A Honduran national has been extradited to the US to face charges of drug trafficking in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. Victor Viera-Chirinos, 42, was handed over to US authorities on May 8, 2024, marking the fourth extradition in a case against 14 defendants accused of trafficking large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine.
Viera-Chirinos was originally charged by criminal complaint on July 29, 2019, with participating in a conspiracy to distribute drugs in the Tenderloin. A federal grand jury indicted him on August 8, 2019, alleging he was one of 14 defendants trafficking large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine. The charging documents describe how Viera-Chirinos was involved with the organization, collecting “rent” for street-level dealers and ensuring they were supplied with drugs.
On January 27, 2021, Viera-Chirinos pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B). In his plea agreement, Viera-Chirinos described his role in the drug trafficking organization, admitting that he entered into an agreement with other individuals to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine to street-level dealers.
The district court scheduled Viera-Chirinos’s sentencing hearing for June 2, 2021. However, in a shocking turn of events, the defendant absconded from pretrial release and fled to Honduras. Viera-Chirinos’s extradition marks a significant victory for US authorities, demonstrating their commitment to holding accountable those who engage in drug trafficking activities in the Tenderloin District.
US Attorney Ismail Ramsey said, “Victor Viera-Chirinos thought he could evade consequences for his criminal conduct by fleeing to Honduras prior to his sentencing. Let this case be instructive to people considering whether to distribute drugs in the Tenderloin District; the reach of the government is long and we are determined to assign the resources necessary to eradicate drug dealing from our neighborhoods and punish those who are found guilty of violating the drug trafficking laws.”
Viera-Chirinos is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on May 15, 2024, to face sentencing for the charge set out in the August 2019 indictment. His extradition serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the grasp of the law, and those who engage in drug trafficking activities in the Tenderloin District will be held accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- James Maxwell a/k/a ‘Sonny Spoon’ Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking · Texas
- Fentanyl, Meth Ring Busted: 24 Face Federal Charges · Colorado
- Fake Pills, Dirty Money: Calif. Man Jailed in Drug Pipeline · California
- Rite Aid Hit With $5M Fine in Drug Diversion Scheme · Florida
- San Jacinto Man ‘Fat Boy’ Gets 10 Years for Meth Trafficking · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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