Two illegal aliens and two convicted felons have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international drug trafficking and money laundering organization that operated from Mexico to Atlanta, according to a May 13 statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal networks moving drugs and illicit funds between countries. The sentences follow a federal investigation that uncovered a scheme involving bulk cash transfers, narcotics distribution, and attempts to conceal proceeds through small wire transactions.
“These defendants forfeited their freedom by choosing to poison our community and enrich narco-terrorists abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office, our Homeland Security Task Force, and our state and local partners are deeply committed to stemming the tide of drugs flowing into north Georgia and punishing the criminals who enable and abet foreign cartels.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Field Division, said: “Fentanyl continues to devastate communities across our country. Through strong partnerships and coordinated enforcement efforts, we were able to stop a dangerous operation and disrupt the flow of illegal profits. This case underscores our shared mission to save lives and keep our communities safe.”
Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office added: “Sandra Hernandez Chilel’s sentencing demonstrates that individuals involved in trafficking dangerous drugs such as fentanyl and laundering crime proceeds, which contribute to violence and instability within our communities, will be held responsible. IRS-CI special agents, together with our federal partners, conducted thorough investigations to dismantle this network and intercept narcotics and illicit funds, thereby ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.”
According to court information presented by Hertzberg: In 2024 David Miranda Vinalay worked with Jerome Lewis—previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine—and Irving Joel Hernandez—previously convicted on methamphetamine charges—to funnel large amounts of drug cash through a middleman in Norcross, Georgia. At the direction of traffickers based in Mexico, this money was delivered for laundering by Sandra Beatriz Hernandez Chilel via her business “Pulga La Esperanza.” The group laundered over $1 million between September-November 2024.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross sentenced Hernandez Chilel—a Guatemalan national—to five years five months’ imprisonment; she will be deported after serving her sentence following her guilty plea on money laundering conspiracy charges last December.
Jerome Lewis received fifteen years’ imprisonment plus ten years supervised release after pleading guilty; David Miranda Vinalay was sentenced nearly eight years followed by one year supervised release; Irving Joel Hernandez received seven years’ imprisonment plus five years supervised release—all after admitting guilt on related charges.
The investigation involved cooperation among multiple agencies including DEA; IRS Criminal Investigation; Georgia State Patrol; DeKalb County Police Department; Gwinnett County Police Department; Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office; with prosecution led by Assistant U.S Attorneys Bethany L Rupert Dwayne A Brown Jr Nicholas Evert.
These prosecutions form part of Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) actions under Executive Order 14159 targeting criminal cartels operating domestically or internationally—including child trafficking cases—with interagency collaboration directed out of Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprised from various federal local authorities led locally by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia served as principal federal law enforcement agency representing more than 7 million residents across north Georgia mountains suburbs bordering Alabama Carolinas while coordinating nationwide international cases according to its official website.
