Drug-trafficking nets federal prison time for ‘Border Brothers’ member

By Gregan Wingert

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 6:18 p.m.

A 46-year-old man living unlawfully in Las Vegas and a member of the drug-trafficking organization known as the Border Brothers was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in federal prison, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Juan Carlos Macias-Chavez — also known as Juan Carlos Munguia and Mario Munguia – was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro in connection with the drug trafficking ring that distributed methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine in Las Vegas, according to the office of Daniel Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Macias-Chavez pleaded guilty in March 2011 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to Bogden’s office.

Macias-Chavez, a citizen of Mexico, was unlawfully residing in Las Vegas at the time of his arrest in July 2009 was sentenced to nine years in federal prison and five years of supervised release for his conviction on federal drug trafficking charges.

According to the court filings, the seizure of about 1.3 pounds of pure methamphetamine, about three ounces of cocaine and over six pounds of marijuana led authorities on the path to Macias-Chavez.

Authorities, tipped off by a confidential informant, determined the drugs were transported from California for sale in Nevada.

At the time of Macias-Chavez’s arrest, authorities seized two handguns and a rifle from the residence, according to Bogden’s office.

Macias-Chavez has a prior 2002 felony drug trafficking conviction in Clark County, for which he received a suspended sentence, but was also ordered to serve 30 days in prison and two years of probation, according to Bogden’s office. He never surrendered for the prison sentence, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant remained outstanding until it voided for judicial economy in 2007 and the case was closed without Macias-Chavez facing consequences.

Jose Rosales, also known as Don Pancho, was sentenced to nine years in prison in December 2011 for his involvement in the drug-trafficking group, according to Bogden’s office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley W. Giles prosecuted the case that was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and members of the Las Vegas Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.