COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury in Columbus has indicted Cristian Melendez and Ismerio Garcia-Ontivaro for their alleged role in a drug smuggling operation that spanned from Arizona to Ohio.
Melendez, 42, and Garcia-Ontivaro, 39, were nabbed on Interstate 70 back in June when they were pulled over for a window tint violation. The feds allege the duo was transporting more than three kilograms of cocaine hidden in a Honda Accord’s console to rear seat compartment.
According to law enforcement, Melendez and Garcia-Ontivaro had received the car from a hauler that traveled from Arizona to Columbus. Both men were illegal immigrants in the United States, having been previously removed and convicted of aggravated felony offenses. Melendez has a rap sheet that includes trafficking heroin and illegally possessing firearms, while Garcia-Ontivaro was involved in cocaine trafficking in North Carolina.
The pair faces serious charges, including conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as illegal reentry into the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony. The indictment was returned yesterday.
U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris, along with Jared Murphey from ICE HSI Detroit and Kevin Raycraft from ICE ERO Detroit Field Office, announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Geraghty is handling the prosecution for the United States.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Southern District of Ohio Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from violent crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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