Villalba and Carello, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Delaware 2021

WILMINGTON, Del. - A New Castle couple pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that was shipped to them from California.

Immanuel Villalba, 22, and his girlfriend Hayley Carello, also 22, of New Castle, Delaware, were arrested after a package containing four pounds of methamphetamine was shipped from California to Delaware and delivered to their home.

According to statements made in open court, a Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) investigation revealed that Villalba was a major methamphetamine trafficker, receiving shipments of up to 40 pounds of methamphetamine per week from California before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic disrupted Villalba's supply for several months, until he was able to get back into the methamphetamine business in June 2020.

Villalba and Carello each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Villalba faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, while Carello faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years.

Both are scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2021, by Chief Judge Leonard P. Stark.

“Illicit drug traffickers are ravaging our communities,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss. “Together with our law enforcement partners, my Office will continue to investigate and vigorously prosecute those who choose to engage in the illegal drug trade.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer K. Welsh and Ruth Mandelbaum are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Group 41, with assistance from the Wilmington Police Department, Delaware State Police, and the Newport Police Department.

A copy of the press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/cross-country-methamphetamine-traffickers-plead-guilty-federal-drug-conspiracy