PLANO, Texas - U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced January 20, 2012 that 10 North Texas residents have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the McKinney, Texas area.
 
In July 2011, McKinney Police and Texas DPS began an undercover investigation of a heroin conspiracy involving several McKinney and Van Alstyne residents.  A federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment on Dec. 14, 2011, charging 16 individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.  A task force of 55 federal, state and local law enforcement officers conducted a round-up of those individuals on Jan. 17, 2012.  Those defendants in custody went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos Mazzant on Jan. 18, 2012, for initial appearances.
 
Those charged in the federal indictment and arrested are as follows:
 
        Defendant                                       DOB             City   
        Ernest Michael Diaz                   10/04/1992      McKinney
        Teresa Rodriguez                       05/16/1985     McKinney
        Santiago Adri Sepulveda            03/06/1991     McKinney
        Joe Diaz                                     08/24/1984      McKinney
        Ricardo Julio Castillo, Jr.             06/23/1991      McKinney
        Michael Angel Padron                 08/03/1993      McKinney
        Oscar K. Montoyo-Castillo           06/04/1990     McKinney
        Nancy Aleida Granados               01/19/1985      Dallas
        Steven William Taylor                  02/17/1991      McKinney
        Brittany Leann Vollweiler            03/16/1989      Van Alstyne, TX
        
If convicted, the defendants each face up to 40 years in federal prison.  The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any property used to commit or facilitate the crimes or derived from proceeds of the conspiracy.
 
Those included in the arrests and investigation of this case include the ATF, McKinney Police Department, Collin County Sheriff's Office, Greenville Police Department, Hunt County Attorney's Office, Hunt County Constable Pct. 1, Texas DPS, and U.S. Marshals Service.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ernest Gonzalez.
 
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.