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Greenbelt, Maryland
A Arizona couple, Jose Valenzuela, 59, and his wife Beatriz Valenzuela, 56, have been sentenced to 137 months and 125 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in a $3 million marijuana and money laundering conspiracy.
According to the investigation, the Valenzuelas used their package shipping businesses to ship marijuana from Arizona to Maryland between June 6, 2011, and July 9, 2012. They received proceeds in return and laundered them through various bank accounts.
Law enforcement executed search warrants at the Valenzuelas’ home and businesses on July 11, 2012, recovering $970,000 in cash and over 750 pounds of marijuana.
The couple’s scheme involved using third-party bank accounts to conceal large cash transactions from the government. They arranged for conspirators to deposit the proceeds into these accounts, each transaction being less than $10,000.
Antonio Hill, Jr., Erico Hill, James Lewis, Jr., Kenneth Davis, Ernest Rawlings, Jr., and Errol Comma have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Jane Nkemateh also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the work of HSI Baltimore, HSI Phoenix, and the Prince George’s County Police Department in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Mara Zusman Greenberg and Christen A. Sproule prosecuted the case.
The Valenzuelas were ordered to forfeit bank accounts worth $1,265,740.65 and $970,000 in cash. The couple’s sentences are a significant blow to the organized crime group, which is estimated to have made over $3 million in profits from the conspiracy.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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