02/20/2008
Leader of Heroin Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 15-Year Federal Prison Term
Eugene, Ore. – Armando Paz-Mendez, an illegal alien from Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Michael R. Hogan to 15 years in prison following his conviction for possession and distribution of more than 9 kilograms of heroin over a six month period. He was also ordered to forfeit $23,451.00 in cash.
Judge Hogan found that Paz-Mendez, 36, was the leader of a heroin trafficking organization headquartered in Lane County, Oregon. Paz-Mendez‘s guilty plea and sentencing followed guilty pleas by Marcelino Vargas-Escobar, Juan Torres-Gonzalez, Luis Sanchez, Thomas Roe Davis, Anthony Ashley, Patricia Leon, LeDeanna Schmidt, Michael Mann, Keith Kelsch, Rachel Shoemaker, Sheila Lusk, and Gary Evanson, also for possessing and distributing heroin. These individuals were part of Paz-Mendez’s heroin trafficking organization..
Agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency working with a Task Force Agent from the Oregon State Police and an undercover detective from the Linn County Sheriff’s office, aided by law enforcement officers from the Oregon State Police, and Springfield and Eugene Police Departments, conducted undercover and surveillance operations over several years. The information derived from these operations provided a factual basis for a court order authorizing DEA to intercept the telecommunications of Paz-Mendez and others over a several month period.
In March 2007, the results of federal, state, county and local investigations led to the arrest of 34 individuals, including Paz-Mendez, who was arrested while he was in the process of being deported to Mexico. Thirteen of these defendants have pleaded guilty and nine others are scheduled to do so shortly.
For further information, contact Assistant United States Attorney Frank Papagni at (541) 465-6771.
