LUBBOCK, Texas — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Monday the final defendant, Beatrice Eunice Gutierrez, had been sentenced in a large-scale drug and gun bust in Lubbock in July of 2023. A total of 23 defendants were sentenced to a combined total of 218 years in federal prison.

“Project Safe Neighborhoods is designed to target an areas’ most dangerous offenders. Key to the initiative’s success are productive partnerships between state, federal, and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “We hope the Lubbock community will feel more at ease knowing these defendants will spend significant time off their streets and behind bars.”

In the investigation, authorities seized more than 12,354 grams of fentanyl pills, 12,732 grams of methamphetamine, 4,393 grams of heroin, 31 grams of oxycodone, 1.25 grams of cocaine, 35 firearms and $155,204 in money.

Members of the group are linked to at least one fatal overdose, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The individuals sentenced are listed below:

  • Steven Paul Echols was sentenced to 210 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Rachel Michelle Melendez was sentenced to 210 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Nicolas Blake Pereida was sentenced to 240 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Brent Reed Angelle was sentenced to 188 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Alexus Michelle Grubelnik was sentenced to 135 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Beatrice Eunice Gutierrez was sentenced to 216 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Erik Hans Grosstueck was sentenced to 216 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Brian Jacob Miller was sentenced to 70 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Alexander Erik Pierce was sentenced to 186 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Christian Carlisle Enochs was sentenced to 60 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Brannon Mikel Burns was sentenced to 42 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Matthew Ryan Chandler was sentenced to 42 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Loddy Max Montoya was sentenced to 42 months for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Trey Matthew Parrish was sentenced to 96 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
  • Glen Donnell Nall Jr. was sentenced to 135 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Anthony Ray Morales was sentenced to 78 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Ronny Paul Spruiell was sentenced to 210 months for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
  • Kevontae Jalil Hawthorne was sentenced to 48 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Daniel Anthony Moreno was sentenced to 30 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Ethan Tyler Nieto was sentenced to 32 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Martin Rosalez III, aka Wedo, was sentenced to 41 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Roberto Salinas Jr. was sentenced to 27 months for felon in possession of a firearm.
  • Tevin Terelle Carrington was sentenced to 63 months for felon in possession of a firearm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division – Lubbock Resident Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Lubbock Resident Agency, the United States Marshal Service, the Caprock HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Anti-Gang Task Force conducted the investigation and arrest operation.