Federal prosecutors announced a grand jury returned a 13-count superseding indictment in a case involving a weapons scheme linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and drug trafficking.
The indictment adds Johnnie Wayne Corbett, who was arrested Oct. 17, to the case against Loyd Walter Hall, Jesus Quezada Meza, Omar Velasquez, and Catlynn Ann Townsend. They were indicted June 25.
Charges against the five include conspiracy to provide firearms to the Sinaloa Cartel, trafficking controlled substances, and engaging in illegal straw purchasing and firearms trafficking schemes.
“The defendants supplied powerful rifles and ammunition to the Sinaloa Cartel—one of the most violent criminal organizations in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Northern District of Texas. “By pursuing material support of terrorism charges, we are making clear that arming cartels is a direct threat to U.S. national security.”
Hall is accused of conspiring to provide firearms to the Sinaloa Cartel, which was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. secretary of state. The cartel smuggles illegal drugs into the U.S. and engages in human trafficking.
The Sinaloa Cartel has been fighting a series of battles to control drug trafficking corridors between Mexico and the U.S.
“Under Attorney General Blanche’s leadership, the Trump Administration has deployed an all of government strategy to destroy these terrorist networks,” added Raybould. “Our office will use every federal tool available to dismantle the cartels and aggressively prosecute anyone who enables their violence.”
According to Raybould’s office, Hall allegedly coordinated to supply firearms, ammunition, and related equipment to the Sinaloa Cartel, knowing of its violent activity and attacks against law enforcement.
Additionally, Hall and co-defendants were allegedly involved in a drug trafficking distribution network for illegal importation of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin into the U.S.
Hall is also accused of possessing and transporting firearms, including semi-automatic assault weapons, to be used in drug trafficking activities.
The defendants allegedly participated in a supply chain moving U.S. firearms to criminal organizations, including cartel-linked groups in Mexico.
Meza and Velasquez face charges involving alleged straw purchasing and firearms trafficking conspiracies. Straw purchases involve someone acquiring a firearm on another person’s behalf while falsely identifying themselves as the actual buyer. Townsend faces a charge of making a false statement during a firearm purchase.
“Those who arm violent cartels are helping fuel a cycle of bloodshed, drug trafficking, and destruction that threatens communities on both sides of the border. ATF Dallas will not allow firearms traffickers to exploit our laws to strengthen the arsenal of criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner.
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, we are relentlessly targeting these networks, cutting off their access to weapons, and pursuing those responsible until they are held accountable.”
Defendants Hall, Quezada Meza, Corbett, and Velasquez remain in federal custody. Townsend has been issued a summons.
If convicted, Hall faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Meza and Velasquez each face up to 15 years in prison. Townsend and Corbett each face up to five years in prison.
