Two men from San Antonio, Texas, were sentenced in federal court for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit armed robbery while posing as DEA agents. The sentencing took place Thursday in Medford, Oregon.
Jose Manuel Lopez, 24, received a sentence of 63 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release. Juan Carlos Conchas, 23, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release. Both were ordered to pay restitution jointly to the victim.
Court documents state that on March 12, 2022, deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery at a rural property in Josephine County, Oregon. Upon arrival, deputies found two empty vehicles with Texas license plates and several people running toward the back of the property. Inside the house, victims reported that armed individuals dressed as DEA agents used zip ties and duct tape to restrain them.
During a search of the property, deputies discovered large containers filled with packaged marijuana as well as body armor, firearms, ammunition, shell casings, and badges resembling those used by DEA agents along the escape route taken by the suspects.
Investigators determined that Lopez and Conchas traveled from San Antonio to Southern Oregon in late February 2022 with plans to steal over 200 pounds of marijuana. Photographs recovered showed members of the group posing with firearms while dressed as DEA agents.
Lopez and Conchas were arrested on October 13, 2022 in San Antonio. A federal grand jury indicted Morales, Acuna, Conchas and other co-conspirators on September 1, 2022 for charges including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute; and using firearms during a drug trafficking crime.
Lopez pleaded guilty on December 6, 2024 to conspiring both to interfere with commerce by robbery and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. Conchas entered guilty pleas for similar charges on April 16, 2025.
Four additional co-conspirators have also pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in this case.
The investigation involved cooperation between multiple agencies: FBI; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Josephine County Sheriff’s Office; and Texas Department of Public Safety. Judith R. Harper prosecuted the case as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.