Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Jesus Ignacio Medina-Leyva, a 29-year-old from Culiacan, Mexico, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
A federal grand jury indicted Medina-Leyva along with 31 other defendants on November 2, 2017. The indictment included one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering against Medina-Leyva. He pleaded guilty to both counts on April 10, 2025.
Investigators found that Medina-Leyva and his co-defendants were part of a larger methamphetamine trafficking operation as well as a money laundering scheme. The investigation also uncovered various federal firearms violations connected to the group. Medina-Leyva was arrested while entering the United States from Canada on August 6, 2024, based on a warrant related to these charges. So far, 26 of his co-defendants have been convicted and sentenced.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Miller ordered Medina-Leyva to serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF focuses on identifying and dismantling major criminal organizations that pose threats within the United States through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies led by prosecutors using intelligence-driven strategies. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from several agencies including Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, North Little Rock Police Department, Conway Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, Arkansas State Police, and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office.
"Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller."
