Eleven Sentenced to Combined 97.5 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Offenses

            U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “These defendants transported large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Arkansas where they sold and distributed it into our communities.  The drug trafficking organization responsible has now been successfully dismantled, and its members brought to justice.  Our office remains focused on identifying and prosecuting those responsible for bringing drugs onto our streets and crime into our communities.”

            “Methamphetamine is a plague that drug traffickers inflict upon law-abiding communities without any regard for the violence and destruction that often accompanies its use,” said Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Jerry Templet. “This case illustrates the successful ongoing partnership between HSI, ATF, the DEA, and local law enforcement partners with the Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department, Eureka Springs Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office that continue to identify and bring Arkansas drug traffickers to justice.”

            "These sentences mark the final blow reflecting the successful dismantling of this large scale methamphetamine trafficking organization," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Downing.  "By removing these criminals from the streets of Arkansas, they can no longer distribute this toxic poison to our communities.  Through remarkable partnerships with HSI, ATF, and local law enforcement partnerships with Rogers Police Department, Springdale Police Department, Eureka Springs Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, we are making major progress in preventing meth trafficking from taking hold in our communities.  This investigation is a compelling example of that success." said Downing.

            As early as April, 2014, investigators with United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Rogers, Arkansas Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization involving the distribution of methamphetamine in Northwest Arkansas.  Numerous controlled buys, surveillance, search warrants, and monitoring were used during the course of the investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine and eight weapons, including one fully automatic rifle.  Investigators were able to track approximately $150,000.00 in cash deposits made into Arkansas banks which were later withdrawn in California.

            The defendants were sentenced as follows:

            Rudy Richard Sanchez, aka “Lil Man”, 36, of Lowell, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 5, 2015, to 151 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Delivery of More Than Five Grams of Actual Methamphetamine. At sentencing, Sanchez was found to be a Career Offender.

            Jarvis Miranda, aka “Crazy”, 35, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 28, 2015, to 293 months in prison, 240 months on count one, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and 120 months on count two, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, with 53 months on count two to run consecutively to count one, and 67 months on count two to run concurrently with count one, followed by three years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently.  At sentencing, Miranda was found to be a Career Offender.

            Fabian Uribe, aka “Sporty”, 28, of Arleta, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, a $12,500.00 fine and a five year denial of federal benefits on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectable Amounts of Methamphetamine.  Uribe is a member of the “Project Boys” (Sureno faction) a violent street gang based in Pacoima, California.

            Cruz Eduardo Segundo, aka “Eddie”, 26, of North Hills, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 135 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a five year denial of federal benefits on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectible Amounts of Methamphetamine.

            Joey Jonathon Morse, aka “Red”, 30, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 26, 2015, to 72 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine.

            Tara Marie Hickman, 39, of Burbank, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Substance Containing Detectible Amounts of Methamphetamine.

            Sara Chaisson, 26, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced on March 19, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.

            Henry Alonzo Diaz, aka “Hank”, 34, of Montebello, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, and a $25,000.00 fine on one count of Interstate or Foreign Travel or Transportation In Aid of Racketeering Enterprises.

            Karen Vasquez-Benitez, 27, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced on June 1, 2015, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $15,000.00 fine on one count of Interstate or Foreign Travel or Transportation In Aid of Racketeering Enterprises.         

            Nichole Rana Hayes, 27, of Riverside, California, was sentenced on May 27, 2015, to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine.

            Roxanna Hernandez, 28, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced on May 27, 2015, to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on one count Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Methamphetamine.

            This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Rogers, Arkansas Police Department, the Springdale, Arkansas Police Department, the Eureka Springs, Arkansas Police Department, the Washington County, Arkansas Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon Carter and Kenny Elser prosecuted the cases for the United States.

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            Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov