MINNEAPOLIS – A group of five individuals have been sent to prison for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California to Southern Minnesota.
Between the fall of 2021 and the summer of 2022, Michael Anthony Ortiz, 44, of San Jose, California, Esteban Ambriz, Jr., 22, of Austin, Lori Beth Luna, 32, of Austin, Angela Dawn Martin, 26, of Austin, and Kyria Idarmis Bautista Roldan, 34, of Albert Lea, engaged in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, shipping packages from California to distribute throughout the Austin area.
According to court documents, Ortiz, who was based in California, would send packages of high-purity methamphetamine to Ambriz, Luna, Martin, Roldan, and other members involved in the conspiracy.
On September 27, 2023, Martin was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On October 18, 2023, Ortiz was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On November 16, 2023, Roldan was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. On August 22, 2023, Ambriz and Luna were sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and 108 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, respectively.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, South Central Drug Task Force, Cannon River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, and San Jose Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst prosecuted the case.
The five defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, as per the court documents.
Related Federal Cases
- Kaleb Lee Fletcher Kapit, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, California 2023 · Alabama
- Christopher Frerichs, Meth and Gun Convictions, Iowa 2020 · New York
- Humberto Torres-Rodriguez, Methamphetamine Distribution, Minnesota · Kansas
- Yadira Gomez-Gonzalez, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, GA … · North Carolina
- Michael Carey, Methamphetamine Distribution, South Dakota 2023 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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