14 Individuals Charged in Joint Federal and State Investigation of Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organization

September 23, 2026

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: MacKenzie Tubbs Wednesday, September 23, 2026 Public Information Officer SDIA.gov | @USAO SDIA USAIAS.PAO@usdoj.gov

14 Individuals Charged in Joint Federal and State Investigation of Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organization

DES MOINES, Iowa – Fourteen individuals are facing federal criminal charges as a part of a joint federal and state investigation of a methamphetamine trafficking organization. Eleven of these defendants were arrested on September 22, 2026, during the execution of 10 federal search warrants in Marshalltown, Perry, and Des Moines. Those warrants resulted in the seizure of $21,193, six firearms, and 18 phones.

The following individuals are charged across two criminal Indictments:

• Jose Manuel Yepez Jr., 31, Marshalltown
• Marisol Ordaz Buenrostro, 24, of Perry
• Micaela A. Rivera, 25, of Des Moines
• Felipe Ramirez Alvizu, 40, of Marshalltown
• Jennifer Mares Flores, 31, of Marshalltown
• Liliana Hernandez Vazquez, 29, of Marshalltown
• Georgina Kasandra Hernandez Vazquez, 21, of Marshalltown
• Yureli Alondra Hernandez Vazquez, 25, of Marshalltown
• Juan Pablo Mendoza Juarez, 26, of Marshalltown
• Luis Ruben Aguilera Perez, 32, of Marshalltown
• Carlos Mendoza Juarez, 19, of Marshalltown

Liliana Hernandez Vazquez, Georgina Kasandra Hernandez Vazquez, and Yureli Alondra Hernandez Vazquez are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Carlos Mendoza Juarez is charged with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and up to 40 years in prison. The remaining individuals are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and related crimes, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life.

Eleven individuals have made their initial court appearance today and yesterday before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Trial was set for November 30, 2026. Three individuals have not yet appeared on the charges.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

These charges were announced by United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa, FBI Special Agent in Charge Gene Kowel, ATF Resident Agent in Charge Robert Carlson, Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement Assistant Director Bryant Strouse, and Marshalltown Police Department Chief of Police Christopher Jones made the announcement. Investigating and assisting agencies include the FBI, ATF, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department, Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Tri-County Drug Task Force, Mid Iowa Drug Task Force, Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Mid Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and Iowa National Guard Counter-Drug Task Force.

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