CRIME
SAN ANGELO, TX – Twenty-four people were indicted and arrested for dealing methamphetamine and other narcotics, and one person was booked on weapons charges, in a wide sweeping crime bust on May 28, according to local officials who held a press conference on Thursday.
The operation was part of a larger move by law enforcement that resulted in 48 arrests for drug and criminal conspiracy within the Northern District of Texas and the 119th Judicial District.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould gave some details about the operation, which they report was 18 months in the making, resulting in a coordinated law enforcement push called “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown” targeting members of a “large scale drug trafficking organization,” referred to as the “Walker Organization,” for a defendant who is named in “USA v. Casillas et. al
District Attorney John Best of the 119th Judicial District, Special Agents with FBI, DEA, and HSI, along with DPS, Tom Green County Sheriff Nick Hanna, and San Angelo Police Chief Travis Griffith spoke about the operation, which took place in the early hours of May 28.
May 28 Arrests Follow Federal Indictment
On the morning of May 28, SAPD reported that “court authorized arrest warrants in several neighborhoods in the City of San Angelo” were taking place. Which was reported by witnesses to the Concho Observer in the north San Angelo area as a heavy police presence, involving a helicopter search. One said that they could be seen on Bryant boulevard heading north out of town.
Raybould confirmed that along with the departments mentioned, U.S. Marshals performed the arrest and detainment, along with air support from Customs and Border Protection.
“In a Concho Valley first,” he said “Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked together and executed an 18-month mission to dismantle a large scale drug trafficking organization that extended from Del Rio, to Midland and to Llano county, and was centered here in San Angelo.”
Sheriff Nick Hanna spoke directly to the impact of the operation, saying “about 5:30 or 6 [a.m.], San Angelo woke up to a bevy of police activity, things we don’t normally see.
“Helicopters, armored personnel carriers, bobcats, swat teams, SRT teams, police departments, sheriffs office, and state and federal law enforcement all mobilizing.
Hanna continued: “And what we saw when we got to those houses is, we made quite an impact on the neighborhood…the reception we received from the neighbors even in those early hours was one of gratitude and one of thanks.”
Though it was unclear if the incident described took place on May 28, or if it was a preceding event to the federal indictments, Raybould said that during the operation, agents tracked down a large scale drug delivery at a “clandestine building in north San Angelo.”
“The alleged dealers fled in four separate directions, but they were ready, and four separate task force teams immediately pursued the targets in every direction successfully catching each one,” he said.
All in all, the operation seized ‘35,000 grams’ (around 77 pounds) of methamphetamine, smaller amounts of cocaine, and ten weapons.
Larger Federal Presence Promised
“I wanna be clear, this is just the start of our presence in the Concho Valley,” declared Raybould.
“Traditionally we haven’t had a huge federal presence, for whatever reason, in the Concho Valley. When I took an oath to defend the constitution, I also took an oath to protect this community, so this is just the start of a long standing working relationship that will help make our community safer.
“Under my watch we will have a large federal presence in the San Angelo division.”
According to a release published by the Northern Judicial District of Texas, “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown” is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.”
“The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.”
He gestured to local law enforcement, “These men and women here have been calling us more, partnering with us more, I expect they will continue to do so to ensure that the folks that live in and around San Angelo can live their lives without the fear of drug dealers, traffickers, and violent criminals hurting them or their families.
“So if you are a drug dealer, and child molester, or a human trafficker, a violent criminal, or someone who wants to target an elderly victim with fraud. I’m here to tell you that I’m coming for you, and they’re coming for you. We will make the Concho Valley and the Northern District of Texas safer and stronger together.”
During questions, Raybould detailed the widespread nature of the crime syndicate, which he says is international in its source.
While this operation was primarily focused on the San Angelo area, he said that one of the biggest dealers was based in Abilene. He said “Most of the drugs from from Mexico. The precursor chemicals from China.”
He said that the network was “international”, and that “we’re going to continue to go to the source, and we’re not going to stop.”
Named Defendants
According to Federal indictments “USA v. Hernandez,” “USA v. Meza,” and “USA v. Casillas et. al” a list of those charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine includes:
- Oscar Leonel Casillas Jr.,
- Cedrick Jerrod Jones
- George Henry Walker
- Marcus Maurice Parker
- Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.
- Shunte Gregory Ray
- Tasha Diane Rose
- Juan Carlos Sanchez
- Audry Michelle Allen
- Carlos Gregory Lopez Jr.
- Amanda Marlene Burney
- Michael Todd Holleman
- Daniel Arizola
- Alissa Johnn Catrett
- Jeannetta Antonetta James
- Brian Matthew Epperson
- Brandon Chappell
- Bannon Dalhart Roe
- Marcella Sanchez Hererra
- Roy Gene Nichols Jr.
- Ray Enriquez
- Rebecca Salcedo Leon
- Eric Hernandez
- Armando Meza
