Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThree Indiana men were sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison and 19 other individuals also were handed prison terms for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation based out of Mexico that distributed across a wide swath of Indiana.
Isaias Gonzalez-Torres, 34, and Erlin Lucero-Asencio, 33, both of Indianapolis, were sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Lucero-Asencio also was found to be an illegal alien.
Abel Ayala-Harcia, 34, of Columbus, was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison.
“This case exemplifies the mission of Operation Take Back America, to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the devastating effects of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cartel-driven crime,” Tom Wheeler, interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said in a press release. “Thanks to the dedication of our law enforcement partners and AUSA, we have severed a key pipeline of deadly drugs and illicit funds flowing into Indiana.”
According to court documents, Gonzalez-Torres was the primary Indianapolis ringleader, responsible for distributing large amounts of meth, cocaine and fentanyl into Indianapolis and Seymour, Columbus and Terre Haute. Gonzalez-Torres and Lucero-Ascencio worked together to coordinate large shipments of meth and other illegal drugs from Mexico and other parts of the U.S. to bring to Indianapolis through drug couriers and mail parcels.
Once the shipments were acquired, the Indianapolis drug trafficking organization would redistribute the drugs to local distributors in Seymour, Columbus and Terre Haute, who would then redistribute to their local communities, authorities said.
Through their investigation, law enforcement seized a total of 82 pounds of meth, 1,750 fentanyl pills, a kilogram of cocaine and nine firearms, according to court documents.
“This case was a success thanks to the partnership between the Department of Justice, the DEA and local law enforcement Task Force Officers,” said Greg O’Brien, chief of the Seymour Police Department, in the announcement. “Without these TFOs, small rural towns wouldn’t have the resources to carry out operations like this. We value and appreciate our ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice.”
Also, from 2020 to 2022, the defendants and other conspirators engaged in various forms of money laundering, resulting in deposits and wire transfers totaling nearly $4 million, according to the Department of Justice.
One of the accused participants in the drug ring, Edeer Avila, 34, Mexico, remains a fugitive.
Others sentenced in the case are:
- Martin Felix-Garcia, 36, of Phoenix. Sentenced to 25 years in prison with five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Juliann Magallanez, 36, of Terre Haute, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- John Whiffing, 50, of Terre Haute, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Victor Vazquez-Hernandez, 42, of Seymour, Indiana, was sentenced to 10 years and seven months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
- Eduardo Rodriguez, 29, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 14 years and eight months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Andrew Calix-Maldonado, 30, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Julio Vicente-Guox, 36, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison and two years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Luis Daniel Hernandez, 27, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Jendry Medina, 23, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to nine years and two months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
- Abner Rodas-Aberlardez, 39, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Kenia Acosta, 41, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Jeami Waleska Sevilla Luna, 30, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to eight years and 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Dillon Smith, 34, of Terre Haute, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
- Allison Perdue, 27, of Seymour, was sentenced to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Eulailo Murillo-Resura, 34, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Nathan Lee, 31, of Columbus, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release for the distribution of meth.
- Emilio Landa-Lagunes, 27, of Seymour, was sentenced to six years in prison and three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth.
- Claudio Garcia-Morales, 38, of Columbus, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison and two years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
- Candy Medina-Corcoles, 27, of California, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison and two years of supervised release for conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.