Texas Gang Member Pleads Guilty

WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Almighty Latin King and Queen
Nation (ALKQN) member David Hellums, aka "CutThroat," pleaded guilty today to
a superseding indictment charging him and 16 co-defendants with various
offenses related to alleged narcotics and weapons trafficking, as well as
violent activities throughout Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General
Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney for the
Northern District of Texas James T. Jacks.

Specifically, Hellums, 35, of Big Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count
of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five
kilograms or more of cocaine and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. He faces
a maximum statutory sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in
prison. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a pre-sentence
investigation with a sentencing date to be scheduled after that investigation
is completed.

According to documents filed in court, Hellums admitted that he was a member
of a conspiracy that included Jose Robledo Nava, aka "Chino;" Luis Nava, aka
"Flaco;" Reynaldo Nava, aka "Rat;" Robert Allen Ramirez, aka "Nesyo;" Marie
Chavez, aka "Shorty;" Carol Ann Rivas Nava; Cecily Dominique Juarez; Jesus
Martinez, aka "Solid;" James Johnathan Cole, aka "Blitz;" Eduardo Daniel
Mares, aka "Pitt;" Gabriel Lee Gonzales; Michael Conde, aka "Psycho;" Guerrero
Olivas, aka "Screech;" John Guzman; Hiluterio Chavez, aka "Zeus;" and Eliseo
Perez, aka "Wicked" and others, and that from 2001 until December of 2008,
directly or indirectly agreed to distribute, and possess with intent to
distribute, cocaine and marijuana.

Hellums admitted that the overall scope of the conspiracy involved at least
five kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana. Hellums further
admitted that he and his co-defendants intentionally and knowingly possessed
with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana and distributed cocaine
and marijuana to others. According to the indictment, they acquired the
cocaine and marijuana from Mexico and brought it to the South Texas region,
where it was packaged, stored, and transported to Big Spring, Lubbock and
Midland, Texas, for further distribution.

Hellums is the 12th defendant in the case to plead guilty. Others who have
pleaded guilty include:

Jesus Martinez, aka "Solid," 28, of Midland
John Guzman, 30, of Big Spring
Hiluterio Chavez, aka "Zeus," 33, of Chicago
Eliseo Perez, aka "Wicked," 28, of Mission, Texas
Luis Nava, aka "Flaco," 25, of Midland
Reynaldo Nava, aka "Rat," 27, of Big Spring
Marie Chavez, aka "Shorty," 28, of Lubbock
Carol Ann Rivas Nava, 20, of Big Spring
Cecily Dominique Juarez, 20, of Midland
Guerro Olivas, aka "Screech," 26, of Big Spring
Michael Conde aka "Psycho," 24, of Lamessa, Texas

The indictment also alleged that from 2004 through mid July 2005, defendants
Jose Robledo Nava, Jesus Martinez, and Hiluterio Chavez conspired to deal in
firearms. Last month, Jesus Martinez and Hiluterio Chavez pleaded guilty to
conspiring to engage in the business of dealing firearms.

Jose Robledo Nava is allegedly the ALKQN leader in Texas. He, along with
James Johnathan Cole, Robert Allen Ramirez, Gabriel Lee Gonzales and Eduardo
Daniel Mares are charged in the indictment with the May 4, 2008, murders of
Valerie Garcia and Michael Cardona, in Big Spring.

The case is being investigated by the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement,
and Coordinating Center (Gang TECC); the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task
Force (OCDETF); the Midland and El Paso U.S. Attorneys' Offices; the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration; the FBI; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the El Paso
Intelligence Center; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Marshals
Service; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the police departments of
Lubbock, Midland, Houston, San Antonio and Big Spring, Texas; the Lubbock
County Sheriff's Office; and the Howard County District Attorney's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody L. Skipper of the Lubbock, Texas, U.S. Attorney's
Office and Trial Attorney Joseph A. Cooley of the Department of Justice's
Criminal Division's Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, +1-202-514-2007, TDD,
+1-202-514-1888