Department of Justice

Twenty people were apprehended in a large-scale drug enforcement operation Wednesday, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

The defendants were charged in 14 separate indictments with a total of 37 counts, including distribution of fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. Seven people charged in the scheme remain fugitives.

Those apprehended include:

• Erik Hans Grosstueck: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Brian Jacob Miller: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Alexander Erik Pierce: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl
• Matthew Ryan Chandler: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Loddy Max Montoya: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Trey Matthew Parrish: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl
• Kevontae Jalil Hawthorne: felon in possession of a firearm (one rifle)
• Daniel Anthony Moreno: felon in possession of a firearm (one semi-automatic handgun)
• Glen Donnell Nall, Jr.: possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (one pistol)
• Ethan Tyler Nieto: felon in possession of a firearm (one pistol)
• Martin Rosalez III, aka Wedo: felon in possession of a firearm (one semi-automatic handgun)
• Roberto Salinas, Jr.: felon in possession of a firearm (one semi-automatic handgun)
• Tevin Terelle Carrington: felon in possession of a firearm (one pistol)
• Steven Paul Echols: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• Rachel Michelle Melendez: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (one pistol)
• Nicolas Blake Pereida: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (one 9mm pistol), distribution of fentanyl
• Brent Reed Angelle: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (two pistols and one shotgun), possession with intent to distribute fentanyl 
• Alexus Michelle Grubelnik: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl
• Beatrice Eunice Gutierrez: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
• Ronny Paul Spuriel: distribution of methamphetamine

Seven people charged in the scheme remain fugitives.

A number of the defendants charged in the scheme are tied to Lubbock’s Project Safe Neighborhood zone, a high-crime hotspot where federal, state and local law enforcement leaders collaborate to reduce violence and increase community safety. Many have extensive criminal histories, including child sexual assault, aggravated assault, burglary, fraud, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances and unlawful carrying of firearms. 

An indictment is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted, some face up to life in federal prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Dallas Field Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division – Lubbock Resident Agency, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Caprock HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sherriff’s Office, and the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force conducted the investigation and arrest operation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long is prosecuting the drug conspiracy; AUSAs Jeff Haag, Ann Howey, Callie Woolam and Matt McLeod are prosecuting the gun cases with the assistance of AUSAs Ryan Redd and Stephan Rancourt, the Lubbock Branch Office’s Project Safe Neighborhood Coordinators.

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