INDIANAPOLIS–Drug dealing and money laundering indictments have been handed down by a federal grand jury in a case involving meth, cocaine and fentanyl, and distribution of the drugs in and around Indy.
The court documents say the drug ring was comprised of individuals in California and Mexico who would send the drugs to Indianapolis. The dealers would sell the drugs and send the money back to California, until the ring was busted by the FBI and IRS investigators at the end of 2020.
Over $780,000 was exchanged during this investigation, said a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office.
During the arrests, search warrants were also executed at various locations. In total, 15 handguns, 3 rifles, 2 shotguns, $42,000, 274 grams of cocaine and 150 pounds of marijuana were seized. Four vehicles were also seized.
The nine people charged include:
- Martin Herrera-Diaz Jr., 29, Indianapolis, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
- Sandra Herrera, 22, Indianapolis, money laundering.
- Jerzon Herrera, 28, Indianapolis, money laundering, distribution of cocaine.
- Antonio Partida-Chavez, 29, Mexico, five counts of distribution of controlled substances.
- Andy Partida-Chavez, 25, Indianapolis, distribution of controlled substances.
- Brandon Vidal, 27, Indianapolis, distribution of controlled substances.
- Miriam Rodriguez Arguello, 32, Indianapolis, distribution of controlled substances.
- Eric Martinez, 25, Indianapolis, distribution of controlled substances.
- Arnoldo Gonzalez Chavez, 23, Indianapolis, distribution of controlled substances.
According to the Dept. of Justice, the people charged could face anywhere from 20 years to life in prison. From the news release:
If convicted, those charged with money laundering face up to 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine and up to 3 years supervised release. If convicted, those charged with distribution of controlled substances face 10 years to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, and not less than 5 years supervised release. Jerzon Herrera also faces an additional 20-year imprisonment, $1,000,000 fine and not less than 3 years supervised release for his distribution of cocaine charge. Martin Herrera-Diaz Jr. also faces an additional 10 years to life imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine, and no less than 5 years supervised release for the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
