Federal and state authorities have arrested 19 individuals for their alleged roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Waco area, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash; Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt; and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants include:

 

Name                                                              Age     Residence                   Statutory Maximum Penalty

Rene Marquez Lopez                                          42        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment

Peter Nino                                                            34        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment

Brandon Roy Stout                                             34        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment

Lloyd Ray Gatlin                                                 44        Waco                           10 years to life imprisonment

**Justin Rene Hernandez                                 31        Dallas                          10 years to life imprisonment

Cruz Oviedo                                                         26        Austin                         10 years to life imprisonment

Kyle Anthony Baker                                           33        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Juli Jenice Aleman (aka Juli Jenice Garcia)  41        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Devito Dembinsky                                          30        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Benito Rodriguez                                                37        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Decedreon Miller                                            38        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Ricky Rivera                                                        43        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Julian Rivera                                                       39        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Shauna Gilstrap                                                  39        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

James Leroy McMillion                                     54        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Brent May                                                            55        Whitney, TX               5 to 40 years imprisonment

Sandra Oviedo (aka Sandra Cardenas)           25        Austin                         5 to 40 years imprisonment

**Jesus Juan Lopez                                             41        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

Nicholas Charles Caufield                                43        Waco                           5 to 40 years imprisonment

** Already in custody prior to today

Authorities allege that since January 2017, these defendants were responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Waco and surrounding areas. 

During this investigation, authorities seized approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur next week before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske in Waco. 

The DEA, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Waco Police Department are investigating this case.  The U.S. Marshals Service and the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance with today’s arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.