An illegal alien from Mexico, a convicted felon, and an Austell man appeared in federal court on July 24 following narcotics operations across metro Atlanta that led to the seizure of more than 280 pounds of methamphetamine, over four pounds of fentanyl, and two illegally possessed firearms.
“Due to quick actions and diligent work of law enforcement across the region, the operations of these three alleged drug traffickers have been dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office stands committed to prosecute—to the fullest extent of the law—illegal aliens, felons, and others who poison and endanger our communities.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Field Division, said: “Drug traffickers continue to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs, which pose a significant threat to public safety. These federal charges reflect our unwavering commitment to protect the public and disrupt the criminal organizations responsible for this deadly trade. We will continue working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to stop fentanyl and other dangerous drugs at every level of distribution.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, on July 21 DEA agents arrested Silvano Mendoza-Valencia in Morrow after he allegedly sold about two pounds of methamphetamine; agents later found approximately 85 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fentanyl at his residence. The investigation revealed Mendoza-Valencia is allegedly an illegal alien from Mexico. On July 22 Christian Garcia-Esparza was stopped in Austell after allegedly selling more than six pounds of methamphetamine; searches uncovered additional quantities at his car and residence totaling over 100 pounds. That same day agents searched Robert Louis Burr’s College Park apartment where they found him next to a drawer containing two pounds of fentanyl as well as large amounts of methamphetamine throughout his apartment along with two firearms; Burr had prior felony convictions barring firearm possession.
All three defendants—Mendoza-Valencia (40), Garcia-Esparza (20), and Burr (45)—face conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances charges; all are currently detained by U.S. Marshals pending trial.
Members of the public are reminded that criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
These cases are being investigated by multiple agencies including DEA alongside several local police departments under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), violent crime perpetrators, and illegal immigration threats.
Theodore S. Hertzberg served as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia—a principal federal law enforcement agency serving about 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs up to borders with Alabama and Carolinas—and prioritized prosecution against terrorism threats while coordinating nationally significant cases with collaboration among law enforcement partners, according to the official website.