A federal indictment has charged eleven individuals, including a California resident and three people from the St. Louis area, with participating in a large-scale cocaine distribution conspiracy. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus.
Jimmy Abraham Majeau, 43, of Chino Hills, California, appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The original indictment was filed on May 28, 2025, and unsealed on July 9 when arrests began. Among those indicted are Michael Hunter, 63; Sonja Anne Orlando, 48; and Aaron Lamont Russell, 42—all from the St. Louis area—as well as Earl Banks, 33, of Detroit; Eric James Hernandez, 42; Marvell Brian Lloyd, 43; Juan Jose Mendoza, 55; Alexxis Marie Ramirez, 36; Jonathon Javon Ward, 44; and Andrew Watson, 65.
Prosecutors allege that Majeau frequently traveled to Mexico to obtain cocaine which he transported across the United States using a commercial shipping company.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets believed connected to the alleged crimes. These include Majeau’s home, a luxury vehicle—a 2021 Lamborghini Urus—$235,000 in cash and eighteen pieces of diamond and gold jewelry such as watches, rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
Authorities emphasized that “charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the St. Louis County Police Department.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide effort led by the Department of Justice aiming to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations by coordinating resources through programs like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
