DRUG DEFENDANT GETS 30 YEARS

Man Had Role In Meth-smuggling Ring

A key operative in a methamphetamine pipeline from Mexico and Texas to
Indiana was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday. An underling also
convicted this summer in a federal drug conspiracy trial received 23 years.
Leonel "Wicho" Moreno Jr. of McAllen, Texas, had funneled quantities of the
drug known as "crank" from labs in Mexico to the Dallas home of Miguel
Angel "Mike" Quintanilla. Quintanilla paid Moreno for the drug and then
oversaw its transportation to Southwestern Indiana and its sale here.

U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young sentenced the 28-year-old Moreno to 30
years in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
methamphetamine and to 20 years for money laundering, with the sentences to
run concurrently.

Testimony in the trial in June maintained that Quintanilla and the five
other conspirators on trial were responsible for distribution of 25 pounds
of methamphetamine with a street value of $750,000 to users in Southwestern
Indiana.

Despite trial evidence against Moreno that Young termed "very strong,"
Moreno continued to maintain his innocence, as had Quintanilla on the
previous day before Young sentenced Quintanilla to life. Against the
counsel of his attorney, Edward Malavenda of Indianapolis, Moreno told
Young: "I didn't have a fair trial in here and some day I will prove my
innocence."

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Young enhanced Moreno's sentence in
part because he had refused to accept responsibility for his role in the
conspiracy.

Malavenda said afterward that Young was fair in the sentencing.

A maximum sentence would have added more than three years to Moreno's term.
All six defendants found guilty in the trial in June are expected to appeal.

Alan Martinez-Guzman, a 26-year-old illegal alien from Mexico City who had
lived for two years prior to his arrest in Princeton, Ind., was sentenced
to 22 years and four months for his role in the conspiracy.

Termed a "drug runner" for Alfredo Ceballos, another conspirator sentenced
on Wednesday to 30 years in prison, Martinez-Guzman was twice recorded on
videotape selling methamphetamine to an undercover agent.

Speaking through trial interpreter Orencio Diaz, Martinez-Guzman confessed
at Thursday's sentencing hearing that he made the two videotaped sales, but
denied ever making another drug sale.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Blackington sought an enhancement of
Martinez-Guzman's sentence for obstruction of justice as a result of his
testimony. "He is either the unluckiest man on the face of the Earth and in
human history, or he is a liar who deserves a two-level increase (in his
sentence) for obstruction of justice," Blackington said.

Young agreed that Martinez-Guzman's statements had "stretched credibility,"
but declined to grant the sentencing enhancement. Due to a lack of criminal
history and lower level of involvement, Young said Martinez-Guzman did not
deserve a sentence equal to the 30 years meted out to Ceballos, his supervisor.

Two more conspirators - including Quintanilla's wife, Denise - are
scheduled for sentencing at a later date.