A Mexican national, Rodolfo Aviles-Reyes, also known as “Omar,” has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges involving drug trafficking and money laundering. The plea was entered on November 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo in New Orleans.
According to information presented in court, Aviles-Reyes and his co-conspirators distributed large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana. The group also traveled between New Orleans and other states to transport U.S. currency and narcotics for a drug trafficking organization operating between Louisiana and Mexico.
Aviles-Reyes faced three counts in a superseding indictment. Count One charged him with conspiracy to distribute significant amounts of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Count Two involved conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Count Four related to interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
If convicted on all counts, Aviles-Reyes faces substantial penalties: for the first count, a minimum prison term of ten years up to life imprisonment, a fine up to $10 million, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee; for the second count, up to twenty years’ imprisonment with fines reaching $500,000; for the fourth count, up to five years’ imprisonment with fines up to $250,000.
The prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF brings together multiple agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, and ATF—to combat criminal cartels and transnational criminal organizations both inside the United States and abroad. "Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations," according to officials.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Orleans Field Division Office with support from several agencies including the FBI; U.S. Border Patrol; local police departments from Gretna and Kenner; sheriff’s offices from Jefferson Parish, St. John’s Parish, Orleans Parish; and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman is overseeing prosecution efforts.
