Related Federal Cases
- Perkins & Broderick: WA Men Plead Guilty to Child Porn · Kentucky
- Jeffrey Desmond Carter Charged in Child Exploitation, Trafficking Case · Kentucky
- Ex-Deputy Chris Mattingly Guilty of Meth, Marijuana Trafficking · Kentucky
- Big Blue Club Owners Pleaded Guilty to Cockfighting Conspiracy · Kentucky
- Flushing Trio Indicted in Interstate Sex Trafficking Ring · Pennsylvania
Three Men Guilty of Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
A federal jury in Lexington, Kentucky, found three Mexican nationals guilty of their roles in a large cocaine-trafficking conspiracy. Imanol Pineda Penaloza, 37, and Efrain Villa Villanueva, 24, were convicted in May 2018, while Sergio Aguilar Piedra, 25, entered a plea of guilty to the same charges.
The evidence at trial established that the three men participated in the drug trafficking conspiracy from November 2015 until March 2018. In 2015, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit with the Lexington Police Department executed a search warrant at an address on Lonan Court in Lexington, seizing nearly 19 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $400,000 in U.S. currency and two firearms.
In 2016 and 2017, the defendants continued to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and other drugs, in Louisville and elsewhere. The amount of cocaine involved in the conspiracy was approximately 100 kilograms.
Imanol Pineda Penaloza was sentenced to 340 months, while Efrain Villa Villanueva was sentenced to 200 months. Sergio Aguilar Piedra was previously sentenced to 125 months. Each defendant must serve 85% of his federal prison sentence. Upon their release from prison, each defendant will face deportation to Mexico.
“The defendants were responsible for distributing an enormous amount of cocaine, and the significant sentences imposed underscore the seriousness of their illegal conduct,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Darrell Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville; Lawrence Weathers, Chief of Police, Lexington-Fayette County Division of Police; and Richard Sanders, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation and prosecution were successful because of the good work of and cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement, and I commend their efforts,” added Robert M. Duncan, Jr.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News