15 of 21 indicted in Utah bust of drug trafficking ring have pleaded guilty

SALT LAKE CITY — Multiple people tied to an alleged drug trafficking ring are serving a collective 40-plus years in prison, forfeiting $48,418 and facing a total of 12 years of supervised release — and that's just 11 out of the 21 defendants sentenced so far.

Additionally, of those 11, at least seven are facing deportation by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon completion of their prison sentences.

A federal grand jury indicted 21 defendants in April 2021 on numerous charges following a massive drug bust and accusing the group of running or participating in a drug trafficking ring.

According to the FBI, drugs were being shipped from Mexico through California into Utah where they were distributed throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

Several local, state and federal agencies worked together during the 10-month operation and in the process seized 27 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $720,000; 4 pounds of fentanyl with an estimated street value of $54,000; 2 pounds of heroin with an estimated street value of $60,000; and 22 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $800,000. Two firearms and more than $415,000 cash were also seized.

The group collectively faced a total of 165 charges.

In the nearly 18 months since the indictment was handed down, the defendants' cases have worked their way through the federal court system, with varying outcomes. Here's a look at where each case is now:

Cases resolved via plea deals

Victor "Chiste" Guzman

Guzman, of Ogden, was sentenced Dec. 14 to 48 months in federal prison, district court documents show. Upon his release, he'll be remanded to ICE.

Guzman faced five charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In April, he took a deal in which pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, admitting that he personally distributed at least 453 grams of the drug, court documents state.

Hector "Vieho" Holguin Barrios

Barrios, of Midvale, was sentenced Nov. 9 to 60 months in federal prison, following which he'll serve three years of supervised release.

He faced five charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Jesus Antonio "Tonio" Hernandez Guerrero

Guerrero, of North Ogden, was sentenced on Oct. 19 to 84 months in federal prison and will be remanded to ICE after his release.

He faced 13 charges, including conspiracy to distribute heroin and distribution of methamphetamine, but prosecutors dropped 12 of them when he pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Isaac "Chupa" Celaya Almanza

Ogden resident Almanza, who also uses the moniker "Flaco," was sentenced on Oct. 12 to 63 months in federal prison. After his release, he'll be remanded to ICE if the organization "has determined to proceed in that manner," court documents state.

He faced eight charges, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Almanza took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, admitting that he packaged and distributed the drug. Specifically, Almanza told prosecutors that in March 2021, he prepared a "tamale" containing about 128 grams of cocaine, court documents state. He then sold the "tamale" to other co-defendants for distribution.

He also admitted that, at the time of his May 2021 arrest, he possessed more than 3.45 kilograms of cocaine, a Model 45 Glock 9mm handgun and ammunition "to further and facilitate the cocaine conspiracy," court documents state.

Erick Garcia Rivera

Garcia, of West Valley City, was sentenced Aug. 31 to 33 months in federal prison, after which he'll be remanded to ICE.

Garcia faced seven charges. As part of a deal, Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Jose "Chepe" Luis Hernandez

Hernandez, of Ogden, was sentenced on Aug. 16 to 57 months in federal prison. He'll be remanded to ICE following his release.

He faced eight charges, including conspiracy to distribute heroin and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In April, Hernandez took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Edwin "Gordito" Alberto Espino Alfaro

Alfaro, of Ogden, was sentenced on Aug. 10 to three years of supervised release after he was granted credit for jail time already served.

He faced three counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, but pleaded guilty to one count. Specifically, Alfaro admitted to purchasing a "tamale" containing about 127 grams of cocaine in March 2021 for personal use and for distribution, court documents state.

Hugo Morales Chavero

Chavero, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced on Aug. 9 to 48 months in federal prison, after which he'll be remanded to ICE.

He faced 12 charges, including distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of fentanyl. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine as part of a plea deal.

Mario Moreno

Moreno, of Ogden, was sentenced on Aug. 3 to 27 months in federal prison, following which he'll serve 36 months of supervised release, according to court documents.

He faced two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, but pleaded guilty to one count. Specifically, he admitted to personally distributing at least 453 grams of the drug.

Josiel Rogelio Morales Lopez

Lopez, of Lehi, was sentenced on Aug. 3 to 48 months in federal prison. Upon his release, he'll be remanded to ICE. He was also ordered to forfeit $37,468.

Lopez faced 14 charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute heroin. In March, he took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, court records show.

Carlos "Kike" Enrique Canos Gutierrez

Gutierrez, of West Valley City, was sentenced on July 12 to 14 months in federal prison. After his release, he'll be remanded to ICE.

He faced five charges, including distribution of methamphetamine and distribution of cocaine. In March, Gutierrez took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Specifically, he admitted to personally distributing at least 2 ounces and to having $10,950 in proceeds at the time of his arrest, court records state, which he was ordered to forfeit.

Upcoming sentences

As of Dec. 15, four more defendants who took plea deals are waiting for sentencing.

Marissa Perez

Perez, of Torrance, California, will be sentenced on Dec. 19.

She faced two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. But in July, she pleaded guilty to one charge in exchange for the dismissal of the other. Specifically, she admitted to possessing $65,374 in proceeds at the time of her arrest, which she was planning on taking to a co-conspirator in California, according to court documents.

Court records indicate that Perez's sentence is expected to be 36 months of probation and a $25,000 fine.

Hector "Winnie" Ramses Blasco Cota

Cota, of Salt Lake City, will be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2023.

After originally facing 22 charges, including distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute heroin, he took a deal in which he pleaded guilty in August to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Court records indicate that Cota's sentence is expected to be 60 months in prison.

Melvin "The Trucker" Bladimir Andrade

Andrade, of Roy, will be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2023.

He originally faced 17 charges, including distribution of cocaine and money laundering. But he took a deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Specifically, he admitted to personally distributing over 921 grams of the drug and depositing some of the proceeds into an account for MBA Trucking.

Court records indicate that Andrade's sentence is expected to be between 70 and 87 months in prison.

Rubi Rosario Armenta Sanchez

Sanchez, of Westminster, California, will be sentenced on June 13, 2023.

She faced three counts of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, but prosecutors dismissed two of the charges when she pleaded guilty to one in July.

Court records show that Sanchez's sentence is expected to be probation, though a length of time is not specified.

Upcoming trials

Of the 21 defendants, two are so far taking their cases to trial.

Troy "Vecino" Rivera

Rivera, of Farr West, who also uses the moniker "Gonzo," is scheduled for trial beginning Jan. 9, 2023. He pleaded not guilty in May 2021 to five charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Victor Noe Martinez Portillo

Portillo, of West Jordan, is scheduled for trial beginning Jan. 9, 2023. He pleaded not guilty in May 2021 to 10 charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of fentanyl.

Cases still pending

Records associated with each of the four remaining cases state that, as of May 24, "all parties represent that they plan on resolving their cases by plea." The most recent court date is a trial set on Sep. 27 that doesn't appear to have taken place.

Mexico resident Francisco Javier Quezada Aguirre, who also uses the monikers "el Negro" and "Poncho," faces seven charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Juan Carlos Rosas Rosas, of Ogden, faces six charges, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Pedro Ignacio Mendoza Ibarra, of Mexico, also faces six charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of fentanyl.

And Salt Lake resident Andrea Islas faces five charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and use of a communications facility in a drug trafficking crime.

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