Two Indicted on Charges of Bulk Cash Smuggling

June 4, 2010 - TOPEKA, KS—Maria Torres-Montelongo, 57, a citizen of Mexico, and Jaime Olivas-Ontiveros, 57, Kansas City, Kansas are charged with bulk cash smuggling. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 8, 2010, in Shawnee County, Kansas.

The indictment alleges Torres-Montelongo concealed on her person $74,994 and attempted to transport the cash from the United States to Mexico in order to evade federal currency reporting requirements. Olivas-Ontiveros is charged with aiding and abetting in unlawfully transporting the cash to Mexico.

Federal law requires anyone transporting more than $10,000 in or out of the United States to file a report with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury’s office.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Other Indictments

A federal grand jury meeting in Topeka, Kansas also returned the following indictments:

Jose Alejandro Ugarte-Arellano, 31, who is in custody in Osage County, Kansas is charged with possession of 11.4 kilograms (more than 25 pounds) of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 13, 2010, in Osage County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Jose Rodriguez-Ramirez, 45, who is in custody in Wabaunsee County, Kansas is charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 29, 2010, in Wabaunsee County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.

Antonio Esquivel-Rios, 36, Westminster, Colo., is charged with possession of 1.25 pounds of methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 30, 2003, in Wabaunsee County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Larry Leonard Rice, 60, is charged with bank robbery. The indictment alleges May 29, 2010, he robbed Bank of the West, 8900 W. 135th Street, Overland Park, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Overland Park Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Smith is prosecuting.

Eladio Solis-Flores, 42, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found April 26, 2010, in Shawnee County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

Eleazar Perez-Aguilar, 37, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found May 27, 2010, in Shawnee County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.