Elvis Medrano, Drug Trafficking, Indiana 2020

Crime: Career Offender Leads Police on High-Speed Chases, Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana - Elvis Medrano, 43, of Pharr, TX, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA, and being a felon in possession of ammunition following a 4-day jury trial in May of 2022.

Medrano, a career offender, was found to have conspired with co-conspirators to sell methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA throughout Southern Indiana, specifically in Sullivan and Knox Counties, from spring 2020 through his arrest on August 3, 2020.

The evidence presented in court showed that Medrano obtained the illegal drugs from various sources in California, Missouri, and Illinois, and shipped them to different addresses through the U.S. Mail, parcel delivery, or to two vacant P.O. Boxes, which he had fraudulently obtained with the help of a corrupt U.S. Postal Service employee.

Postal Inspectors intercepted four of the drug parcels destined for Medrano’s group, but he continued to operate his drug trafficking organization, often leaving behind evidence of his drug sales. Medrano was seen armed on numerous occasions as he operated his conspiracy, and possessed several firearms, including 23 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a holster, and a gun cleaning kit.

Medrano led police on two high-speed chases, one through downtown Washington, Indiana, on July 7, 2020, and another through Sullivan County on June 1, 2020. He was finally arrested on August 3, 2020, after a standoff at a residence occupied by Medrano and others.

Medrano has prior state court felony convictions in Texas and Iowa for charges including robbery and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to deliver. As a result, he is prohibited from possessing ammunition and firearms by federal law.

Medrano was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, a significant punishment for his crimes. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General, with valuable assistance from the Indiana State Police, Washington (Indiana) Police Department, and Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/career-offender-who-led-police-two-high-speed-chases-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison