Man pleads guilty to running ‘extensive’ drug conspiracy from his Georgia prison cell

The investigation began with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration using authorized wiretaps on multiple contraband prison cellphone, the release said. Through this, agents learned that there was an “extensive” network of prison inmates using the cellphones to broker drug deals.

This included the facilitation of drug shipments from Mexico and out of state, according to the release. In addition, members of the criminal organization laundered the drug proceeds, sending several small money wires to Mexico for various purposes, authorities said.

If members in the scheme became uncooperative, they were threatened with violence, the release said. Agents seized 18 weapons during the investigation.

At one point, agents learned of a plot to kidnap and murder a member of the conspiracy, allowing authorities to thwart the plan, the release said. No further information on that incident was released.

During the course of the investigation, agents also seized more than 175 kilograms (385.8 pounds) of methamphetamine, 25 gallons of liquid meth, 12,000 fentanyl pills and several kilogram-quantities of fentanyl powder, heroin and marijuana. Agents also busted two meth conversion labs and seized $343,000 in cash.

Sanchez-Morales, who was referred to as “Patron” or boss, was among 39 people who were indicted in the conspiracy, the release said. The charges included money laundering, drug trafficking and firearm-related offenses.

Here are the other 16 suspects who have been convicted in this scheme along with their respective sentences:

• Enrique Rodriguez Govea, 24, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison;

• Daniel Gonzalez, 28, of Fairburn, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison;

• Edgar Ochoa-Martinez, 35, of Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison;

• Rafael Alvarez, 64, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 13 years in prison;

• Emmanuel DeSantos Nieto, 26, of Union City, was sentenced to 12 years in prison;

• Benjamin Villareal Perez, 42, of Georgia, was sentenced to 19 years and eight months in prison;

• Christian Hernandez-Lovo, 28, of Atlanta, will be sentenced on July 7;

• August Mario Castillo, 52, of Fairburn, was sentenced to 15 years in prison;

• Leonardo Rosas, 27, of Fairburn, was sentenced to six years in prison;

• Shelly Class, 40, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison;

• David Chavez-Ortiz, 49, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to four years in prison;

• Samantha Fagundes, 24, of Union City, will be sentenced on June 29;

• Salvador Valenzia-Zavala, 58, an inmate at Dooly State Prison in Unadilla, will be sentenced at a date that had yet to be scheduled;

• Aszavious Anderson, 43, of Atlanta, will be sentenced Aug. 25;

• Erin Bella Cortez, 32, of Dallas, will be sentenced Aug. 5;

• Allison Daniel, 43, of Covington, will be sentenced Aug. 13.

Each suspect who was sentenced to prison time will also serve five years of supervised release after their time behind bars. All of their mug shots were not immediately available.

In the scheme, 16 co-defendants are awaiting arraignment and trial, while six suspects remain at large, according to the release. The only outstanding suspect who was named in the release was Eusebio Panigua-Paz, 50, of Mexico.

Several agencies helped the DEA investigate these incidents, and they include the U.S. Marshals Service, Georgia State Patrol, Atlanta Police Department, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, South Fulton Police Department, Georgia Department of Correction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.

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