14 LUFKIN AND NACOGDOCHES RESIDENTS ARRESTED IN DRUG CONSPIRACY

The following is the information provided by the US Attorney General’s Office.

     U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that 14 individuals have been arrested following a year-long investigation into drug trafficking in the Lufkin and Nacogdoches area.

     A 12-count sealed indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on Mar. 17, 2011, charging 11 individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Three of the individuals are also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A separate sealed indictment in another unrelated case was also filed on Mar. 17, 2011, charging Teodocio Carrera, also known as Maclovio Ocon, along with two other individuals, with conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

The following individuals are in custody:

Defendants in Custody: DOB City of Residence

Jesus Pineda 4/24/1982 Nacogdoches, Texas

Antonio Mendoza 1/17/1986 Nacogdoches, Texas

Israel Colin 8/20/1982 Nacogdoches, Texas

Esteban Castro 9/26/1985 Nacogdoches, Texas

Robert Max Wilson 4/17/1986 Lufkin, Texas

Leocadio Garcia Rivera 9/26/1984 Nacogdoches, Texas

Eleazar Rivera Estrada 2/03/1989 Nacogdoches, Texas

Augustin Chacon 9/28/1966 Lufkin, Texas

Armando Colin 8/21/1983 Nacogdoches, Texas

Ramiro Samarripa 5/29/1969 Lufkin, Texas

Margarita Pineda unknown Nacogdoches, Texas

Nelson Rodriguez 3/13/1974 Nacogdoches, Texas

Teodocio Carrera a/k/a 5/29/1962 Nacogdoches, Texas

Maclovio Ocon

     The indictment seeks the forfeiture of $1 million cash in drug proceeds. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of 6 pieces of real estate property in Lufkin and Nacogdoches and multiple vehicles that were utilized in the drug trafficking crimes.

     This case is being investigated by the FBI, the ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division, the Nacogdoches Police Department, the Lufkin Police Department, assisted by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, Center Police Department, Nacogdoches County Constable Precinct 4, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Flournoy.

     A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.