Papillion Couple Sentenced for Structuring, Husband for Meth Dealing

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United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Rafael Hermosillo and Dania Hermosillo of Papillion, Nebraska., were sentenced on November 8, 2011, in Omaha, Nebraska, by United States District Judge Lyle E. Strom. Dania Hermosillo was sentenced to five years’ probation for structuring. Rafael Hermosillo was sentenced to 72 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and to 60 months in prison for structuring. His sentences are to run concurrent with each other. In addition to his prison term, Mr. Hermosillo will serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison.

According to Stephen Boyd, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, “Structuring financial transactions to avoid currency reporting requirements is a criminal violation of federal law under the Bank Secrecy Act. Deliberately avoiding BSA requirements is a form of money laundering that will be vigorously investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation.”

During the period of February, 2006, to July, 2009, Rafael Hermosillo and Dania Hermosillo, husband and wife, conspired to structure, and did structure, a series of currency deposits into their business accounts at Bank of the West and First National Bank in order to cause these banks to not file the required currency transaction reports, which are required to be filed with the IRS for any cash transaction of $10,000 or more. Specifically from 2006 through 2009, they structured amounts totaling $1,030,477.00. From January 20, 2006, to July 28, 2009, there were a total of 305 currency deposits into the business accounts for All Cars and Trucks at both banks. As part of the case the Hermosillos agreed to the forfeiture to the United States of the business known as All Cars and Trucks, located at 7016 Railroad Avenue, Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska, including all its assets and all vehicles in the inventory, and the real property on which it is situated.

On August 1, 2007, Cesar Sanchez, working as an FBI informant, bought one pound of methamphetamine from Rafael Hermosillo. On August 10, 2007, Rafael Hermosillo sold Sanchez a half pound of methamphetamine. Sanchez was later murdered while working as an undercover FBI informant and that case was prosecuted by the Douglas County Attorney’s office.

Ms Gilg stated: “This case demonstrates the seriousness of the drug trade in the Metro Area and the connection of drugs to violence. Our office commends the cooperation and great work by the IRS, FBI and DEA.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and the DEA.