Silvester Barcenas, a 23-year-old Mexican national, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. This development was confirmed in Charleston, West Virginia.
Court documents reveal that on August 12, 2024, Barcenas arrived in Charleston with approximately 3.9 kilograms of methamphetamine. He admitted to possessing the drugs and delivering them as directed by a co-conspirator.
Barcenas is set for sentencing on June 30, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a potential $1 million fine.
This case is part of a larger investigation into a drug distribution network from Houston to West Virginia. Two other Mexican nationals were indicted alongside Barcenas by a federal grand jury. The indictment against German Francisco Diaz and Braulio Villa-Chairez remains pending with their trial scheduled for April 15, 2025.
Israel Chaires-Villa also pleaded guilty on February 13, 2025, related to this investigation and will be sentenced on June 2, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston praised the investigative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT).
The hearing was overseen by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn with Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuting.