A multi-agency law enforcement effort resulted in the indictment of 21 individuals related to the sale of narcotics and other illegal drugs in northeast Indiana.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is made up of federal agents, and officers from the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police. On Wednesday, the group, along with the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana announced the unsealing of eight indictments.
"Narcotic distribution is one of the precursors to violent crime," said U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch. "Today with the arrest of these individuals we made a serious impact on the distribution of narcotics in the greater Fort Wayne Area. Local police agencies like Fort Wayne PD, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police worked tirelessly in coordination with the FBI to build these cases in Fort Wayne to help reduce violence associated with drug distribution.”
Heads of local law enforcement agencies expressed similar sentiments in a press release.
“The Allen County Sheriff’s Department, a proud member of the Safe Streets Task Force, has and will continue to work in conjunction with the FBI, and the U.S Attorney’s Office to battle the drug epidemic within Allen County. We are encouraged by the efforts that have been set forth, and look forward to positive improvements in our area,” said Allen County Sheriff David J. Gladieux.
The 21 people charged in those indictments range in age from 21 to 43 and face a multitude of federal charges including firearms possession, drug distribution and providing a residence for storing and distributing narcotics.
The illicit drugs outlined in the indictments include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, according to a press release.
A dozen search warrants were executed Wednesday morning in and around Fort Wayne.
Individuals named in the indictments are:
- Jennifer Mendoza, age 24, and Luiza Gunn a/k/a Luiza Eldridge, age 26, both of Fort Wayne were each charged in a three-count indictment alleging the distribution of fentanyl.
- Ivan Acosta a/k/a Ivan Acosta-Soto, age 35, and Juan Hernandez-Ortega, age 31, both of Fort Wayne were charged in a three-count indictment alleging the distribution of methamphetamine.
- Ubaldo Peralta-Soto, age 25, of Indianapolis; Clemente Cortez, age 45, of Fort Wayne; and Nestor Luna-Lugo, age 34, of Fort Wayne were charged in a four-count indictment alleging conspiracy to distribute cocaine as well as the distribution of cocaine.
- Juvenal Cervantes-Cruz, age 25, of Red Bluff, CA along with Christian Diaz, age 22, and Jesus Sanchez, Jr, age 21, both of Fort Wayne were charged in a five-count indictment alleging the distribution of marijuana, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and providing a residence for the storage and distribution of narcotics.
- Fredi Garcia-Gamez, age 33, Miguel Navarrete-Garcia, age 43, and Tomas Vega-Perez, age 41, all of Fort Wayne were charged in a three-count indictment alleging the distribution of heroin and providing a residence for the storage and distribution of narcotics.
- Jesus Soto-Arellanes a/k/a Chuy, age 37, and Erik De Leon Verduzco-Garcia a/k/a Pulpo, age 33, both of Fort Wayne along with Roberto Soto-Arellanes, age 43, Jesus Alberto Soto-Garcia a/k/a Chubeto, age 35 and Edbel Alejandro Soto-Verduzco, age 28, all of Columbia City were charged in a twelve-count indictment alleging conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana along with other drug distribution and gun possession charges.
- Roderick Dedeaux a/k/a Rodrick Dedeaux, age 29, of Fort Wayne was charged in a five--count indictment alleging distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Juan Salas, age 30, of Fort Wayne was charged in in an eight-count indictment alleging the distribution of fentanyl.
