Thirteen Sentenced in Simon Chavez Lubbock-Area Meth Trafficking Ring

The last defendants convicted in a sizable organized drug ring have been sentenced.

Those sentenced were part of the Simon Chavez Drug Trafficking Organization, and were targeted in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation.

On March 21^st of this year, U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings sentenced Simon Orlando Chavez, Jr. to the statutory maximum of 240 months in federal prison.

Chavez pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cummings also sentenced Jimmy Cordova, who pleaded guilty to the same offense, to 188 months in federal prison.

Six additional defendants also pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Their sentences are listed below. They are:

• Jose Luis Lara-Sosa – 87 months in prison
• Jose Montemayor – 87 months
• Sammy Chavez – 121 months
• Antonio Rosa – 51 months
• Ruben Deleon – 71 months
• Anthony Deleon – 57 months

Other defendants pleaded guilty to various other offenses and were sentenced as well.

Jessica Trevino was sentenced to 120 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Brian Melcher received a 175-month sentence, and Francisco Avalos-Alejandre was sentenced to 100 months in prison, both for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Ira Newton-Davis received a 48-month sentence for unlawful use of a communication facility, and Tiffany Lashell Copley received 12 months and a $5,000 fine for operating an illegal gambling business.

The operation resulted in seizures of methamphetamine, three vehicles, and more than $313,000 in cash.

“The convictions of Simon Orlando Chavez, Jr. and his co-conspirators are indicative of DEA’s continued commitment to fully identify, investigate, and bring to justice drug trafficking organizations determined to make a living on the backs of addiction,” said Daniel R. Salter, Special Agent in Charge of DEA, Dallas Field Division.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Cunningham of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock.