US Attorney's Office, FBI and USMS Target Drug Trafficking Operation Linked to Federal Penitentiary

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – This week, the FBI Violent Gangs Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a major drug trafficking network tied to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan.

The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into an inter-gang conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated gang members.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at 13 identified premises throughout New Mexico believed to contain evidence related to multiple federal crimes.

The following people are among the targets of this operation:

• Nora Baca – 417 Monte Alto Place NE, Albuquerque
• Estrella Gonzalez – 1812 Del Norte Drive SW, Albuquerque
• Angelo Garcia – 4903 Rincon Road NW, Albuquerque
• Monalisa Vargas – 1333 Columbia Drive SE, Apt #95, Albuquerque
• Theresa Atencio – 9748 Summer Shower Place NW, Albuquerque
• Johnny Valiterra (aka “Chopper”) – 2331 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
• Richard Porras (aka “Deuce”) – 2331 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque
• Sonia Trinidad – 401 Dunes Court, Apt. D, Albuquerque
• Desiree Benavidez – 3 Jose P Sanchez Road, Los Lunas
• Ana Romero – 200 E. Jefferson Ave., Gallup
• Adolfo Montano – 18 Arroyoito Loop, Seboyeta
• Kimberly Perry and Kelly Perry – 8 Red Mesa Housing, Crownpoint
• Monique Gallegos and David Hicks – 7 Hughes Blvd., Grants

In addition to the operation, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico announced charges against several individuals connected to drug trafficking at the Cibola County Correctional Center. Two inmates, Lupe Vargas, 40, and Edward Vallez, 44, and two co-conspirators, Monalisa Vargas, 38 (Lupe's wife) and Michael Garcia, 46, were charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide or obtain prohibited items into a correctional facility.

Additionally, a supplemental indictment was filed against Nora Baca charging her with possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Nora Baca, Monalisa Vargas and David Hicks were arrested during the operation. If convicted, Baca could face between 15 and life in prison and Vargas could face up to 20 years in prison. Michael Garcia currently remains a fugitive.

As a result of the operation, 15 firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, $6,000 in cash and 23 cell phones were seized, and six individuals were arrested and charged by federal or state authorities:

• Angelo Garcia was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted, Garcia faces at least 10 and up to 45 years in prison.
• Theresa Atencio was arrested and criminally charged with delivering contraband to a prisoner. If convicted, Atencio could face up to a year in prison.

Three armed criminals were located and arrested at Benavidez's residence in Los Lunas:

• Raymond Lucero was arrested on a federal criminal complaint and charged with possession of firearms and ammunition as a felon. If convicted of the current charge, Lucero could face up to 15 years in prison.
• Jacob Gonzales, also known as “Trigger,” was arrested on a federal criminal complaint and charged with possession of firearms and ammunition as a felon. If convicted, Gonzales faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Nadine Gonzales was arrested on a state criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Jacob Gonzales was recently released from prison after serving a 22-year sentence for serious murder-related convictions.

Additionally, Emmanleen Chavez was arrested at the Grants residence on a state warrant for attempted murder.

The operation and ongoing investigations are aimed at dismantling the criminal enterprises inside and outside the correctional facility that are involved in the distribution of controlled substances and other illegal activities.

“The Department of Justice protects the safety and dignity of all, including those in federal custody,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez. “Those who seek to profit from the addictions and vulnerabilities of prisoners are not only breaking the law, but also perpetuating a cycle of harm that extends beyond prison walls.” That's why we take a comprehensive approach: We use technology to To prevent contraband before it enters the facility, we enforce federal criminal laws against inmates and those who support them from the outside, and we rely on the cooperation of people motivated to do the right thing by treating opioid use disorder through medical care for federal inmates during their imprisonment. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of addiction for profit in our correctional facilities.”

“This week’s operation demonstrates the FBI’s determination to continue to dismantle the criminal enterprises operating in New Mexico,” said Philip Russell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “The FBI, along with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, is committed to bringing drug traffickers to justice for the crimes committed and the harm inflicted on our communities.”

“The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to providing a safe environment for the prisoners we serve,” said David O. Barnett, Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “The execution of this joint operation is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our federal, state and local partners to fighting crime and improving the lives of our communities in New Mexico.”

The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Alexander MM Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico.

The FBI's Albuquerque Division Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) and the United States Marshals Service jointly investigated this case with assistance from the CoreCivic Intelligence Unit and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and David Hirsch are prosecuting these cases.

The VGTF is an FBI-led task force composed of agents and officers from the New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Albuquerque Police Department.

View the Search Warrant.pdf file

View the indictment (Vargas et al.).pdf

View the criminal complaint (Lucero and Gonzales) in PDF format

View the criminal complaint (Atencio).pdf

View the criminal complaint (Garcia) in PDF format

View the Superseding Indictment (Baca)_0.pdf

An indictment or criminal complaint is simply an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.