Meth King Palomera Gets 20 Years – Ran Ring From Mexico

TACOMA, WA – Jesus Enrique Palomera, 39, a ruthless drug trafficker who continued to orchestrate his criminal enterprise even after fleeing to Mexico, received a 20-year federal prison sentence today, authorities announced. Palomera, the leader of a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring operating in the Tacoma area, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm as an alien.

The scope of Palomera’s operation was staggering. As early as 2010, he conspired with others to flood the streets with methamphetamine. But the drug trade wasn’t enough; Palomera also peddled firearms, arranging the sale of nine guns to an undercover law enforcement agent in a single day. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan, handing down the sentence, called the conspiracy one of the largest he’d seen, highlighting the chilling level of violence associated with the ring. “The threats of violence here were as bad as I have seen,” Bryan stated.

U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran didn’t mince words: “This defendant was a prolific drug dealer smuggling massive amounts of methamphetamine throughout the West Coast, and very specifically in the Tacoma area.” Moran emphasized the particularly brutal nature of Palomera’s leadership, noting his use of fear and intimidation, not just against rivals, but against the families of his co-conspirators – their children, parents, and loved ones. “This prison sentence puts an end to his drug ring powered by fear.”

Following a series of arrests in November 2011, Palomera fled to Mexico, but didn’t stop dealing. He continued to run the operation remotely, communicating with customers in Pierce County via Facebook. Authorities say Palomera wasn’t afraid to make threats via social media and instant messaging. The threats weren’t empty. More than 50 kilos of methamphetamine were transported from Mexico, through California and Oregon, to Washington state at Palomera’s direction between 2014 and 2015. The grim reality of his brutality became clear when one of his co-conspirators vanished, presumed dead after a shipment was seized by law enforcement. Evidence suggests Palomera directed the beating and killing of this individual, with text messages and photos corroborating his involvement.

Palomera was apprehended in Mexico in June 2015 and extradited to the United States in July 2016. He pleaded guilty in November 2017 to two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being an alien in possession of a firearm. He’s not the only one facing consequences. James E. Roberts, who owned an auto body shop in Lakewood, Washington – a central hub for the drug trafficking ring – received a ten-year prison sentence in December 2015. Other convicted conspirators include Lucas Manglona (ten years, February 2016), Tisha A. Janzen (ten years, July 2016), and Daniel R. Vasquez (70 months, May 2016).

The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), involved a multi-agency effort, including the Lakewood Police Department, Washington Department of Corrections, Los Angeles Police Department, Siskiyou County Drug Task Force, California Highway Patrol, Oregon State Police, and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dion and Amy Jaquette prosecuted the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.