Latest news with #Arredondo
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Nevada man used Tualatin beauty salon to launder millions in drug trafficking proceeds
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A Nevada man pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to heading an Oregon-based drug trafficking organization, then laundering millions in profits through a Washington County business, authorities said. Luis Antonio Beltran Arredondo was a Mexican national 'unlawfully' living in North Las Vegas when he led a drug trafficking ring that brought pounds of heroin, fentanyl and meth into Oregon, the U.S. Department of Justice said. 15 years later: Kyron's 'not home, we're not done' Investigators seized more than 52 pounds of heroin, seven pounds of fentanyl pills and nearly six pounds of methamphetamine in connection with the Portland metro area drug trafficking operation between October 2021 and January 2022, according to court documents. Arredondo then conspired to launder $4.63 million in drug trafficking profits through a Tualatin-based beauty salon, officials said. He then bought nine properties using the money, converting them to income-generating rentals. The properties were forfeited to the United States and will be sold. On Monday, Arredondo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin and fentanyl and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is slated to be sentenced on August 18, where he faces a maximum life sentence in prison, with five years supervised release and $10 million in fines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Albany Park school custodian finishes as runner-up for national honor
CHICAGO (WGN) — School custodians often get overlooked, but that's not the case for a hardworking Chicago Public Schools staffer who received a surprise honor on Wednesday. Students and faculty members at Hibbard Elementary School in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood cheered on custodian Micaela 'Mica' Ortiz Arredondo, who recently placed second in Cintas 'Custodian of the Year' contest. The surprise celebration struck a chord with an emotional Arredondo, who earned $1,000 and a trip for two to Las Vegas as runner-up for the national honor. Tina Knowles on new book, 'Matriarch: A Memoir,' Beyoncé, and her love for Chicago But the prize that means the most to her, she says, is the love from everyone at the school. In April, WGN's Mike Lowe profiled the beloved custodian, who continues to make an impression on students with her Swiffer and smile. 'I love it. I really do,' Ortiz said. 'The school is our second house, for the kids, because they come to learn, they come to enjoy, and they come to play as well, so they must be in a good, clean place.' Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The 57-year-old grandmother's second-place finish out of 10 national finalists proves that the right person can make even the dirty work sparkle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Colombian narco-terrorists charged in federal indictment
LOS ANGELES - Federal authorities announced two Colombian nationals, described as narco-terrorists, have been charged in a six-count indictment. What we know Jacobo Idrobo Arredondo, 39, known as "Marlon Vásquez," and Juan Diego Palta Montero, 26, known as "Ñeque," are accused of leading a cocaine-manufacturing ring that trades drugs for firearms to support terrorist activities in Colombia, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Arredondo and Montero are senior members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army (FARC-EP). The charges include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to engage in narco-terrorism, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine for unlawful importation. Arredondo faces an additional charge of possession of firearms, machine guns, and destructive devices in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Both men are believed to be in Colombia and remain at large. The indictment, unsealed on May 5, describes FARC-EP as a dissident faction of the FARC terrorist group, which rejected a 2016 peace agreement with the Colombian government. FARC-EP is considered Colombia's most powerful and violent dissident group, responsible for assassinations, extortion, hostage-takings, and armed assaults. The group targets Colombian government and military personnel but has also attacked infrastructure, civilians, and U.S. military personnel in Colombia. Four other Colombian nationals were charged in a related indictment. Jorge Eliecer Luque Monsalve, 53, known as "Jorge Col," and Rubén Darío García Londoño, 41, known as "Bencho," were arrested by Colombian authorities. García has been extradited to the U.S. and appeared in court in Los Angeles on May 5, pleading not guilty. His trial is set for July 1. An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. FARC-EP uses propaganda videos to assert control over Colombia, threaten rivals, and recruit young Colombians. Idrobo has appeared as a primary speaker in some of these videos. The group controls a region responsible for producing about 70% of Colombia's cocaine. The backstory Designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in December 2021, FARC-EP collaborates with other terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). From March 2023 to March 2024, Idrobo and Palta allegedly attempted to provide FARC-EP with thousands of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, grenades, and machine guns, obtained by trading cocaine manufactured in Colombia-based laboratories. In May 2023, a drug deal in Colombia involved seven kilograms of cocaine intended for importation into the U.S., including Southern California, exchanged for Colombian pesos worth approximately $10,715. In December 2023, a co-conspirator traveled to the Czech Republic on Idrobo's behalf to inspect weapons for the cocaine trade. Discussions included plans to use rocket-propelled grenade launchers against Colombian government targets. Later that month, investigators said the defendants distributed approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine, packaged with images of the Hollywood sign, to a buyer. The investigation is being led by the DEA's Los Angeles Field Division and Bogotá Country Office, with assistance from Colombian and Czech authorities, and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs. The Source Information from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Uvalde DA sues Border Patrol to allow agents to testify in Robb Elementary case
The Brief Uvalde DA files suit to get Border Patrol agents to testify DA says agents' testimony is "essential" in cases against former Uvalde CISD officers Pete Arredondo, Adrian Gonzales charged with multiple counts of child endangerment UVALDE, Texas - The Uvalde District Attorney is suing the U.S. Border Patrol in an effort to get agents to testify in criminal cases related to the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary. What we know Christina Mitchell, the district attorney for the 38th Judicial District, filed the suit on May 9 in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. The lawsuit asks for judgment and relief under the Administrative Procedure Act to get the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to allow three agents to testify in the trials of former police chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales with Uvalde CISD. Arredondo and Gonzales are both facing multiple counts of felony child endangerment related to their actions during the shooting. In the filing, DA Mitchell says that the three agents' testimony is "essential to the pending Texas criminal prosecution", as two of them participated in killing the gunman and the third was present in the hallway during most of the incident. The filing also says that the request is the "culmination of District Attorney Mitchell's good faith efforts to reasonably accommodate the CBP," adding that 188 Border Patrol employees were involved in the response and that the DA had initially asked for the cooperation of 18 of those employees. Read the full lawsuit below: Click to open this PDF in a new window. Dig deeper Arredondo and Gonzales were indicted by a grand jury in June 2024, more than two years after the shooting. The indictment for Arredondo lists 10 counts of abandoning/endangering a child. Each count named a child survivor. The indictment claims Arredondo, "by act and omission, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly and with criminal negligence," placed the children in "imminent danger of bodily injury, death, physical impairment and mental impairment." The indictment accuses Arredondo of failing to identify the incident as an active shooter situation, instead calling SWAT which caused delays. The indictment also claims he failed to follow the active shooter plan developed by the school district by not establishing a command center and by prioritizing evacuation of students over stopping the shooter. READ MORE: New details for arrests of Pete Arredondo, another former Uvalde school officer Arredondo attempted to have the charges thrown out, claiming he was improperly charged and has been scapegoated for the botched response. Gonzales, who was among the first officers to arrive at the scene, has been indicted on 29 counts of abandoning or endangering a child. He is accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the shooter, even after hearing gunshots as he stood in a hallway. Each charge against Gonzales and Arredondo carries up to two years in jail if convicted. Both have pled not guilty. The backstory The shooting at Robb Elementary was one of the worst school shootings in United States history. The Department of Justice released a nearly 600-page report detailing the 'cascading failures' by law enforcement on May 24, 2022. READ MORE: 'I don't want to die,' student tells 911 dispatcher from Uvalde school during mass shooting Nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents, 91 state police officers, school and city police responded to the scene, but waited for 77 minutes before entering the classroom and killing the 18-year-old shooter. The report talked about the vast array of problems, from failed communication and leadership, to the inadequate training and technology used by police. READ MORE: Uvalde marks one year since deadly Robb Elementary mass shooting A private investigator hired by the city cleared Uvalde city police of missteps. Austin-based investigator Jesse Prado presented his findings and stated the department did not commit any wrongdoing or violate any policy. Several families of Uvalde victims have filed federal and state lawsuits against law enforcement, social media and online gaming companies and the gun manufacturer that made the rifle the gunman used. Uvalde City Council recently approved a $2 million settlement with the families of the victims. As a part of the agreement, city leaders promised higher standards and "enhanced training" for current and future police, as well as a memorial to the victims, resources to support mental health and the upkeep of the children's graves. 19 Robb Elementary students were killed in the shooting. Xavier Javier Lopez, 10 Amerie Jo Garza, 10 Uziyah Garcia, 8 Rojelio Torres, 10 Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10 Nevaeh Bravo, 10 Makenna Lee Elrod, 10 Eliahana 'Elijah Cruz' Torres, 10 Eliana 'Ellie' Garcia, 9 Alithia Ramirez, 10 Jacklyn "Jackie" Cazares, 9 Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10 Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11 Jose Flores Jr, 10 Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio, 10 Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10 Tess "Tessy" Marie Mata, 10 Maranda Gail Mathis, 11 Layla Salazar, 10 Fourth-grade co-teachers 48-year-old Irma Garcia and 44-year-old Eva Mireles were also killed. Family members said at the time that both died trying to protect their students. The Source Information in this report comes from court paperwork and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hotel drug bust: Midland man arrested after officers recover over 500 grams of drugs
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man was arrested after police say a traffic stop led to the discovery of large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana inside a local hotel room. 44-year-old Billy Garcia Arredondo has been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1, a first-degree felony, along with additional charges for cocaine and marijuana possession. According to an arrest affidavit, the investigation began in March when detectives with the Midland Violent Crimes Task Force received information from a cooperating source alleging that Arredondo was distributing narcotics in the Midland area. The tipster also said Arredondo was driving a white Hummer. Detectives later confirmed his identity as Billy Garcia Arredondo. On March 25, detectives observed Arredondo at the Quality Inn on West I-20, a location police say has previously been linked to narcotics activity. Arredondo and a woman were seen entering the hotel and leaving about 30 minutes later in different clothing. Officers initiated a traffic stop a few blocks away on Rankin Highway, citing expired registration. During that stop, police said Arredondo had given consent to search the vehicle. Officers found a small amount of cocaine and marijuana inside, as well as a hotel room key card. Both individuals were detained and transported to the Midland Police Department for questioning. Detectives then confirmed with hotel staff that Arredondo was staying in a room at the Inn. Due to concerns about evidence being tampered with, officers secured the room, and a search warrant was later granted by District Judge Robnett. Inside the room, detectives reported finding six bags of methamphetamine weighing a total of 243 grams, five bags of cocaine totaling 70 grams, and one large bag of marijuana weighing 229 grams. They also located drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale and plastic baggies. The affidavit states that Arredondo declined to admit ownership of the drugs but did not deny the evidence. The woman, whose name is redacted from the affidavit, denied knowledge of the narcotics but admitted to occasional cocaine use. Both cell phones found during the investigation were seized and later subjected to forensic examination under an additional search warrant. Arredondo was taken into custody on Monday, May 12, and booked into the Midland County Detention Center. His bond has been set at a combined amount of $512,000. The investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
