Two men from Springfield, and another from Willard, are facing charges as part of a group accused of trafficking cocaine.
55-year-old Mario Castillo and 22-year-old Christhian Cruz-Pineda, both living in Springfield, and 47-year-old Willard resident Johnathan Emerson allegedly helped distribute cocaine between December of 2021 through April of this year.
Castillo is charged with:
- Participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine
- Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm
- Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Unlawfully using a telephone to facilitate the drug-trafficking conspiracy
- Money laundering
Cruz-Pineda is facing charges of:
- Participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine
- Possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute
- Unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm
Finally, Emerson is indicted on charges of:
- Participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Money laundering
- Possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute
Two other individuals were also arrested in connection with the conspiracy, Bryan Ramirez-Aguero and Erika Hernandez, both of whom reside in Grain Prairie, Texas.
