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Convictions through guilty pleas and sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) prosecutions (Aug. 3 through Aug. 7, 2026)

 

Date: Aug. 12, 2026

Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov

San Juan, PR – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of Aug. 3 through Aug. 7, 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. 

Convictions through Guilty Pleas

  • On Aug. 3, 2026, Adrián Maldonado-Hernández pleaded guilty to Count 5 in Criminal Case 25-397 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with attempting to conduct the delivery of $485,000 in US Currency. Defendant was arrested on Oct. 9, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 2, 2026. SAUSA Cody McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 3, 2026, Felicia López pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 24-314 (CVR). According to the information, the defendant was charged with knowingly and illegally attempting to enter the United States, in violation of 8 USC § 1325(a)(1). Defendant was arrested on Aug. 12, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Sept. 14, 2026. SAUSA Cody McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 3, 2026, Eulise Muñoz entered a straight plea for Counts 1 and 2 in Criminal Case 26-230 (CVR). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with having boarded, entered and secreted himself aboard a vessel, while transiting near the Dominican Republic, outside the jurisdiction of the United States, with the intent of obtaining transportation and without the consent of the owner, charterer, master and person in command of said vessel and with Improper Entry by an Alien in violation of 8 U.S.C. 1325(a)(1). Defendant was arrested on May 26, 2026. The defendant was sentenced on the same date, Aug. 3, 2026, to time served to Counts 1 and 2, to be served concurrently with each other. SAUSA Cody McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Luis Escalera-Santiago pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 25-342 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on July 29, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 3, 2026. AUSA Camille García-Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Luis R. Pérez-Vizcarrondo, a.k.a. “Tío/Raúl” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan municipalities, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on Dec. 13, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 5, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Wesley De Jesús-Serrano pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 25-365 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with a 5-year conspiracy to traffic narcotics. Defendant was arrested on Sept. 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 3, 2026. AUSA Andrés Orr is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Edicson M. Hernández-Marín entered a straight plea to all drug related charges in Criminal Case 25-326 (RAM). According to the indictment on October 13, 2024, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine; importation of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine- all in excess of 5 kilos of cocaine; failure to heave; and improper entry by an alien. Defendant was arrested on July 12, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 3, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Jomar Javier Cruz-Santiago pleaded guilty to Counts Five and Six in Criminal Case 25-415 (ADC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on Oct. 6, 2025. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Carlos Cruz-Villanueva pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 26-079 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with the destruction or removal of property to prevent a search or seizure in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2232(a). Defendant was arrested on Feb. 26, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 3, 2026. SAUSA Cody McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Karla Donnachella-Estevez pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 26-079 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with the destruction or removal of property to prevent a search or seizure in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2232(a). Defendant was arrested on Feb. 27, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for Nov. 3, 2026. SAUSA Cody McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 6, 2026, Bryan Joel Díaz-Hernández pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.

Sentencings

  • On Aug. 3, 2026, Christian Maldonado-López, a.k.a. “Ninja,” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró to 10 years of imprisonment for participating in a drug trafficking organization that operated in and around the Manatí area, and principally out of the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Sept. 20, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-353 (GMM), and pleaded guilty on April 28, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Carmen Midalma Paulino-González was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 72 hours of imprisonment and three years on supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams but less than 500 grams of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Jan. 15, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-012 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on April 22, 2026. AUSAs María Semanaz Ojeda and Camille García Jiménez were in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Kevin E. Soto-Peña, a.k.a. “Mostri” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 11 years in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 7, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Gerald O. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Patrón” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 11 years in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 5, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 4, 2026, Giancarlo Alamo-Colón was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández to 145 months of imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release for conspiring and attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, making a false statement to an agency of the United States, and aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Oct. 30, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-412 (PAD), and pleaded guilty on March 24, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Valerie Mary Feijoo-Otero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida M. Delgado Colón to time served and three years of supervised release for conspiring to possess and possession with intent to distribute ten kilograms of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on May 1, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-218 (ADC), and pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2025. AUSA Camille García Jiménez was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Edwin Gabriel Vázquez-Colón, a.k.a. “Cuco,” was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach to 105 months and 20 days of imprisonment for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, PR. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on May 8, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-170 (RAM), and pled guilty to the charges on April 22, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Ramsell Maldonado-Tatis, a.k.a. “R” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 150 months in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 12, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, Carlos A. Delgado-Torres, a.k.a. “Peter/Papi/Papá Candela” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 60 months in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 12, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 5, 2026, United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón sentenced Henry Junior Guerrero-Medina to 30 months imprisonment with a supervised release term of five years on Count One of indictment charging conspiracy to import cocaine in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and a concurrent term of six months imprisonment on Count Eight: improper entry by alien. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-226 (ADC), and pleaded guilty to the charge(s) on Dec. 8, 2025. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 6, 2026, William E. Boria-Rosa, a.k.a. “Boria” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 78 months in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in criminal case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 12, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 6, 2026, Orlando Resto-García, a.k.a. “Luli/Potala” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 138 months in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on Dec. 5, 2024, in criminal case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 12, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 6, 2026, United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón sentenced Ramón Arismendi Hernández-Coplin to 120 months imprisonment on count three of indictment charging conspiracy to import cocaine in the amount of approximately 150 kilograms of cocaine and a supervised release term of five years. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on Nov. 6, 2024, in criminal case 24-416 (ADC), and pled guilty to the charge on April 22, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
  • On Aug. 6, 2026, Maycol A. Franco was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll to 96 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 11, 2026, in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC) and pleaded guilty on May 8, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr 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 16 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.