Seven individuals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization operating out of Marshall County, Alabama. The organization was reportedly directed from Mexico. This announcement came from United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the FBI's Birmingham Division.
The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Corey L. Maze. Armando Trevino-Vazques, 42, received a 120-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Carlos Antonio Hernandez-Corona, 32, was sentenced to 78 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Juan Hernandez, 44, was given a 70-month sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Gregory Allen Huff, 43, received a 61-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Angel Hernandez Jr., 25, was sentenced to 50 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Thomas Gaspar, 35, received a sentence of 36 months for unlawful use of a communications facility. Juan Damian Cortes, 33, was sentenced to five months for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to plea agreements related to the case, the drug trafficking organization used dead drops as part of its operations in distributing methamphetamine and handling bulk currency transactions. Purchasers would contact sources in Mexico before receiving instructions on where and how transactions would occur.
U.S. Attorney Escalona stated: “My office will use every tool in our toolbox to dismantle drug trafficking organizations intent on flooding the Northern District of Alabama with illegal drugs.” She emphasized the commitment towards ending the impact these drugs have had on local communities and expressed gratitude towards law enforcement partnerships that led to these convictions.
FBI Special Agent Peeples remarked: “These sentencings demonstrate the FBI’s relentless determination to eradicate drug trafficking organizations that are plaguing communities.” He highlighted disrupting such organizations as a priority objective within the FBI's mission.
The investigation involved efforts from multiple agencies including the FBI’s North Alabama Criminal Enterprise Task Force alongside support from both state and local law enforcement entities like the Marshall County Drug Task Force and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell E. Penfield and John M. Hundscheid prosecuted these cases.
