Federal Grand Jury Indicts Eight in Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

Some Defendants Also Faces Firearms Charges

LUBBOCK, Texas — A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment late today charging eight defendants with felony offenses stemming from their respective roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Each of the following defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine:

Natividad Gumaro Lopez-Guzman, 47, of Arizona

Flor Angelica Bustillos, 27, of Arizona

Gregorio Hernandez-Perez, a/k/a “Francisco Hernandez” and “Primo,” 27

Jesus Adrian Murillo-Angulo, a/k/a “Chavalon,” 20

 Michael Alvarado Garcia, 41, of Lubbock, Texas

Haylie Nicole Moreno, 25, of Lubbock

Edward  Adam Rodriguez, 22, of Lubbock

Brianna Lee Mendoza, 22, of Lubbock

In addition, Hernandez-Perez is charged with one substantive count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two substantive counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Hernandez-Perez is also charged with two firearms offenses:  one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

Garcia and Moreno are also each charged with one substantive count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Rodriguez and Mendoza are also each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and three firearms.  All of the defendants, with the exception of Bustillos, are in custody.

A federal indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.  If convicted, each faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in federal prison and a $10 million fine.  

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Lubbock Police Department; Abilene Police Department; Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol; Clovis, New Mexico Police Department; Curry County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department; New Mexico State Police, and the Maricopa County, Arizona HIDTA group are investigating.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Cunningham is in charge of the prosecution.