Arizona Couple Sentenced in Money Laundering Conspiracy

ParkmanLawFirm
July 30, 2013

The Arizona couple that helped to lead a drug and money laundering conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, received their sentence on Monday, July 29th. Jose Valenzuela and his wire, Beatriz Valenzuela, were sentenced to 137 months and 125 months in prison, respectively. The couple will also face five years of supervised release after their prison sentences are completed and forfeit bank accounts worth $1,265,740.65 and $970,000. The sentence follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore and Phoenix and the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to plea agreements entered by the Valenzuela’s in early June, they couple used their package shipping business to ship marijuana from Arizona to Maryland and received money in return. Law enforcement agents executed search warrants at the Valenzuelas’ home and business on July 11^th of last year.

Co-conspirator Antonio Hill Jr. coordinated the shipment of drugs and managed the laundering of the proceeds to the sources of supply in Arizona. Antonio Hill’s brother, Erico, also helped coordinate the distribution of marijuana in Maryland.

Conspirators James Lewis Jr., Ernest Rawlings Jr., Errol Comma, and Jane Nkemateh assisted in the receipt of packages containing the illegal drugs in Arizona. Lewis and Kenneth Davis further assisted in the repackaging of marijuana in Maryland and the laundering of the proceeds to the sources of supply in Arizona.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mara Zusman Greenberg and Christen A. Spoule. The sentence ollows

If you find yourself facing criminal charges, it is important to find an experienced attorney to represent you. The attorneys of Parkman & White, LLC have a history of success in the court room and are ready to represent clients nationwide.

See also this guide to some of the Best employment & labor attorneys Phoenix, Arizona if you need employment law help and advice.