Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Seven individuals from Georgia and Mexico were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 1, 2025, in connection with an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring. They are allegedly linked to a Mexico-based trafficker. The jury was seated in the Northern District of Georgia.
The defendants from Norcross, Georgia, include Sandra Beatriz Hernandez Chilel, Karina Beatriz Perez Hernandez, David Miranda Vinalay, Jerome Lewis, and Irving Joel Hernandez. They were apprehended on April 15, 2025, in a coordinated operation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation teams, and local law enforcement. Following their arrests, they were arraigned before a United States Magistrate Judge.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi credited federal and local law enforcement for removing alleged criminal affiliates of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel from the community. "We will not allow these criminal enterprises to continue profiting off of the death and destruction of American lives," she stated.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. alleged, "The defendants allegedly trafficked high volumes of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our community and then laundered the illicit proceeds of their activities as directed by a Mexico-based drug trafficker, including more than $1 million during a mere two-month period."
DEA's Acting Special Agent in Charge, Jae W. Chung, emphasized the warnings to traffickers: "These arrests should be a clear message to the traffickers that keeping our communities safe is our highest priority."
According to the investigation, since September 2024, DEA discovered a scheme of drug dealers delivering bulk currency from drug sales to a Norcross middleman. This individual allegedly forwarded proceeds to Sandra Beatriz Hernandez Chilel and her daughter, Karina Beatriz Perez Hernandez. They ran a money service business, "La Pulga Esperanza," facilitating fund transfers to Mexico in increments to avoid scrutiny.
IRS Criminal Investigation's Special Agent in Charge, Demetrius Hardeman, highlighted the ongoing efforts: "Using our expertise in financial investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation is following the money, despite attempts by criminals to cover their tracks."
The DEA connected several traffickers, including defendants David Miranda Vinalay, Jerome Lewis, and Irving Joel Hernandez, to the transportation of drug proceeds to Norcross. One primary trafficker is linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Methamphetamine and fentanyl possession were also alleged, with intentions of distribution for the cartel.
The indictment reflects charges only, reminding the public that the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty at trial. The DEA and IRS, with assistance from Georgia and local police departments, are investigating the case, which is part of the "Operation Take Back America" initiative. Assistant United States Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert and Dwayne A. Brown, Jr., will prosecute.
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) effort to disrupt and dismantle high-level criminal organizations in the U.S.
Additional information is available through the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office and the OCDETF program website.
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