Alleged Manatee County Drug Traffickers Arrested

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces the unsealing of three indictments charging seven individuals with drug trafficking offenses. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies all defendants that the United States intends to forfeit properties which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

CASE NO. 8:09-CR-212-T-24 MAP
David Pallares (age 23, Bradenton)
Daniel Pallares (age 45, Bradenton)
Jose A. Pallares, a/k/a "Chepe" (age 22, Bradenton)
Homero Rodriguez-Mena (age 28, Bradenton)
Antonio Rodriguez-Perez (age 32, Myakka City)

CASE NO. 8:09-CR-291-T-30 TGW
Guadalupe Maldonado, a/k/a "Lupe" (age 39, Naples)

CASE NO. 8:09-CR-294-T-33 TBM
Joey Dunlap (age 37. Brandenton)

According to the indictments, the defendants were involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. The defendants were the targets of "Operation Bean Bag" a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) investigation, into the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into Manatee County and elsewhere in the Middle District of Florida, and, "Operation Dual Identity" the related investigation of an organization involved in the sale of "cloned" vehicles.

On July 29, 2009, law enforcement agents arrested David Pallares, Jose Pallares, Homero Rodriguez-Mena, Antonio Rodriguez-Perez, and Joey Dunlap in Manatee County, Guadalupe Maldonado was arrested in Naples, and Daniel Pallares in Texas. In connection with the arrest of Joey Dunlap, agents seized four firearms from his residence, including an AK-47 assault rifle. Homero Rodriguez-Mena is currently incarcerated on local charges related to the conduct charged in the indictment.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Miami-Dade Auto Theft Task Force, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher P. Tuite and W. Stephen Muldrow.

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