A federal indictment unsealed Monday in a Texarkana federal court accuses three people of trafficking large amounts of cocaine.
Rodolfo Javier Falcon, 35, Claudia Claribel Gardea, 34, and Jose Geraldo Ornelas-Pineda, 30, were arrested Feb. 11 on a highway in Tennessee. The trio was allegedly transporting two children and more than 20 pounds of cocaine, according to news reports.
All three defendants appeared Monday morning for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. Craven appointed Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson to represent Falcon, Longview, Texas, lawyer Greg Waldron to represent Gardea and Longview lawyer Jason Cassel to represent Ornelas-Pineda.
All three defendants, with help from their lawyers, entered pleas of not guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of five kilograms of cocaine or more with intent to distribute.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Hornok said the government opposes release of the accused. But Harrelson asked that a detention hearing be scheduled to address whether Falcon should remain in custody or be free while his case proceeds. That hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning before Craven.
Waldron said Gardea has a hold placed on her by immigration officials and would be taken into custody by Immigration Customs and Enforcement should she be freed in her drug case. Cassel waived the issue of detention on Ornelas-Pineda's behalf.
The indictment alleges that the defendants have engaged in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine since at least December 2018 to the time of their arrests Feb. 11 on a highway near Dickson, Tenn. Online news reports of the arrest in Tennessee allege two children were riding on seats over hidden compartments where the drugs were stashed.
The indictment seeks the defendants' forfeiture of the 2013 Buick Enclave they were riding in at the time of their arrests as well as two cellphones. The indictment further seeks a $1 million judgment meant to represent the proceeds of the illegal conduct.
Craven explained at Monday's hearing that both of the charges carry the same punishment range. If the defendants are found guilty of possessing more than five kilograms of cocaine they face 10 years to life in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. If found guilty of possessing a lesser amount, the punishment range decreases.
Craven scheduled the case for jury selection in May. , Waldron then filed a motion Tuesday asking for a 60-day delay to give the defense lawyers time to investigate the case and engage in discussions with the government concerning possible plea bargains.