Sinaloa Cartel Member Sentenced in Another Operation Sweet Silence Case

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A member of the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced to prison today because of Operation Sweet Silence, a campaign targeting violent crime and drug trafficking tied to criminal organizations in the Columbus region.

Juan Carlos Torres-Arzapalo, 41, of Mexico and in the United States illegally, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison on May 6, after he previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy on Oct. 27, 2025. Torres-Arzapalo is subject to deportation upon completion of his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.

"We are focused on dismantling cartels and armed criminal organizations terrorizing our communities and bringing them to justice," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes for the Middle District of Georgia. "Those who cross the border illegally to commit violent crimes, distribute dangerous drugs and spread chaos in the Middle District of Georgia will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Operation Sweet Silence demonstrates the strength of law enforcement collaboration."

"Criminal street gangs were responsible for a wave of violent crime in and around Columbus," said Rich Bilson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Columbus is a safer place now that the FBI and our partners have effectively dismantled this armed drug trafficking organization. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to keep our streets safe."

"This investigation represents the very best of law enforcement collaboration," said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. "Federal, state and local partners worked side by side for years to uncover the full scope of this criminal enterprise and ensure every individual responsible faced justice. With the conviction of this defendant, we are getting closer to holding all individuals involved accountable. Our communities are safer today because of the dedication and teamwork of the investigators and prosecutors, and we are committed to bringing this case to a successful conclusion."

"We won't stop until the criminal activity stops," said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. "There is strength in collaboration when we combine our resources to go after criminal enterprises involving street gangs, drug dealers and convicted felons. We will continue this fight for safer streets and a safer community."

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, federal and local law enforcement conducted Operation Sweet Silence from August 2022 until May 2024, an extensive investigation into the illegal activities of the Zohannon criminal street gang and other criminal street gangs in Columbus-including US World, the Crips, the Bloods, and the Gangster Disciples-involving armed drug trafficking with ties to two Mexican cartels. The operation dismantled the Zohannon Street Gang and severely impacted other gangs, especially US World, a hybrid criminal organization in Columbus.

Specifically, co-defendant Ulises Cervantes was identified by federal agents as a multi-kilo level cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana dealer who sourced drugs from the Sinaloa Cartel, although he does not identify as a member. Cervantes was based out of Sacramento, California, but had residences in both Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama. Agents learned Torres-Arzapolo, a confirmed Sinaloa Cartel member, was working with Cervantes to distribute these drugs in the Middle District of Georgia.

Over a court-authorized wiretap, agents heard Cervantes contract one of his California drug suppliers for kilogram pricing of drugs on Sept. 27, 2023, with Torres-Arzapolo in the background discussing the purchase, requesting information from the caller for the cost of around "fifty" of the "hielo," which refers to 50 kilograms of methamphetamine. The next day, on Sept. 28, 2023, agents intercepted a call between Torres-Arzapolo, Cervantes and a third party discussing a large marijuana deal.

Agents intercepted additional calls between Torres-Arzapolo, Cervantes and a third person arranging a cocaine transaction. Cervantes provided codefendant Derrick Porter's Columbus address to Torres-Arzapolo for the delivery of 26 "zips" of cocaine to Porter. On Oct. 11, 2023, Torres-Arzapolo and another individual delivered a kilogram of cocaine to Porter. Porter later called Cervantes to complain that he had been shorted on the deal. Cervantes stated that he had weighed it the day before, but would contact Torres-Arzapolo to address the problem. The next day, Oct. 12, 2023, intercepted calls showed Cervantes asking Torres-Arzapolo his estimated arrival time to Porter's residence. Agents then observed Torres-Arzapolo and another individual arrive in an SUV and were assisted by Porter to remove a cooler and suitcase from the vehicle.

Connected to this operation, a total of $270 million in drugs were seized, including $20 million in cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana from the streets of Columbus and $250 million of marijuana from a California supplier. 119 firearms, including machineguns, rifles, shotguns, high-capacity magazines and stolen weapons were seized and removed from the streets of Columbus.

A total of 31 defendants including Torres-Arzapolo were indicted across nine separate indictments, and 30 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, with some already sentenced by the court. Operation Sweet Silence defendants, all of Columbus unless otherwise indicated, are:

Freddie Bowens, also known as "Profit," 27, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for the illegal possession of a machine gun.

Fernando Brown, also known as "Nino," 33, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine, and more than 100 pounds of marijuana and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking and is awaiting sentencing.

LaBrandon Brown, 31, was sentenced to four years in prison for using a phone to facilitate a drug offense.

Jantzen Carter, 40, of Waverly Hall, GA, was sentenced to ten years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Ulises Cervantes, 33, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Anthony Champion, 46, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Trenton Clemons, 48, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Dequindre Dawson, 33, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Nicholas Fitzpatrick, 30, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Terry Gash, 54, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Undrae Hayes, 37, was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Roderick Hicks, 59, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Christopher Hill, 36, was sentenced to two years in prison for using a phone to facilitate a drug offense.

Marquez Holloway, 32, was found guilty at trial of drug conspiracy and drug distribution and is awaiting sentencing.

Darius Jenkins, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Jeffrey Kimbrough, 29, was sentenced to three years of probation for drug conspiracy.

Hykeem Lomax, 33, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Quadarius Lusk, 30, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Aundray Morgan, 39, pleaded guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense and is awaiting sentencing.

Tommie Mullins, Jr., also known as "TJ," also known as "Bo," also known as "Mini," 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Javonta Paden, 25, was sentenced to five years and 11 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Adrian Palmer, also known as "AP," 25, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Adrian Pleasants, 29, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Derrick Porter, 54, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Dahvontay Richardson, 28, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Trenton Thomas, also known as "Bubble," 25, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for drug conspiracy.

Corey Turner, also known as "Lito Red," 33, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug conspiracy.

Jhy'Keith Williams, 24, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for illegally possessing a machine gun.

Malik Williams, 27, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Leonard Campbell, 37, of Columbus, is charged by federal indictment with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He is facing a maximum of life in prison. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. District Judge Clay Land is presiding over the cases. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case was investigated by FBI Georgia, the DEA, and the Muscogee County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office with critical assistance from the Harris County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office; the Russell County, Alabama, Sheriff's Office; the Coweta County, Georgia, Sheriff's Office; and the Muscogee County District Attorney's Office.

Deputy Criminal Chief Veronica Hansis for the Middle District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Matthew Mattis of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case.