Ten Face Federal Drug Charges in Rock County Investigation

Madison, Wisconsin—Erik C. Peterson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that federal drug charges have been brought against 10 men. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, has returned six indictments, charging eight men, and two criminal complaints against two other men have been filed in U.S. District Court in Madison. The charges include conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The charges were announced today at a press conference in Beloit by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen P. Sinnott; Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop; Janesville Police Chief Neil Mahan; Rock County Sheriff Robert Spoden; Resident Agent in Charge Diane Pospyhalla of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Senior Supervisory Resident Agent Steve Marshall of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The grand jury returned the sealed indictments on May 14, following a long-term investigation. Teams of local and federal law enforcement agents arrested the defendants on May 15 and 16. Agents also executed five search warrants at residences in the Beloit area. The agents seized cocaine, guns, large amounts of currency, numerous vehicles, and other evidence of drug dealing.

The individuals who have been charged are:

Indictment One:
Fidel Holguin, 21, Beloit, Javit Zepeda, 29, Janesville, Jose Hernandez, 52, Janesville, are charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine from December 2007 to April 2008. Holguin also faces six counts of distribution of cocaine, with one count charging distribution of more than 500 grams. Holguin, Zepeda, and Hernandez each face a count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of property from Holguin, including $10,695 in currency, three vehicles, and television and stereo equipment, and the forfeiture of a vehicle from Hernandez.

Indictment Two:
Edgar Miranda, 28, Beloit, is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin and others to possess and distribute cocaine from August 2007 to April 2008. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of two vehicles.

Indictment Three:
Gerardo Cepeda, 28, Beloit, is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin and others to possess and distribute cocaine from December 2007 to April 2008, and with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute on March 24, 2008.

Indictment Four:
Emmanuel Avila, 34, South Beloit, Ill., is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin and others to possess and distribute cocaine from March 2008 to April 2008, and with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute on April 4, 2008.

Indictment Five:
Edgar Martinez, 25, Beloit, is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin and others to possess and distribute cocaine from April 2007 to April 2008.

Indictment Six:
Jose Sanchez, 47, Beloit, is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute on March 19, 2008, and with three counts of using a communication facility, specifically a telephone, to facilitate the commission of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he used the communication facility on March 12, March 13, and March 19, 2008.

Complaint One: In a complaint filed on May 16, 2008, Juan Reyes, 22, Beloit, is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin and others to possess and distribute cocaine, with the conspiracy involving the distribution of more than 500 grams of cocaine.

Complaint Two: In a complaint filed on May 16, 2008, Jose Quintero, 27, Beloit, is charged with conspiring with Fidel Holguin to possess and distribute cocaine from May 2007 to April 2008.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count charged. Fidel Holguin and Juan Reyes each face a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the charge alleging the distribution of more than 500 grams.

The charges against the defendants are the result of an investigation conducted by the Rock County Safe Streets Task Force. To date, more than 50 defendants have been convicted of federal drug and gun charges resulting from Task Force investigations. The prosecution of the cases announced today have been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Press Releases | Milwaukee Home