New Orleans and Houston Men Charged with Heroin Conspiracy

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JUAN CARLOS MOSQUERA-AMARI, age 46, of New Orleans, ALEXANDER MURIEL-DIAZ, age 52, of Houston, Texas, LUIS RAMOS GRAVEDEPERALTA, age 60, of Kenner, CARLOS ALBERTO GONZALEZ VALENCIA, age 36, of Houston, Texas, STEVEN DUNCAN, age 45, of Metairie, and JOSE ANTONIO VALVERDE-CHACON, age 37, of Houston, Texas, were charged in a one-count indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired with each other and others between December 11, 2017 and February 27, 2018, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.

If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.