Two individuals have pleaded guilty to charges connected to a 2022 murder in Miami linked to drug trafficking. Tsvia Kol, of Hallandale, and Jimmy Sanchez, of Spring Valley, California, both aged 37, admitted their involvement in the killing of a man they believed had stolen a package containing about 11 pounds of methamphetamine valued at roughly $90,000.
According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, Kol and Sanchez arranged to meet the victim in a hotel room after suspecting him of theft. Kol provided Sanchez with a firearm before entering the room. The victim called 911 and attempted to give his location as a confrontation began, which was followed by gunshots. Sanchez confessed to shooting and killing the victim in the hotel room. The body was discovered the next morning, and hotel security footage showed Kol and Sanchez leaving after the incident.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated: “This case illustrates that drugs and violence go hand in hand. As part of their drug operation, these defendants shipped large amounts of methamphetamine, and when they thought the victim stole their product, they killed him in cold blood. The Criminal Division will continue prosecuting serious drug crimes, with and without violence involved, to protect the public from the grave consequences that occur, like they did here.”
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida commented: “These guilty pleas lay bare the deadly reality of drug trafficking. This was a cold-blooded murder driven by the drug trade, where intimidation and greed turned narcotics trafficking into violence and death. Our Office will use every federal tool available to dismantle these organizations and hold accountable anyone who chooses violence as a means of doing business.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division said: “This transnational investigation is the result of law enforcement partners pulling resources and working together to bring these criminals to justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office added: “Illegal drug trafficking inherently results in violence which is inflicted by the criminal drug networks that distribute them. The impact on our communities is real and devastating. The FBI is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners in our common goal of making our communities safe by combating drug-related violence.”
Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Miami Division noted: “Postal Inspectors are committed to maintaining the safety of the community and employees of the U.S. Postal Service. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue anyone who uses the nation's mail system for illegal or dangerous use.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office, Hialeah Police Department, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Kol and Sanchez admitted not only to committing murder but also distributing nearly 11 pounds of methamphetamine as part of their plea agreements. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for later this year.
Trial Attorney Jessica A. Massey from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monique Botero and Jacob Koffsky for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting this case.
This prosecution falls under an ongoing initiative by federal authorities aiming to address violent crime associated with gangs through collaboration between federal agencies such as https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ocgs/violent-crime-initiative/violent-crime-initiative-partnerships-and-resources.
More information about related court documents can be found at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20264.
