Heriberto Martinez Contreras, a 24-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The sentencing was issued by Chief Judge Holly A. Brady in Fort Wayne.
Martinez Contreras will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
Court documents indicate that Martinez Contreras is illegally present in the United States. He organized and led a trip from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne to deliver ten pounds of methamphetamine for an expected payment of $18,000. Law enforcement intercepted the delivery in Fort Wayne, conducted a traffic stop, and recovered both the drugs and an AK-style rifle with four high-capacity magazines and ammunition. Laboratory analysis confirmed the methamphetamine was approximately 97% pure, weighing over 4.3 kilograms.
“Heriberto Martinez Contreras wanted to sell ten pounds of near-pure poison to those who would distribute it across our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Proctor. “And he was willing to take dangerous measures to protect that transaction, as he demonstrated when he armed himself with a style of high-powered rifle best known for its reliability in combat. Thankfully, the excellent work of our law enforcement team ended Martinez Contrera’s attempt to extract a profit from the suffering that drugs like methamphetamine inflict on Americans. This case should leave no doubt in the minds of foreign criminals: if you come to northern Indiana to ply your trade, you will be discovered, you will be prosecuted, you will pay for your crimes with many years of your life, and you will then be deported.”
FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley commented on the case: “Today’s guilty plea makes clear that the FBI will not tolerate drug traffickers who combine deadly narcotics with firepower. Heriberto Martinez Contreras, an illegal alien, sought to deliver ten pounds of methamphetamine of near total purity while armed with an AK-style rifle and multiple magazines of ammunition. His actions represent not only a severe threat to public safety, but also highlight the dangers posed to our country when individuals who are in the United States illegally engage in violent criminal activity. The FBI remains resolute in its mission to protect our communities and safeguard our nation by dismantling trafficking operations and ensuring that violent offenders face justice.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Drug Enforcement Administration North Central Laboratory, and Indiana State Police Regional Laboratory. Assistant United States Attorney Teresa L. Ashcraft prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at disrupting major drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement at all levels with community groups to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
