Two from Springfield, One from Willard Charged in Large Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

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.