JUAN CARLOS MOSQUERA-AMARI, Heroin Conspiracy, Louisiana 2018

Eleven Charged in Heroin Conspiracy

Eleven men from New Orleans and Houston have been charged with heroin conspiracy and firearms offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to a four-count second superseding indictment, the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin between July 19, 2017, and June 1, 2018. The indictment also charges several defendants with firearms offenses.

The defendants include JUAN CARLOS MOSQUERA-AMARI, age 46, of New Orleans; ALEXANDER MURIEL-DIAZ, age 52, of Houston; LUIS RAMOS GRAVEDEPERALTA, age 60, of Kenner; CARLOS ALBERTO GONZALEZ VALENCIA, age 36, of Houston; STEVEN DUNCAN, age 45, of Metairie; JOSE ANTONIO VALVERDE-CHACON, age 37, of Houston; JOHN JONES, age 43, of New Orleans; HARVEY VICTORIA-CUELLAR, age 38, of Houston; RODNEY ROBINSON, age 60, of New Orleans; JAVIER CONTRERAS-CASTILLO, age 26, of Houston; and GERARD HARRISON, age 30, of New Orleans.

ROBINSON is charged with one count of distribution of heroin, while JONES is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. HARRISON is charged with possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, the defendants face significant penalties, including mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment for the heroin conspiracy charges, up to life in prison, and fines of up to $10,000,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Maria M. Carboni handling the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the law enforcement agencies involved in the case.

A second superseding indictment is merely a charge, and the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is ongoing, and further details will be released as necessary.

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