DES MOINES, Iowa – Fourteen individuals are facing federal criminal charges as a part of a joint federal and state investigation of a methamphetamine trafficking organization. Eleven of these defendants were arrested on September 22, 2026, during the execution of 10 federal search warrants in Marshalltown, Perry, and Des Moines. Those warrants resulted in the seizure of $21,193, six firearms, and 18 phones.
The following individuals are charged across two criminal Indictments:
- Jose Manuel Yepez Jr., 31, of Marshalltown
- Marisol Ordaz Buenrostro, 24, of Perry
- Micaela A. Rivera, 25, of Des Moines
- Felipe Ramirez Alvizu, 40, of Marshalltown
- Jennifer Mares Flores, 31, of Marshalltown
- Liliana Hernandez Vazquez, 29, of Marshalltown
- Georgina Kasandra Hernandez Vazquez, 21, of Marshalltown
- Yureli Alondra Hernandez Vazquez, 25, of Marshalltown
- Juan Pablo Mendoza Juarez, 26, of Marshalltown
- Luis Ruben Aguilera Perez, 32, of Marshalltown
- Carlos Mendoza Juarez, 19, of Marshalltown
Liliana Hernandez Vazquez, Georgina Kasandra Hernandez Vazquez, and Yureli Alondra Hernandez Vazquez are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Carlos Mendoza Juarez is charged with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and up to 40 years in prison. The remaining individuals are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and related crimes, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life.
Eleven individuals have made their initial court appearance today and yesterday before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Trial was set for November 30, 2026. Three individuals have not yet appeared on the charges…