Eight Panhandle Residents Indicted in Drug Conspiracy

Eight panhandle residents have been indicted for their roles in a drug distribution conspiracy.

The 23-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Amarillo Tuesday morning, and charges eight people with substantive felony drug offenses.

Those indicted include:

Victor Manuel Chavez, Jr., 28, of Dumas

Carlos Martin Gonzales, 25, of Dumas

Datra Chevalier Johnson, 26, formerly of Amarillo

Olen Clyde Cargill, II, 36, formerly of Dumas

Cosme Chavez, 47, of Dumas

Sergio Ruben Ramirez, 42, of Dumas

Carlos Carrasco, 40, of Borger

Jose Elias Orozco, 48, of Dumas

Each has been charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

In addition, each of the defendants is charged with at least one substantive felony drug offense, and defendants Victor Chavez and Datra Chevalier Johnson are each charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

The investigation involved numerous undercover purchases involving significant amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana from June 2010 to May 2012.

If convicted, each conspiracy count carries a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison and a $10 million fine. The other drug counts carry maximum sentences of 5, 20, and 40 years in prison. The firearms count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.