Potter County Sheriff’s Department; Hall County Sheriff’s Office; Agents from Texas Attorney General’s Office (OIG); Texas Game Warden Officers; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division; Federal Bureau Of Investigation's Dallas Field Office United States Marshal's Service Texas State Probation - Amarillo among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell is prosecuting this case.
