33 Texas Coastal Bend residents arrested during multi-agency operation targeting narcotics, illegal firearms; 2 fugitives remain at large

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Thirty-three residents of the Texas Coastal Bend area were arrested this week during a multi-agency operation by federal, state and local law enforcement targeting methamphetamines and illegal firearms.

Two other fugitives, Michael McDaniel, 44, of Three Rivers, Texas, and Luis Vela, 19, of Alice, Texas, remain at large. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of McDaniel or Vela is asked to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at 1-866-347-2423.

This operation dubbed “Operation Coastal Bender” was conducted by the following agencies: HSI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Unit; Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); sheriff’s offices in the Texas counties of Live Oak, San Patricio and Nueces; Jim Wells County Constable’s Office; and Texas police departments in George West, Alice and Beeville.

Each defendant has been charged in a separate and unrelated criminal complaint or indictment. Seventeen of 33 defendants currently in custody, and both of the individuals who remain at-large, are charged with federal firearm and narcotics violations.

Authorities also served three search warrants resulting in the following items being seizure: more than three ounces of methamphetamines, several grams of cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, three firearms, ammunition, and other items related to the sale and distribution of narcotics.

Following this operation, HSI and ATF representatives discussed why it is critical for law enforcement agencies at all levels to work together:

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked side-by-side with HSI, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), as well as state and local police departments to apprehend dozens of violent criminals,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski. “This coordinated effort will make a large impact on violent crime.”

A complete list of all federal defendants is included below.  Conviction on the charge of felon in possession of firearms carries up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Each federal charge involving a controlled substance carries a minimum penalty of not less than five, but potentially up to life in prison, and fines up to $1 million. Using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries an additional five-year term of imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Corpus Christi Division of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting these respective cases.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Federal Defendants