7 Arizona suspects plead guilty in drug trafficking case

PHOENIX — Seven Arizonans pleaded guilty in a drug trafficking case on Thursday, authorities said.

They pleaded guilty last week of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Pennsylvania. 

The following suspects from Arizona also admitted to being part of an international drug trafficking organization:

• Jaime Ledesma, 27, from Phoenix.
• Stephanie Ortiz, 26, from Avondale.
• Jesus Lopez, 24, from Phoenix.
• Adrian Lopez Rivera, 24, from Phoenix.
• Luis Fentanes, 24, from Phoenix.
• Diego Monarrez, 23, from Phoenix.
• Samuel Aguirre, 23, from Phoenix.

The defendants face a minimum of 10 years in prison with a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 3-5.

They were charged in January 2024 for involvement in a drug and money laundering conspiracy that involved large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from August 2021 to June 2023, authorities said. 

Why were the Arizonans charged in the drug trafficking case?

Authorities said Ledesma, Ortiz, Aguirre, Lopez, Rivera and Monarrez each colluded to sell more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of methamphetamine with all except Monarrez conspiring to sell more than five kilograms of cocaine.

From August 2021 to March 2023, Fentanes colluded to sell more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 500 grams of cocaine. 

Authorities said Aguirre conspired to launder money and deliver U.S. currency to couriers to smuggle into Mexico in order to pay for re-suppliers of the drugs.

Prosecutors said the suspects were caught on a federal wiretap acquiring the drugs they distributed.

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