Seven individuals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization operating in Marshall County, Alabama. The organization was reportedly directed from Mexico. This information was announced by United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the FBI's Birmingham Division.
United States District Judge Corey L. Maze handed down the sentences as follows:
- Armando Trevino-Vazques, 42, from Crossville, Alabama, received a 120-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- Carlos Antonio Hernandez-Corona, 32, from Boaz, Alabama, was sentenced to 78 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
- Juan Hernandez, 44, from Albertville, Alabama, was given a 70-month sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Gregory Allen Huff, 43, from Arab, Alabama, received a 61-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Angel Hernandez Jr., 25, from Boaz, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
- Thomas Gaspar, 35, also from Boaz, Alabama, received a 36-month sentence for unlawful use of a communications facility.
- Juan Damian Cortes, 33, from Albertville, Alabama was sentenced to five months for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
According to plea agreements associated with the case, the drug trafficking operation used "dead drops" as part of its method for distributing methamphetamine and handling bulk currency transactions. Purchasers would contact suppliers in Mexico and receive instructions on where to meet an individual to pay for drugs before being informed where they could pick up the drugs.
U.S. Attorney Escalona emphasized the commitment of her office: “My office will use every tool in our toolbox to dismantle drug trafficking organizations intent on flooding the Northern District of Alabama with illegal drugs... We are committed to ending the devastating impact these drugs have had on communities within our District."
Special Agent Peeples reiterated this commitment: “These sentencings demonstrate the FBI’s relentless determination... Disrupting organizations like this one is a priority objective of the FBI’s mission."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s North Alabama Criminal Enterprise Task Force with assistance from local law enforcement agencies including the Marshall County Drug Task Force and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell E. Penfield and John M. Hundscheid led the prosecution efforts.