COLUMBUS—Former Columbus Police Detective Stevie Billups, 48, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison for crimes he committed through his involvement with a local drug dealer.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Kevin Cornelius, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office (FBI); Karen Huey, Director of Enforcement for the Ohio Casino Control Commission; and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
Judge Graham also fined Billups $10,000 and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.
Billups pleaded guilty on November 22, 2013, to one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin. According to a document the government filed with the court prior to today’s sentencing, in 2013 Billups provided armed protection for two transactions involving drugs while he was a Columbus Police officer.
Billups began his relationship with a drug dealer when Billups began laundering money for the drug dealer by cashing in chips which helped the drug dealer avoid transaction reporting requirements at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus.
According to court documents, Billups asked the drug dealer to “get him in the game.” Billups’ query led to the June 28th and July 17th drug stings by the FBI, whereby Billups protected the drug dealer in the pickup of purported drug money. He later provided protection for the drug dealer during a transaction which Billups believed involved the distribution of heroin. Billups provided protection during the second transaction while he was on duty, armed with his service weapon, and in a Columbus Division of Police unmarked detective vehicle. Billups received a total of $5,000 in exchange for providing protection to the drug dealer during these transactions.
“Public confidence in our police to ‘do the right thing’ is undermined with each case of police corruption,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Squires told the court. “It is a police officer’s duty to uphold the law and protect the public....Billups’ intent to aid and further the problems that heroin has brought to our communities for his own profit indicates the serious nature of this offense.”
“Using a police officer’s badge and gun to commit crime is a particularly disturbing threat to the community,” stated SAC Kevin Cornelius. “This case highlights the fact that local, state, and federal agencies are working together to root out corruption and bring to justice those who betray the public’s trust.”
“Ohio Casino Control Commission and its gaming agents are committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to investigate criminal activity occurring at the casinos,” said Karen Huey. “The Commission will not tolerate money laundering or drug dealing at any of Ohio’s casinos.”
U.S. Attorney Stewart praised the cooperative investigation by the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the FBI’s Central Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes agents from the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Mr. Stewart commended the Columbus Division of Police and Police Chief Kim Jacobs for the cooperation they provided during the course of this investigation and thanked the Homeland Security Investigations Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force for helping initiate this investigation. The Bulk Cash Smuggling Task Force includes agents with Homeland Security Investigations and detectives with the Columbus Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Stewart also acknowledged Assistant United States Attorneys Doug Squires and David DeVillers, who prosecuted the case.
Showing posts with label drug charges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drug charges. Show all posts
Monday, May 5, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Second Former Gulf Cartel Plaza Boss Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges
BROWNSVILLE, TX—Jose Luis Zuniga-Hernandez, 46, aka Wicho or XW or Commandante Wicho, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to import more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between January 2002 and July 2013, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. As part of his plea, he has also agreed to a $5 million forfeiture. His brother, Armando Arizmendi Hernandez, 37, aka Commandante Mando or XW2, entered the same plea and agreed forfeiture on Tuesday, March 25, 2014.
Zuniga-Hernandez served as plaza boss of the El Control, Tamaulipas, Plaza, and during that time, Arizmendi Hernandez was second in command. Arizmendi-Hernandez became the plaza boss on November 6, 2010, when Zuniga-Hernandez assumed control of the Matamoros Plaza upon the death of Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen. On March 28, 2011, Rafael Cardenas-Vela came to Matamoros to take over the plaza management duties and Zuniga-Hernandez returned to the El Control Plaza. At that time, Arizmendi-Hernandez resumed his duties as second in command of the Plaza.
Cartel Del Golfo Transnational Criminal Organization (CDG) plaza bosses are appointed to specific regions to help coordinate the importation and distribution of multi-ton shipments of cocaine, marijuana, and other illicit narcotics within Mexico and into the United States. They are the lead representatives for the CDG in a particular region or town, responsible for maintaining control of the region and ensuring the safe passage of narcotics. The plaza boss also extracts a “piso,” or payment, from others who want to transport narcotics for importation into the United States or operate businesses in that region.
Zuniga-Hernandez received marijuana shipments from the states of Durango and Michoacán, Mexico, purchased at $60 per kilogram in Mexico and sold at $130 per kilogram in the U.S. Zuniga-Hernandez indicated the CDG smuggled more than one ton of cocaine through the Matamoros/El Control plaza areas and into the United States per month. Planes and clandestine air strips were used to fly the cocaine into Mexico for later importation and distribution within the United States.
Under his command were approximately 120 lookouts and 60 estacas. An estaca is a vehicle occupied by three or four armed individuals. Thus, 60 estacas would be anywhere from 180 to 240 armed individuals patrolling the plaza.
On October 27, 2011, Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez fled into the United States with Juan Rincon-Rincon and Luis Ivan Nino-Duenes after a gun battle in Mexico involving a power struggle between the plazas of the CDG. All were found and arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) hiding near the Rio Grande River. Upon their arrest, agents found a gold, diamond, and ruby encrusted gun; more than $39,000; and several cell phones. Evidence on those phones showed discussions with “Apa” about the gun battle and what to do in response. Apa was identified as Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, the head of the CDG. Also found were videos of Arizmendi Hernandez, Zuniga-Hernandez, and other members of the CDG in preparation for and after the October 27, 2011 gun battle.
Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez have stipulated that the total relevant conduct during their leadership was well in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Both have agreed they obtained at least $5 million in drug proceeds as a result of the conspiracy.
They face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Both will be sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Hilda G. Tagle on June 30, 2014.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Angel Castro and Jody Young are prosecuting.
Zuniga-Hernandez served as plaza boss of the El Control, Tamaulipas, Plaza, and during that time, Arizmendi Hernandez was second in command. Arizmendi-Hernandez became the plaza boss on November 6, 2010, when Zuniga-Hernandez assumed control of the Matamoros Plaza upon the death of Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen. On March 28, 2011, Rafael Cardenas-Vela came to Matamoros to take over the plaza management duties and Zuniga-Hernandez returned to the El Control Plaza. At that time, Arizmendi-Hernandez resumed his duties as second in command of the Plaza.
Cartel Del Golfo Transnational Criminal Organization (CDG) plaza bosses are appointed to specific regions to help coordinate the importation and distribution of multi-ton shipments of cocaine, marijuana, and other illicit narcotics within Mexico and into the United States. They are the lead representatives for the CDG in a particular region or town, responsible for maintaining control of the region and ensuring the safe passage of narcotics. The plaza boss also extracts a “piso,” or payment, from others who want to transport narcotics for importation into the United States or operate businesses in that region.
Zuniga-Hernandez received marijuana shipments from the states of Durango and Michoacán, Mexico, purchased at $60 per kilogram in Mexico and sold at $130 per kilogram in the U.S. Zuniga-Hernandez indicated the CDG smuggled more than one ton of cocaine through the Matamoros/El Control plaza areas and into the United States per month. Planes and clandestine air strips were used to fly the cocaine into Mexico for later importation and distribution within the United States.
Under his command were approximately 120 lookouts and 60 estacas. An estaca is a vehicle occupied by three or four armed individuals. Thus, 60 estacas would be anywhere from 180 to 240 armed individuals patrolling the plaza.
On October 27, 2011, Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez fled into the United States with Juan Rincon-Rincon and Luis Ivan Nino-Duenes after a gun battle in Mexico involving a power struggle between the plazas of the CDG. All were found and arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) hiding near the Rio Grande River. Upon their arrest, agents found a gold, diamond, and ruby encrusted gun; more than $39,000; and several cell phones. Evidence on those phones showed discussions with “Apa” about the gun battle and what to do in response. Apa was identified as Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, the head of the CDG. Also found were videos of Arizmendi Hernandez, Zuniga-Hernandez, and other members of the CDG in preparation for and after the October 27, 2011 gun battle.
Zuniga-Hernandez and Arizmendi Hernandez have stipulated that the total relevant conduct during their leadership was well in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Both have agreed they obtained at least $5 million in drug proceeds as a result of the conspiracy.
They face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Both will be sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Hilda G. Tagle on June 30, 2014.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Angel Castro and Jody Young are prosecuting.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
'Breaking Bad' contest winner arrested on drug charges
A man who won a contest to meet the cast of "Breaking Bad" back in September has been arrested on drug charges, CNN affiliate WBBH reported.
Ryan Lee Carroll, 28, was arrested Tuesday following a raid on a home in the San Carlos Park neighborhood in Fort Myers, Florida, the station reported.
Carroll, who was reportedly taken into custody on felony charges of alleged possession of synthetic narcotics and a misdemeanor charge of allegedly keeping a shop or vehicle for dangerous drugs, won a national contest to meet the "Breaking Bad" actors prior to that hit show's series finale.
The TV series centers on a science teacher turned meth dealer. Another character on the show, Saul Goodman, is a slick lawyer who employs questionable methods to help his clients.
"It's just so addicting," Carroll told WBBH of "Breaking Bad" at the time he won the contest. "It's such a good show. I think it's addicting because people can relate to the main character."
After the warrant was served on the home, neighbors told the station that the scene was like something out of a Hollywood production, with a swarm of police cars and dozens of officers descending on the neighborhood.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office's website, as of Thursday morning Carroll remained in custody.
Ryan Lee Carroll, 28, was arrested Tuesday following a raid on a home in the San Carlos Park neighborhood in Fort Myers, Florida, the station reported.
Carroll, who was reportedly taken into custody on felony charges of alleged possession of synthetic narcotics and a misdemeanor charge of allegedly keeping a shop or vehicle for dangerous drugs, won a national contest to meet the "Breaking Bad" actors prior to that hit show's series finale.
The TV series centers on a science teacher turned meth dealer. Another character on the show, Saul Goodman, is a slick lawyer who employs questionable methods to help his clients.
"It's just so addicting," Carroll told WBBH of "Breaking Bad" at the time he won the contest. "It's such a good show. I think it's addicting because people can relate to the main character."
After the warrant was served on the home, neighbors told the station that the scene was like something out of a Hollywood production, with a swarm of police cars and dozens of officers descending on the neighborhood.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office's website, as of Thursday morning Carroll remained in custody.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Wheatfield Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced that Filippo Inglima, 47, of Wheatfield, New York, an Italian citizen who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute a thousand kilograms or more of marijuana and five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 121 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The defendant will also forfeit $39,456,00 in United States currency, a rifle and ammunition, and a sport utility vehicle.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank T. Pimintel and Joseph M. Guerra, who handled the case, stated that from 2006 to 2007, Inglima owned Filippo’s Restaurant in Buffalo. Co-defendant David Gambino invested in the restaurant to help Inglima pay bills and other expenses of the restaurant. After that, Gambino asked Inglima to assist in the smuggling of drugs and money to and from Canada. Between 2006 and November 2009, Inglima conspired with Gambino and others to import quantities of marijuana from Canada and distribute the drug to other individuals in Buffalo. In addition, Inglima transported quantities of cocaine from the United States into Canada. The defendant picked up the cocaine in different parts of the United States including Chicago, Ohio, New York City, and New Orleans. During the period of the conspiracy, the defendant conspired to distribute 100 kilograms of cocaine and 1,800 kilograms of marijuana.
Inglima was arrested in November 2009 along with Gambino and 22 others. All defendants have been convicted. David Gambino was sentenced to 188 months in prison in November 2013.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank T. Pimintel and Joseph M. Guerra, who handled the case, stated that from 2006 to 2007, Inglima owned Filippo’s Restaurant in Buffalo. Co-defendant David Gambino invested in the restaurant to help Inglima pay bills and other expenses of the restaurant. After that, Gambino asked Inglima to assist in the smuggling of drugs and money to and from Canada. Between 2006 and November 2009, Inglima conspired with Gambino and others to import quantities of marijuana from Canada and distribute the drug to other individuals in Buffalo. In addition, Inglima transported quantities of cocaine from the United States into Canada. The defendant picked up the cocaine in different parts of the United States including Chicago, Ohio, New York City, and New Orleans. During the period of the conspiracy, the defendant conspired to distribute 100 kilograms of cocaine and 1,800 kilograms of marijuana.
Inglima was arrested in November 2009 along with Gambino and 22 others. All defendants have been convicted. David Gambino was sentenced to 188 months in prison in November 2013.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
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