United States Drug Enforcement Administration

AUSTIN, Texas - This week, federal and state authorities in the Austin area arrested 20 individuals, including ringleader Horace Caruther of Round Rock, Texas, for their alleged roles in a narcotics distribution ring operating in the Taylor, Texas, area announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.

Those arrested include:

On November 21, 2017, a federal grand jury in Austin indicted the defendants charging them with one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.  The grand jury also charged defendants Orozco, Montiel, Alvarez, Ibarra, Sanchez, Parra-Velez, Jesus Parra-Martinez, Deleza, and Gonzalez with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Authorities allege that from July 2016 to October 2017, this organization was responsible for the distribution of large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and diverted pharmaceutical narcotics. The narcotics would be transported to areas across the United States, including North Carolina, for further distribution.  Defendants would also collect, transport and launder cash proceeds derived from the sale of narcotics.

To date the investigation has resulted in the arrests of 26 defendants; and, the seizure of $161,020, six kilograms of cocaine, two ounces of “crack” cocaine, 42 pounds of marijuana, and three guns.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings expected to occur in U.S. Magistrate Court in Austin beginning next week.  On the drug conspiracy charge, defendants face a mandatory 10 years to life imprisonment upon conviction.  The defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction on the money laundering conspiracy charge.

The DEA Austin High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Task Force investigated this case.
Participating agencies in the Task Force include the: Austin Police Department; Cedar Park Police Department; Georgetown Police Department; Lakeway Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Williamson County Sheriff Office; Travis County Sheriff’s Office; Hays County Sheriff’s Office; Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of (FBI); Homeland Security (HSI); and the U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE).

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.