Joint Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests

Guilford County Residents Charged with Drug and Firearms Violations

GREENSBORO, NC—A total of 13 individuals were arrested recently on federal and state charges in a group of cases resulting from a two-year investigation, announced United States Attorney Ripley Rand.

The joint investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Violent Crimes Task Force. Agencies participating in the task forces and the recent arrests include the FBI, ATF, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI), High Point Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, and Winston-Salem Police Department.

ISRAEL PEREZ GARCIA, aka Esequiel Garcia Guzman, age 35, of Archdale, and DWAYNE LANNY CUTHRELL, age 44, of High Point, are charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in Guilford County, North Carolina and elsewhere. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. GARCIA is also charged with one count of distributing 255 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, which also carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. GARCIA also faces two firearms charges: carry and use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The penalty for the carry and use charge is not less than five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The penalty for the felon in possession charge is not more than 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

GARCIA is in state custody on charges related to the instant federal offense and has been served with a federal detainer. CUTHRELL is in state custody on unrelated charges and has been served with a federal detainer.

KENNETH LOUIS QUICK, age 46, of High Point, is charged in a federal indictment with possession of a firearm by an armed career criminal. The charge carries a potential penalty of not less than 15 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. QUICK was in state custody when indicted and has been served with a federal detainer.

JOSE GALVIN VAZQUEZ, age 31, of High Point, is charged in a complaint with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The complaint alleges VAZQUEZ is a member of the Sur-13/Los Primos-13 gang.

ANTONIOS SANTOS, age 19, of High Point, and SAIFUR REHMAN KHAN, age 23, of High Point, are charged in a complaint with conspiring to sell a firearm to a convicted felon. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The complaint alleges SANTOS is a member of the Sur-13/Los Primos-13 gang. SANTOS was arrested on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, following a traffic stop and is in state custody.

VAZQUEZ and KHAN were arrested this morning and appeared this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge L. Patrick Auld in Winston-Salem federal court and were ordered detained.

The investigation also led to the arrest today of seven individuals in Greensboro and High Point on state charges, including one minor and the following six adults:

Ever Lopez Pacheco, age 27 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

Dimas Pulido, age 31 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

Adan Bustos, age 32 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

Jose Soto, age 34 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

Evoidio Pacheco, age 36 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

Manuel Pacheco, age 42 – Felony obtaining property by false pretense

U.S. Attorney Rand praised the outstanding work of the Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces and thanked the participating law enforcement agencies for their contributions to the investigation leading to the arrests.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment, complaint, or other charging instrument are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.