Four people in Ohio charged for smuggling drugs into U.S., entering country illegally

OHIO — A federal grand jury in Columbus has indicted four individuals on immigration-related charges this week, with some defendants having prior convictions for drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and human smuggling.

Juan Carlos Garcia-Vasquez, 45, a Mexican national, has been charged with illegally reentering the United States.

Court records show he was previously convicted of cocaine trafficking in Franklin County.

Ricardo Martinez-Nunez, 29, also a Mexican national, faces charges of illegal reentry.

His prior convictions in Franklin County include improperly handling a firearm in a vehicle and driving under the influence.

Lino Mendiola-Vanegas, 45, is charged with illegally reentering the country. His criminal history includes cocaine trafficking and forgery convictions in Franklin County.

Additionally, Adalberto Calixto Tolentino, 21, is accused of transporting four illegal aliens across the United States for financial gain.

Authorities allege that on Jan. 23, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Southern Arizona about a Toyota Highlander suspected of human smuggling.

Sheriff’s deputies stopped Tolentino in Licking County, discovering four individuals in the vehicle along with an envelope containing $8,000 in cash.

One passenger reportedly told law enforcement that he paid $10,000 to be smuggled from Mexico into the United States.

Authorities say Tolentino picked him up in the Arizona desert before transporting him further into the country.

Tolentino was arrested on Jan. 24 and has remained in federal custody since. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Illegal reentry into the United States carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, though repeat offenders and those with aggravated felony convictions can face up to 20 years.

The indictments were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio, along with officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth F. Affeldt and Tyler J. Aagard are prosecuting the cases.

These cases are being handled as part of the Southern District of Ohio Immigration Enforcement Task Force, which focuses on investigating and prosecuting immigration violations.

An indictment is a formal accusation of a crime, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.