Nora Baca, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2024

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a major blow to organized crime, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a significant drug trafficking network linked to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into an intergang conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated gang members.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at 13 identified premises across New Mexico, believed to contain evidence related to multiple federal offenses. The following individuals are among those targeted in this operation:

• Nora Baca – 417 Monte Alto Place NE, Albuquerque, NM
• Estrella Gonzalez – 1812 Del Norte Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM
• Angelo Garcia – 4903 Rincon Road NW, Albuquerque, NM
• Monalisa Vargas – 1333 Columbia Dr. SE, Apt #95, Albuquerque, NM
• Theresa Atencio – 9748 Summer Shower Place NW, Albuquerque, NM
• Johnny Valiterra (aka “Chopper”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
• Richard Porras (aka “Deuce”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
• Sonia Trinidad – 401 Dunes Court, Apt D, Albuquerque, NM
• Desiree Benavidez – 3 Jose P Sanchez Road, Los Lunas, NM
• Ana Romero – 200 E. Jefferson Avenue, Gallup, NM
• Adolfo Montano – 18 Arroyoito Loop, Seboyeta, NM
• Kimberly Perry and Kelly Perry – 8 Red Mesa Housing, Crownpoint, NM
• Monique Gallegos and David Hicks – 7 Hughes Blvd, Grants, NM

In addition to the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced indictments against several individuals connected to the drug trafficking at Cibola County Correctional Center. Two current inmates, Lupe Vargas, 40, and Edward Vallez, 44, along with two co-conspirators, Monalisa Vargas, 38 (Lupe’s wife), and Michael Garcia, 46, have been charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide or obtain prohibited objects in a correctional facility.

Additionally, a superseding indictment has been filed against Nora Baca, charging her with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Nora Baca, Monalisa Vargas and David Hicks were arrested during the operation. If convicted, Baca faces between 15 years and life in prison and Vargas faces up to 20 years in prison. Michael Garcia remains a fugitive at this time.

As a result of the operation, 15 firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, $6,000 in cash, and 23 cell phones were seized, and six individuals were arrested and charged by federal or state authorities:

• Angelo Garcia was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the current charges, Garcia faces no less than 10 years and up to 45 years in prison.
• Theresa Atencio was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with providing contraband to a prisoner. If convicted of the current charges, Atencio faces up to one year in jail.
• At Benavidez’s residence in Los Lunas, three armed felons were located and arrested:
• Raymond Lucero was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Lucero faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Jacob Gonzales, aka “Trigger,” was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Gonzales faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Nadine Gonzales was arrested on state criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition.
• Emmanleen Chavez was arrested at the residence in Grants on a state warrant for attempted murder.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Joel Rodriguez, Methamphetamine Distribution, Iowa 2018

Oct 22, 2018

Drug Trafficking

Curtis Williamson Jr., Methamphetamine Possession, Louisiana 2025

Jun 30, 2025

Drug Trafficking

Steve Turrubiates, Liquid Methamphetamine Possession, Texas 2016

Mar 17, 2017

Drug Trafficking

Daniel Dewayne Gregg, Meth Trafficking, Missouri 2021

Aug 12, 2021