Twenty Arrested After FBI-Led Bust Of Austin-Based Drug Trafficking Ring [UPDATED]

Austin, TX -- Law enforcement officials on Tuesday arrested 20 people in connection with an Austin-based drug trafficking organization.

U.S. Attorney's Office officials under the U.S. Department of Justice said the dragnet yielded 18 arrests in the Austin area and two in Houston. The arrests follow federal drug trafficking charges, according to U.S. Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and the FBI's Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio division, according to a press advisory.

"A federal grand jury indictment unsealed in Austin this afternoon charges 19 of those arrested with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana," officials said. "Allegedly, these defendants are responsible for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics since May 2014. "

In their prepared statement, law enforcement officials made special mention of the 20th person arrested: "The 20th individual, 30-year-old Julianne Maynard of Austin, was arrested this morning and charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances."

Federal law enforcement authorities released a list of those arrested Tuesday morning:

NAME AGE RESIDENCE
Harold Lee Urias, III (aka “Hero”) 38 Austin
Nancy Urias-Jaimes 32 Austin
Anthony Acosta 41 Austin
Aaron Anderson 41 Austin
Joe Beltran 40 Austin
Edward Cortinas (aka “Cort”) 58 Austin
Alfred Escobar 44 Austin
Virgil Fernandez, Jr. 57 Austin
Alfredo Garza 32 Austin
John Carl Garza (aka “Juanillo”) 50 Austin
Jesus Gonzalez 24 Katy, TX
Wayne Limon 44 Buda, TX
Jose Ortiz, II 28 Austin
Angelo Perez 37 Austin
Phillip Anthony Rivera (aka “AntDog”) 41 Austin
Seaton Scott Salazar (aka “Saul”) 39 Austin
Mark Selvera 45 Austin
Luis Miguel Villanueva 22 Houston
Paul Villanueva (aka “Ponka”) 49 Austin
Julianne Maynard 30 Austin
"Upon conviction, the defendants face sentences of between ten years and life in federal prison," officials noted. "All of the defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings beginning on Friday morning before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin."
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement officials seized over four kilograms of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine; nine firearms, two vehicles, and about $50,000 in U.S. Currency during their operation.
Tuesday's arrests are the culmination of a two-year-old investigation conducted by the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force comprised of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General, Travis County Sheriff’s Office and the Round Rock Police Department, officials said.
“Partnership is essential to the success of investigations, and we thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts during this operation that culminated in today’s arrests,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, said. “Removing dangerous drugs and violent criminals from our neighborhoods is essential to ensure a bright future for our families.

"The FBI and its task force partners are committed to disrupting violent gang activity and improving the quality of life in our communities.”

Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Gardner is slated to prosecute the case on behalf of the government, officials said.

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From earlier:

South Austin, TX -- FBI officials served a warrant at a South Austin home Tuesday as part of a broader law enforcement operation involving local police forces focused on several sites throughout the city, according to published reports.

FBI agents served a warrant at a home at a home in the 5800 block of Emerald Forest Drive in South Austin, according to media reports. The operation reportedly has yielded multiple arrests.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that several local law enforcement agencies have been involved in the operation at multiple locations in the Austin metro area. The warrant served on Emerald Forest Drive -- near West Stassney Lane and South First Street -- took place shortly after 10 a.m., the newspaper reported.

According to the account, several local agencies are assisting the FBI effect warrants, including the Round Rock Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, an FBI spokeswoman, Michelle Lee, told the Statesman.

No further details have been released. Patch will provide an amplified report once FBI officials disclose more information.