Lucio Hernandez-Mora and Sandra Bejarano-Garcia, both Mexican nationals residing in the United States illegally, have been sentenced to federal prison for laundering more than one million dollars in drug proceeds. Hernandez-Mora also received a sentence for possessing firearms as an illegal alien.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, “Drug traffickers enrich themselves, and the narco-terrorist cartels that supply them, by spreading poison in our communities. Through the newly formed Homeland Security Task Force, the Department of Justice is employing every resource to identify, arrest and prosecute criminals who participate in the deadly drug trade. The sentences imposed on these illegal aliens who were entrusted with enormous amounts of cash and responsible for moving that money for cartel bosses send a strong message that anyone who supports drug trafficking will face significant punishment.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, said, “This case highlights the importance of targeting the financial infrastructure that supports drug trafficking organizations. Laundering criminal proceeds allows these organizations to operate, recruit, and expand. Through close coordination with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, the DEA will continue to identify and dismantle the financial networks that enable these dangerous criminal operations.”
Ryan Todd, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge added: “This case underscores the critical importance of interagency collaboration in combating drug-related crimes. The partnership between the DEA and ATF has proven essential in dismantling the financial networks that support drug trafficking. Together, we will ensure that those who exploit our communities for profit face the full force of the law.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg’s office: On December 9, 2024, Hernandez-Mora and Bejarano-Garcia delivered $674,905 in bulk-cash drug proceeds to co-conspirators in College Park, Georgia. On February 25, 2025 they delivered another $480,000 to associates in Riverdale, Georgia.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at their residence on April 1, 2025 and found an additional $217,810 believed to be from drug activity along with two unlawfully purchased firearms belonging to Hernandez-Mora.
On January 29th Judge Victoria M. Calvert sentenced Sandra Bejarano-Garcia (42) from Michoacán to four years and three months’ imprisonment followed by three years supervised release after her guilty plea on conspiracy charges last September.
On January 21st Lucio Hernandez-Mora (45) from Guerrero was sentenced by Judge Calvert to three years ten months’ imprisonment plus two years supervised release after pleading guilty last August to conspiracy charges as well as firearm possession by an illegal alien.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), assisted by Clayton County Police Department conducted this investigation; prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Hall.
This prosecution forms part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative using all Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration threats and transnational criminal organizations—and is also included under efforts led by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF coordinates among multiple agencies such as ATF CGIS DEA FBI ICE-HSI IRS-CI DOL-OIG DSS USMS USPIS USSS alongside state/local agencies; its Atlanta Wilhelm branch is managed through leadership from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Georgia.
The U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency across north Georgia—including Atlanta—handling major criminal prosecutions like this one while collaborating nationally/internationally on public safety issues affecting millions throughout its jurisdiction.
For more information contact Public Affairs at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or visit the official website.
