SEGUIN, Texas – A high-ranking lieutenant of the Texas Mexican Mafia was one of 14 people arrested Friday in Guadalupe County.
According to a news release, an 18-month joint investigation led by the Seguin Police Department resulted in numerous raids throughout the county on federal and state warrants for manufacture and delivery of controlled substances and federal organized criminal activity charges.
Seguin police Deputy Chief Bruce Ure said five SWAT teams executed raids across Seguin and Guadalupe County, seizing weapons, cash, vehicles and drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Ure said more than a dozen locations were targeted, and described Friday’s raids as the largest coordinated law enforcement effort in Sequin police history.
The 14 men arrested Friday are:
- Joey Mertz Gonzales, 47, (aka “Wheel Chair”) of Seguin
- Jeffrey Ozell Sarabia, 43 (aka “Guero”) of Seguin
- Eddie Flores, 29, (aka “Lil E”) of Seguin
- Carlos Rios, 45, of Live Oak, Texas
- David Phillip Urdiales, 37 (aka “Termite”) of New Braunfels
- Cruz Carlos Acosta, 36, of New Braunfels
- Noel Arce, 44, of Mario, Texas
- Mario Albert Leal Jr., 34, (aka “Lil Man”) of Seguin
- Nathan Gomez, 34, (aka "Luck") of Seguin
- Bryan Pelcastre, 28, (aka "BP") of Seguin
- Jerry Sarabia, 32, (aka "Flaco") of Seguin
- Damien Clack, 30, of Seguin
- Sam Flores, 33, (aka "Little Sammy") of Seguin
- Jose Saenz, 41, of Seguin
The Texas Mexican Mafia lieutenant has not been identified, but Ure said the ages of the men arrested Friday range from 23 to about 50.
“We think some of these people – today was the last day they’re going to see on the outside of the state penitentiary," Ure said. "They're a vicious, vicious gang, and our philosophy in Seguin and in this region, is 'Not in my community. Not here.'"
Warrants were also expected to be served at locations in New Braunfels, San Antonio and Houston.
Ure said he does not “believe in a threat of retaliation" from the Texas Mexican Mafia, and said the raids represent a significant dent in the operations of the Texas Mexican Mafia in Seguin and Guadalupe County.
Officials initially said more than 20 people had been arrested.
8 men captured in raids indicted on drug trafficking charges
Eight of the people arrested in Friday's raids have been indicted for their connection with a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation in the Seguin and New Braunfels areas since 2010. Three others, who are still being sought, were also indicted, according to the Department of Justice.
The eight people arrested and indicted are:
- Joey Mertz Gonzales, 47, (aka “Wheel Chair”) of Seguin
- Jeffrey Ozell Sarabia, 43, (aka “Guero”) of Seguin
- Eddie Flores, 29, (aka “Lil E”) of Seguin
- Carlos Rios, 45, of Live Oak, Texas
- David Phillip Urdiales, 37, (aka “Termite”) of New Braunfels
- Cruz Carlos Acosta, 36, of New Braunfels
- Noel Arce, 44, of Mario, Texas
- Mario Albert Leal Jr., 34, (aka “Lil Man”) of Seguin
Law enforcement officials are still searching indicted persons:
- Adrian Francisco Barbosa, 29, (aka “Lil A”) of New Braunfels
- John Gary Ortiz, 30, (aka “Big John”) of Seguin
- Christopher James Davila, 32, (aka “Luck”) of Seguin
All 11 men are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Rios is also charged with three counts; Acosta and Arce, two counts; and, the remaining defendants with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to the Department of Justice.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said law enforcement officials seized about three pounds of heroin, 13 pounds of powder cocaine, one pound of crystal meth, one pound of marijuana, $60,000 cash and six firearms.
Watch a documentary detailing the history and the ruthlessness of the Mexican Mafia below.