FARGO – United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley, District of North Dakota, along with United States Attorney Billy J. Williams, District of Oregon, and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced that a Colombian fentanyl trafficker, who was scheduled to go to trial October 1, 2019, pleaded guilty earlier today to being the leader and organizer of a continuing criminal enterprise while incarcerated in Quebec, Canada. He moved fentanyl and other similar substances from Canada and China into the United States and those drugs resulted in serious bodily injury and deaths.

Daniel Vivas Ceron, 38, of Colombia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal in Fargo, ND, to continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, and money laundering. Vivas Ceron faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison at his sentencing, date to be determined.

At the plea hearing, Vivas Ceron admitted that between 2013 and 2017, Chinese sources shipped several hundred pounds of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues to the United States and Canada. Vivas Ceron and members of his conspiracy imported these opioids into the United States and distributed them to their customers around the country. Vivas Ceron ran his drug trafficking organization from a jail cell in Canada, and he concealed his identity to facilitate the conspiracy by using aliases, encrypted WICKR accounts, and numerous email addresses. Vivas Ceron and his co-conspirators’ distribution in Canada and the United States resulted in 15 overdoses in North Dakota, Oregon, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Rhode Island, including four fatal overdoses, one of which was Grand Forks resident 18-year-old Bailey Henke.

“From a Canadian jail cell, Daniel Vivas Ceron directed a deadly drug ring that fueled the opioid epidemic and took the lives of four Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski.  “Today’s guilty plea brings some measure of justice for the victims and families that fell prey to Vivas Ceron’s dangerous organization and its tragic track record of spreading addiction and abuse.” 

United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley for the District of North Dakota said, “Ultimate justice can seem elusive in a case with such a wide swath of destruction.   The defendant and his co-conspirators built themselves an organization that made them into regional, national, and international merchants of death, and today’s guilty plea is an important milestone in the quest for justice on behalf of those who died and those who were injured by the defendant’s ruinous quest for profits.”

 “I want to personally commend the team of prosecutors and investigators who worked so ably across the nation and globe to make today’s guilty plea possible.  We will work assiduously to secure a sentence that reflects the light of justice on the far-reaching damage done to innumerable victims, families, and communities,” Wrigley stated.

“Daniel Vivas Ceron’s heinous crimes have caused unthinkable pain and anguish for dozens of people in Oregon and far beyond, including four victims who lost their lives to fatal overdoses. At a time when our country desperately tries to free itself from the painful grip of the opioid crisis, criminals like Ceron and his more than 20 co-defendants are seeking to profit off addiction and death,” said Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The tragic irony of crime is that while Ceron will continue to live out his life in prison or beyond, four of his victims will not. The damage he caused is permanent. We cannot forget that.” 

“My heart goes out to the friends and families of those who lost their lives as a result of the greed and selfishness of all of the individuals involved in this case,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Seattle, WA. “The amount of cooperation between HSI and our state, federal, and international partners was invaluable to halting the deadly actions of this complex drug organization. While we will never know how many lives are saved because of our efforts, we hope we are able to provide just a small bit of peace to the families whose lives are forever changed as a result of the offender’s careless actions.” 

“The Portland Police Bureau is fully committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to combat the illegal distribution and trafficking of deadly opioids in our communities,” said Art Nakamura, Commander, Tactical Operations – Drugs and Vice, Portland Police Bureau, Portland, OR.  “The Police Bureau, along with our partners, strive to keep our community members safe from these drug traffickers who sell these deadly drugs in our neighborhoods throughout our country. With this partnership, we will hold those responsible for distributing these deadly drugs accountable.”

On January 25, 2017, Vivas Ceron was extradited to the United States from Panama after Panamanian authorities authorized the extradition. Following his deportation from Canada, Vivas Ceron was taken into custody at the Tocumen International Airport, Panama City, Panama, on July 17, 2015, pursuant to an arrest warrant in connection with an Indictment filed in the District of North Dakota. After Vivas Ceron’s arrest in July 2015, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, together worked diligently to extradite Vivas Ceron.

This case is part of “Operation Denial,” an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into the international trafficking of fentanyl and other lethal drugs, and was significantly aided by the national and international coordination led by the multi-agency Special Operations Division (S.O.D.) near Washington, DC, as part of “Operation Deadly Merchant.” The investigation started in North Dakota on January 3, 2015, with the overdose death in Grand Forks, ND, of Bailey Henke.

Additional defendants charged in federal court in this investigation include:

District of North Dakota

Jian Zhang, aka Hong Kong Zaron, 40, of China; Jason Joey Berry, aka Daniel Desnoyers, 36, of Quebec, Canada; Xuan Cahn Nguyen, aka Jackie and Jackie Chan, 39, of Quebec Canada; Marie Um, aka Angry Bird, 38, of Quebec, Canada; Vannek Um, 41, of Quebec, Canada; and Linda Van, 27, of Quebec, Canada, were charged by a Superseding Indictment returned on Jan. 18, 2018, with drug trafficking conspiracy. Also charged with international money laundering conspiracy were Na Chu, 38; Yeyou Chu, 37; Cuiying Liu, 63; and Keping Zhang, 63, all Chinese nationals;

In a separate indictment returned on March 22, 2018, Steven Barros Pinto, aka Yeaboy, 38, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, conspiracy to import controlled substances and controlled substance analogues into the United States resulting in serious bodily injury and death, and continuing criminal enterprise. On Nov. 28, 2018, a Superseding Indictment was filed adding the charges of obstruction of justice and money laundering conspiracy. Trial is set for October 1, 2019;

Brandon Corde Hubbard, 44, of Portland, OR, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death, distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, and money laundering conspiracy. He was sentenced on July 13, 2016, to serve life in federal prison;

Ryan Jon Jensen, 24, of Grand Forks, ND, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death, one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury, and money laundering conspiracy. He was sentenced on February 1, 2016, to serve 240 months in federal prison;

Joshua Tyler Fulp, 24, of Grand Forks, ND, pleaded guilty on June 23, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death. He was sentenced to serve 144 months in federal prison;

Kain Daniel Schwandt, 23, of Grand Forks, ND, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced on January 25, 2016, to serve 42 months in federal prison;

David Todd Noye Jr., 18, of Grand Forks, ND, pleaded guilty on May 4, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced on January 25, 2016, to serve 39 months in federal prison;

Jameson Robert Sele, 24, of Grand Forks, ND, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced on July 27, 2015, to serve 36 months in federal prison;

Ronnie Lee Helms, 34, of Acworth, GA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue resulting in serious bodily injury and death. His sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2019;

Braden James Foley, 32, of Olympia, WA, pleaded guilty on August 11, 2016, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced to serve 30 months in federal prison on November 21, 2016;

Anthony Santos Gomes, 34, originally of Rhode Island and Davie, FL, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, and money laundering conspiracy.  In addition to pleading guilty, Gomes agreed to forfeit a residence located in Davie, FL; $162,836.00 in cash; 2007 Maserati Quattroporte; 2017 Polaris Sportsman XP ATV; and assorted jewelry valued at $64,725.00. His sentencing has been set for November 15, 2019;

Amanda Schneider, 29, Port S. Lucie, FL, pleaded guilty on September 17, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. She was sentenced on January 17, 2019, to 15 months in federal prison;

Keveen Nobre, 29, Providence, RI, pleaded guilty on October 10, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 17, 2019, to 30 months in federal prison;

Robinson Gomez, 36, Charlotte, NC, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 17, 2019, to 180 months in federal prison;

David Campbell, 58, Plantation, FL, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019, to

conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 17, 2019, to 120 months in federal prison;

Louis Bell, 31, Port St. Lucie, FL, pleaded guilty on November 8, 2018, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 18, 2019, to 204 months in federal prison;

Elizabeth Ton, 28, David, FL, pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, to money laundering conspiracy. She was sentenced on March 8, 2019, to 41 months in federal prison; and

Danny Gamboa, 22, Pawtucket, RI, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 17, 2019, to 25 months in federal prison.

 

District of Oregon

Channing Lacey, 32, of Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty on March 28, 2017, to one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury to three individuals and one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death. She was sentenced on August 28, 2017, to serve 135 months in federal prison;

Steven Fairbanks Locke, 43, of Portland, OR, pleaded guilty on June 14, 2017, to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense. His sentencing is set for November 18, 2019; and

Carissa Marie Laprall, 27, of Portland, OR, pleaded guilty on March 28, 2017, to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury. Her sentencing is set for December 2, 2019.

 

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Portland Oregon Police Bureau – Drugs and Vice Division, Portland HIDTA Interdiction Task Force; Oregon State Police; and the Grand Forks Police Department.

The prosecutors for this case are Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers, District of North Dakota; Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin, District of Oregon and as a Special Assistant U.S Attorney in North Dakota; and Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose and Trial Attorney Kaitlin Sahni, Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Justice Department.

Based upon the Change of Plea, Judge Senechal will issue a report and recommendation to Federal District Court Judge John P. Bailey, Northern District of West Virginia, to formally accept Vivas Ceron’s guilty plea.

The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

 

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NOTE: The relevant case documents can be found here: Pinto Indictment, Zhang Superseding Indictment, U.S. Treasury Press Release, and Zhang Chart.

Total of 28 Charged With Conspiracy to Distribute Fetanyl and Other Lethal Drugs Resulting in Deaths and Injury

            WASHINGTON – Na Chu, 37; Yeyou Chu, 36; Cuiying Liu, 62; and Keping Zhang, 62, all Chinese nationals, were charged by a superseding indictment returned on Jan. 18, with international money laundering conspiracy, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers for the District of North Dakota and Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced today.

The charges come as part of “Operation Denial,” an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into the international trafficking of fentanyl and other lethal drugs, and was significantly aided by the national and international coordination led by the multi-agency Special Operations Division (S.O.D.) near Washington D.C. as part of “Operation Deadly Merchant.” The investigation started in North Dakota on Jan. 3, 2015, with the overdose death in Grand Forks of 18-year-old Bailey Henke.

“Fentanyl and its analogues killed more Americans than any other drug in 2016, and the vast majority of it comes from China,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “The defendants in this case allegedly trafficked fentanyl from China to 11 states from coast to coast.  As a result, Americans died in at least three states.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in North Dakota and Oregon, the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, DEA, HSI, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and dozens more law enforcement officers across the United States and Canada who helped make these indictments possible.  Today’s indictments are a step toward dismantling an alleged international fentanyl trafficking operation and eventually ending this nation’s unprecedented drug crisis.”

Additional defendants previously charged in this superseding indictment with drug trafficking conspiracy include Jian Zhang, aka Hong Kong Zaron, 39, of China; Jason Joey Berry, aka Daniel Desnoyers, 35, of Quebec, Canada; Anthony Santos Gomes, aka Ant, 33, of Davie, Florida; Elizabeth Ton, aka Lisa Gomes, 26, of Davie, Florida; Xuan Cahn Nguyen, aka Jackie and Jackie Chan 38, of Quebec Canada; Marie Um, aka Angry Bird, 37, of Quebec, Canada; Vannek Um, 40, of Quebec, Canada; and Linda Van, 25, of Quebec, Canada.

In a separate indictment returned on March 22, Steven Barros Pinto, aka Yeaboy, 36, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death, conspiracy to import controlled substances and controlled substance analogues into the United States resulting in serious bodily injury and death, continuing criminal enterprise, and a forfeiture allegation.

Additional defendants charged in this indictment with drug trafficking conspiracy include: Louis Felix Bell, 30, of West Palm Beach, Florida; Amanda Renee Schneider, 27, of West Palm Beach; Danny Silva Gamboa, 21, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Robinson Andres Gomez, aka Rob, 25, of Pineville, North Carolina; and Keveen Odair Nobre, aka Young Money, 28, of Pawtucket.

Additional defendants charged in Federal court as a result of this investigation include:

District of North Dakota

 

Daniel Vivas Ceron, 37, of Colombia – awaiting trial currently set for Sept. 11;

Jameson Robert Sele, 23, Grand Forks, North Dakota, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced on July 27, 2015 to 36 months in prison;

Ryan Jon Jensen, 23, of Grand Forks, pleaded guilty on Feb. 27, 2015 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury and money laundering conspiracy.  He was sentenced on Feb. 2, 2016 to serve 20 years in prison;

David Todd Noye Jr., 21, of Grand Forks, pleaded guilty on May 4, 2015 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced on Jan. 25, 2016 to three years and three months in prison;

Joshua Tyler Fulp, 23, of Grand Forks, pleaded guilty on June 23, 2015 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death and was sentenced to 12 years in prison;

Kain Daniel Schwandt, 21, of Grand Forks, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2015 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced on Jan. 25, 2016 to three years and six months in prison;

Brandon Corde Hubbard, 43, of Portland, Oregon was indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death, distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced on July 13, 2016 to life in prison;

Ronnie Lee Helms, 33, of Acworth, Georgia pleaded guilty on March 1, 2017 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogues resulting in serious bodily injury and death. Sentencing is set for Oct. 1; and

Braden James Foley, 31, of Olympia, Washington pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2016 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance and was sentenced on Nov. 21, 2016 to 30 months in prison.

 

District of Oregon

 Channing Lacey, 30, of Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty on March 28, 2017 to one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury to three individuals and one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and was sentenced to 135 months in prison;

Carissa Marie Laprall, 26, of Portland, pleaded guilty on March 28, 2017 to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing is set for Jan. 14, 2019; and

Steven Fairbanks Locke, 42, of Portland, pleaded guilty on June 14, 2017 to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug offense. Sentencing is set for Oct. 29.

These cases are being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau – Drugs and Vice Division; Portland HIDTA Interdiction Task Force; Oregon State Police and the Grand Forks Police Department.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Adrienne Rose of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic & Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

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