Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Today, Aaron Wilkie Murphy and Hong Thoa Thi Nguyen were brought before a judge in Texas after being extradited from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The couple is set to face prosecution in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Federal law enforcement collaborated with Mexican authorities to apprehend them.
Murphy was indicted in June 2023 for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, as well as maintaining a drug-involved premises. Nguyen faced separate charges in December 2023 for drug conspiracy and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
"Murphy and Nguyen have avoided prosecution for over two years," stated U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. He expressed gratitude towards law enforcement partners in Mexico for their efforts leading to the arrest.
Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Division overseeing Oklahoma, remarked on the cooperation between national and international partners that led to the arrests. "These arrests have undoubtedly made our communities safer," he said.
Murphy allegedly possessed fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute starting March 2022. He also maintained a residence in Tulsa for drug distribution purposes. In November 2023, Nguyen was accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine and maintain a similar residence.
If convicted, Murphy could face 360 months to life imprisonment while Nguyen faces 120 months to life imprisonment.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office, U.S. Marshal Service Tulsa Field Office, and Tulsa Police Department among others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Bailey is prosecuting both cases.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) are involved in these investigations aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through an intelligence-driven approach.
An indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
