A West Virginia native was arrested after transporting over 22 pounds of methamphetamine in a joint investigation between federal and local authorities.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Israel Chaires-Villa, 22, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2024, Chaires-Villa drove to Cross Lanes, West Virginia, from Houston, Texas, with approximately 22 lbs. of methamphetamine in his possession that he intended to deliver to another person in Cross Lanes.
Chaires-Villa was arrested as part of a joint investigation by federal and local law enforcement into a conspiracy that was responsible for delivering large quantities of methamphetamine to West Virginia and elsewhere from Houston.
Chaires-Villa is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had previously put an administrative detainer on Chaires-Villa so that deportation proceedings can occur once Chaires-Villa serves the sentence imposed in this case.
The joint investigation also resulted in the indictment of German Francisco Diaz, also known as “Trulio,” 40, Braulio Villa-Chairez, also known as “Raul,” 31, and Silvester Barcenas, 23. The indictment alleges the three Mexican nationals conspired to distribute quantities of methamphetamine in the Charleston area from in or about March 2024 to in or about October 2024. Trial is scheduled for April 15, 2025.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
