Methamphetamine, Cocaine and Marijuana Ring Busted

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sixteen individuals are facing federal drug conspiracy charges for their involvement in a multi-state drug trafficking ring that distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Western North Carolina.

According to allegations contained in the criminal indictment, from 2014 until August 2018, the defendants operated as a drug conspiracy responsible for trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Western North Carolina, centered in and around Catawba County. The conspiracy extended well beyond North Carolina to Georgia, Texas, California, Illinois, Mexico, and elsewhere, and involved the trafficking of multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics.

The 16 defendants named in the indictment are all charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. Some of the defendants face additional offenses related to drug trafficking.

Those named in the indictment include:

• Juan E. Villarreal, 28, of Hickory, N.C.
• Jesus Bedolla, 25, of Sweetwater, Tennessee
• Tommy Warren Boyett, 33, of New London, N.C.
• Joey Antoine Carroll, 32, of Lincolnton, N.C.
• Ricardo Cervantes-Sanchez, 39, of Hickory, N.C.
• Ivan Garcia-Arcos, 34, of Newton, N.C.
• Clayton Ismael Rivera-Trejo, 22, of Hickory, N.C.
• David Charles McIntosh, 37, of Conover, N.C.
• Manuel Bernarno Martinez, Jr., 33, of Alamo, Texas
• Ricky Joe Moses, 39, of Conover, N.C.
• Cindy Santillan, 25, of Taylorsville, N.C.
• Daniel Santillan, 36, of Hickory, N.C.
• Martin Vidal Santillan, 53, of Hickory, N.C.
• Rogelio Vidal Santillan, 51, of Hickory, N.C.
• Juan Manuel Villagomez, 29, of Hickory, N.C.
• Raymundo Villarreal, 21, of Newton, N.C.

McIntosh, Carroll, Juan Villarreal, and Raymundo Villarreal are also charged with separate counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Juan Villarreal and Raymundo Villarreal face additional charges of attempt to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

Each defendant in the indictment is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of up to life in prison and a monetary fine of up to $10 million.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.