FAYETTEVILLE -- The final defendants in a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in Northwest Arkansas were sentenced to federal prison this week, according to prosecutors.
"These defendants transported large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Arkansas where they sold and distributed it into our communities," U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge said in a news release. "The drug trafficking organization responsible has now been successfully dismantled, and its members brought to justice."
Federal law enforcement agencies partnered with Rogers, Springdale and Eureka Springs police, the Washington County sheriff's office and Arkansas State Police to bust the ring.
Beginning in April 2014, investigators with U.S. Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rogers police made numerous controlled buys that resulted in the seizure of approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine and eight weapons, including one fully automatic rifle. Investigators were able to track some $150,000 in cash deposits at Arkansas banks that were withdrawn in California.
The defendants were sentenced as follows:
• Jarvis Miranda, also known as "Crazy," 35, of Springdale was sentenced Thursday to 24 years and five months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a gun, followed by three years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently. Miranda was found to be a career offender.
• Joey Jonathon Morse, also known as "Red," 30, of Springdale was sentenced May 26 to six years in prison followed by four years of supervised release on one count of delivery of methamphetamine.
• Rudy Richard Sanchez, also known as "Lil Man," 36, of Lowell, was sentenced on May 5 to 12 years and six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of delivery of methamphetamine. Sanchez was found to be a career offender.
• Roxanna Hernandez, 28, of Springdale was sentenced May 27 to one year and three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine.
• Fabian Uribe, also known as "Sporty," 28, of Arleta, Calif., was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $12,500 for conspiring to deliver methamphetamine. Uribe is a member of the "Project Boys," a street gang based in Pacoima, Calif., according to prosecutors.
• Cruz Eduardo Segundo, also known as "Eddie," 26, of North Hills, Calif., was sentenced Monday to 11 years and three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to deliver methamphetamine.
• Tara Marie Hickman, 39, of Burbank, Calif., was sentenced Monday to five years and 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to deliver methamphetamine.
• Sara Chaisson, 26, of Houma, La., was sentenced March 19 to 5 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to deliver methamphetamine.
• Henry Alonzo Diaz, also known as "Hank," 34, of Montebello, Calif., was sentenced Monday to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $25,000 for interstate or foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.
• Karen Vasquez-Benitez, 27, of Los Angeles, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $15,000 for interstate or foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises.
• Nichole Rana Hayes, 27, of Riverside, Calif., was sentenced May 27 to one year and three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Carter and Kenny Elser prosecuted the cases before U.S. District Judge Tim Brooks.
Metro on 06/03/2015