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Date: May 13, 2026
Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov
San Juan, PR – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following investigative and prosecutorial results for the week of May 4 through May 10, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Indictments
On May 6, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging (1) Charlie G. Marval-Henríquez (Venezuelan); (2) Jhoan Alexander Rodríguez-Núñez (Venezuelan); and (3) José Abraham Rodríguez-Núñez (Venezuelan) with conspiracy and attempt to import cocaine. Marval-Henríquez is also facing one count for re-entry of a removed alien. Jhoan Alexander and Josué Abraham Rodríguez-Núñez are both facing one count of improper entry by alien. According to court documents, in April 2026, the defendants knowingly and intentionally imported into the United States, from Colombia and other places, five kilograms or more of cocaine. Specifically, on April 29, 2026, HSTF seized approximately 643.3 kilograms of cocaine that the defendants were smuggling in a vessel. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Camille García-Rivera is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a 27 count superseding indictment charging (1) Douglas Antonio Fernández-Rodríguez (Venezuelan); (2) Eurices Gómez-Quijada (Venezuelan); (3) Oswaldo Bermúdez-Sánchez (Venezuelan); (4) Jesús Antonio Bougrat-Ramos (Venezuelan); (5) Jesús Mata-Gómez (Venezuelan); (6) Luis Quijada-Martínez (Venezuelan); (7) Alan Ibarra-Ibarra, a.k.a. “Alans/El Colombiano” (Venezuelan); (8) Primitivo Meregildo-Vargas, a.k.a. “El Viejo/El Jefe” (Dominican); and (9) Ramón Antonio Mejía-Meregildo, a.k.a. “El Barbero,” (Dominican) with conspiracy and importation of cocaine from Venezuela and other places, into Puerto Rico. All defendants are charged with knowingly entering or attempting to enter the United States illegally. Specifically, on or about March 11, 2026, HSTF seized approximately 709.1 kilograms of cocaine from a vessel that crashed on the shores of Vieques following a pursuit by law enforcement. United States Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Convictions through guilty pleas
On May 5, 2026, Frank Quiñones-Boria pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in CR Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute and distribute heroin, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, and marijuana at the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and other areas nearby. All in violation of Title 21, U.S.C.§§ 841(a)(1), 846, and 860. Defendant was arrested on July 27, 2022. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 8, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 5, 2026, Raul Quiñones-Boria pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in CR Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute and distributing heroin, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, and marijuana at the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project in Fajardo, PR, and other areas nearby. All in violation of Title 21, U.S.C.§§ 841(a)(1), 846, and 860. Defendant was arrested on July 27, 2022. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 8, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Calin Hernández-Valdez pleaded guilty to Count One in CR Case 25-484 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated felony conviction. Defendant was arrested on Nov. 14, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 5, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Usbardo Trinidad-Hungría pleaded guilty to Count One in CR Case 26-027 (GMM). According to the superseding indictment, the defendant was charged with an illegal reentry offense. On Jan. 5, 2026, Trinidad-Hungría was remanded to the custody of the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections after Defendant finished serving a sentence at the Bayamón Regional Jail for violations of the Puerto Rico Firearms Law. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 7, 2026. AUSA Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Julio Torres-Roche pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 300 to 400 grams of cocaine and the possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking in CR Case 25-392 (SCC). He also pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine in case 25-345 (GMM). According to the indictment in CR Case 25-392 (SCC), the defendant was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in public housing projects and other areas in and around Cayey, Puerto Rico, and using firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking. In CR Case 25-345 (GMM), he was charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Defendant was arrested on Dec. 3, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 20, 2026. AUSAs Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Zael Lao-Ortiz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 200 to 300 grams of cocaine and the possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking in CR Case 25-392 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in public housing projects and other areas in and around Cayey, Puerto Rico, and using firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking. Lao-Ortiz was arrested on Oct. 6, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 20, 2026. AUSAs Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Jonathan Ortiz-Martínez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 200 to 300 grams of cocaine in CR Case 25-392 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in public housing projects and other areas in and around Cayey, Puerto Rico. Defendant was arrested on Oct. 7, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 20, 2026. AUSAs Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Michael Jovan Rodríguez-Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in CR Case 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (crack), marihuana, and fentanyl, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes in several public housing projects in San Juan. The court set defendant’s sentencing for Aug. 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Maycol A. Franco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes in CR Case 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, marihuana, and fentanyl, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes in several public housing projects in San Juan. The defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing for Aug. 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Jorge L. Carmona Gil pleaded guilty to all charges in the Indictment namely, Count One: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and Distribute in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine aboard a vessel of the United States; Count Two: Possession with the intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine aboard a vessel of the United States and Aiding and Abetting; Count Three: Conspiracy to import cocaine in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine; and Count Four: Attempted Importation in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting in case 24-132 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with these above drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on March 22, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Aug. 6, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings
On May 4, 2026, Rodolfo Brunet-González was sentenced by Judge Camille L. Vélez-Rivé to a three-year term of probation for conspiring with another person to transport into and receive in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico a firearm from out of State via the United States Postal Service (USPS) mail without being a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer or collector of firearms. Defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Sept. 18, 2025, in CR Case 25-389 (CVR), and pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2026. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 5, 2026, Sem Monge-Parrilla was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 60 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for participating in drug trafficking in and near the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in CR Case 24-170 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on Feb. 4, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 5, 2026, Ernesto Caraballo was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 96 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for participating in drug trafficking while armed in and near the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in CR Case 24-170 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on Feb. 4, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 6, 2026, [2] Marcos Antonio Ventura-Martínez was sentenced by Judge Silvia L. Carreño-Coll to a 30 month term of imprisonment (with no term of supervised release) for drug trafficking crimes, including Count One: Conspiracy to import cocaine in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine; Count Two: Importation in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting; Count Three: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and Distribute in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine aboard a vessel of the United States; and Count Four: Possession with the intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine aboard a vessel of the United States and Aiding and Abetting. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Oct. 2, 2024, in Criminal case #24-376 (SCC), and pled guilty to all four charges on Feb. 4, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 6, 2026, defendant Rafael Emilio Pérez-Pichardo, a Dominican Republic national, was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to two years’ probation for illegal reentry of removed alien after having been previously removed from the United States following a felony conviction, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) & (b)(1). In 1990, the defendant was convicted in New York of manslaughter and sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 5 to 15 years of imprisonment. In 2003, he was removed from the United States. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on June 4, 2025, in CR Case 25-262 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on Feb. 5, 2026. AUSA Elba Gorbea was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Omar Antonio Contreras-Mendoza was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 70 months of imprisonment for conspiring to distribute 339 kilograms of cocaine knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance would be imported into the United States. Because the defendant was detained in Colombia pending extradition, the Court credited 20 months and 8 days, resulting in a sentence of 49 months and 22 days of imprisonment. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Oct. 5, 2022, in CR Case 22-435 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025. AUSA Camille García Jiménez was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Eduardo Berríos-Sepúlveda was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 96 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for participating in drug trafficking while armed in and near the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in CR Case 24-170 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on Jan. 8, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Luis A. Quijano-Cruz was sentenced by Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of imprisonment of 18 months and supervised release term of 5 years for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Feb. 22, 2024, in CR Case 24-069 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charge on April 24, 2025. AUSA María Cristina Semanaz is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 7, 2026, Erick Leandro Calderón-Soler was sentenced by Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 87 months of imprisonment for drug-trafficking charges regarding movement of cocaine from Colombia to the United States. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 4, 2023, in CR Case 23–178 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on Feb. 11, 2026. AUSA Antonio Perez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Fedor Vovk and Aleksei Kondratev were sentenced by Judge Camille Vélez-Rivé to a term of imprisonment of time served (equal to seven months) for conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens at a place other than a designated port of entry. According to court documents, the defendants were charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Nov. 6, 2025, in CR Case 25-471 (CVR), and pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, Michael García-Torres was sentenced by Judge Silvia Carreño Coll to 108 months (9 years) of imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes in several public housing projects in San Juan. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on June 11, 2025, in CR Case 25-272, and pleaded guilty on Feb. 18, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, [1] Jonathan Ramaza Sanabria was sentenced by Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández to a 120 month (10 years) term of imprisonment and a supervised release term of five years for drug trafficking crimes, including Count One: Conspiracy to import cocaine in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine; Count Two: Importation in excess of 5 kilos of Cocaine and Aiding and Abetting; Count Three: Possession with intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilos of cocaine; and Count Four: Possession with the intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilos of cocaine and Aiding and Abetting. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on July 7, 2022, in CR Case 22-304 (PAD), and pleaded guilty to all four charges on Feb. 7, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
On May 8, 2026, defendant Juan Enrique Feliciano-Torres was sentenced by Judge Gina R. Méndez-Miró to 66 months of imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances containing a detectable amount of Fentanyl and possession of a Glock Pistol G27, .40 caliber, loaded with ammunition, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, the defendant signed a Waiver of Indictment and pleaded guilty to Counts One and Two of an Information filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Puerto Rico on Feb. 6, 2026, in CR Case 26-050 (GMM). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Edwin Cabán Jr. from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 18 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.