United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

LOCAL METHAMPHETAMINE RING LEADER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT ON DRUG CONSPIRACY CONVICTION

Alejandro Tamayo Charged with Aggravated Assault on a Federal Officer During Execution of Search and Arrest Warrants in February

Local methamphetamine distribution drug leader Alejandro Tamayo, age 44, was sentenced late yesterday to life imprisonment by the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, United States District Judge, announced United States Attorney Richard B. Roper.

Tamayo pled guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine. On February 16, 2006, the Dallas Police Department SWAT Unit was assisting the Drug Enforcement Administration in the execution of a federal search and arrest warrant at Tamayo’s home at 1228 Oak Park Drive in Dallas. Tamayo fired upon the SWAT officers as they as they attempted to make entry into the fortified home. Four officers sustained injuries, although none were life threatening. During the subsequent search of the home, law enforcement officers seized approximately $130,000 in U.S. currency, eight firearms and approximately two kilograms of cocaine.

At Monday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Lynn also ordered Tamayo to forfeit his interest in the residence at 1228 Oak Park Drive in Dallas, two vehicles, approximately $130,000 in currency, and the eight firearms and ammunition seized during the execution of the search warrant. Judge Lynn further ordered restitution in the amount of $37,662.44 to the City of Dallas for the injured officers’ medical bills.

Dallas Police Officers Adolfo Perez, Dale Hackbarth and Kenneth Wilkins testified at the hearing describing the events as they occurred the morning of the arrest and the nature and extent of their injuries.

Tamaya’s co-defendants Alonso Avalos, aka “Chapparito,” age 38, Pavel Nieto-Garcia, age 22, and Steven Cortez, aka “Burro,” age 33, have also pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and are scheduled for sentencing in February, 2007. Co-defendant Alayn Galindo is scheduled for trial in January, 2007, and co-defendants Jorge Nieto-Hernandez, age 54, and Adrian Montiel,age 52, remain fugitives.

The other related superseding indictment also charged each of the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine:

• Wally Lupe Cobos, age 58
• Donovan Whitehorse, age 20
• Jessie Rodriguez, age 33
• Jessie Mojica, age 57
• Arturo Gonzalez, a/k/a “Tury,” age 42

All of these defendants have pled guilty and Wally Lupe Cobos was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, Donovan Whitehorse was sentenced to 68 months and Jessie Mojica was sentenced to 108 months. Defendants Rodriguez and Gonzalez are scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Wally Lupe Cobos was ordered to forfeit to the United States his residence at 2225 SE 14th Street in Grand Prairie, Texas, one vehicle, miscellaneous electronic and video equipment, and miscellaneous pieces of jewelry. Jesse Mojica was ordered to forfeit his property at 922 S. Edgefield in Dallas and three firearms.

U.S. Attorney Roper thanked and praised the excellent cooperative investigative work of the North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie Police Departments. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanna O. Estessam.

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