Published: July 28, 2007 10:44 pm         

Meth traffickers sentenced in Terre Haute Federal Court

TERRE HAUTE — Two people involved in a Mexican methamphetamine trafficking organization that extended through Terre Haute have been sentenced in federal court.

In addition, another has been sentenced for money laundering.

Arturo Garza, 36, of McAllen, Texas was sentenced Friday to 14 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney after his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

McKinney also imposed five years supervised release following Garza’s release from prison. Garza will be deported to Mexico following the completion of his sentence. During the period of supervised release, Garza must refrain from re-entering the United States.

Garza was a supplier for a methamphetamine trafficking organization operated by Jose Perez, an Indianapolis resident. Perez’s organization supplied methamphetamine along the I-70 corridor running from Indianapolis to Terre Haute.

Perez’s methamphetamine trafficking cell distributed about 80 to 100 pounds of methamphetamine per month from May 2005 through June 8, 2006. Perez faces sentencing in federal court on Aug. 9.

Also sentenced as part of Perez’s organization was Joel Tellez, 26, of Indianapolis and Michoacan, Mexico. McKinney sentenced Tellez to 15 years and eight months in federal prison after Tellez’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

McKinney imposed five years’ supervised release following Tellez’s release from imprisonment. Tellez will be deported to Mexico after the completion of his sentence. During the supervised release, he also must refrain from re-entering the United States.

The methamphetamine cases were a result of a nine-month investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Metro Drug Task Force, Beech Grove Police Department, Indianapolis Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Department, Vigo County Drug Task Force and Clay County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, Raul Camacho, 23, of Indianapolis, was sentenced Friday to nine years in federal prison after his guilty plea to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

Camacho helped launder money for Perez. Camacho sent drug proceeds from the United States to Mexico using the Western Union wire service. Perez used the drug proceeds to purchase real estate in Mexico, including an avocado farm and a personal residence.

Judge McKinney also imposed three years of supervised release after Camacho’s release from prison. During the supervised release, Camacho is subject to random searches of his person, residence and vehicle.