HARRISBURG, Pa. — Two York men were sentenced yesterday to federal prison for their involvement in the importation and distribution of cocaine and heroin into York County.
Angel Mendez-Castro, 27, of Puerto Rico and York, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane called Mendez-Castro a “violent” and “crafty kingpin” and said that his drug distribution network had a substantial impact upon the York community.
Mendez-Castro previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import and distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and heroin from 2010 to 2013. He also admitted to the use of threats of violence against witnesses and the use of firearms to protect the importation of the drugs from Puerto Rico.
Angel Mendez-Castro’s sentence is the culmination of a multi-year investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the York County Drug Task Force into the Latin King Street Gang in York.
Agents made hundreds of purchases of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine from over 100 individuals in York, resulting in the arrest of most of those individuals began on February 6, 2013. Fifteen of the leaders were indicted for their roles in the heroin and cocaine trafficking, including Angel Mendez-Castro.
His brother, Christian Mendez-Castro, a/k/a “King Rampage,” age 22, of Puerto Rico and York was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in the enterprise. Christian Mendez-Castro entered a previous guilty plea to the drug trafficking conspiracy. On May 13, 2015, Judge Kane sentenced their cousin, Hector Castro Padro, age 29, of Puerto Rico and York. He received a sentence of six years and four months in prison for his drug activities, as well as for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
As part of this larger investigation, the United States charged others affiliated with the distribution of heroin and cocaine in York. The other cases are as follows:
- William Ortiz, age 53, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On August 21, 2014, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Luis Angel Ortiz, a/k/a “C Lo,” age 31, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On April 15, 2014, he was sentenced to twelve (12) years and six (6) months in prison.
- Jose Cartegena, Jr., a/k/a “Warrior,” age 35, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On April 28, 2014, he was sentenced to five (5) years in prison.
- Marcus Garcia, a/k/a “King Paradise,” age 28, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On September 5, 2014, he was sentenced to six (6) years and five (5) months in prison.
- David Ramsey, a/k/a “King Knuckles,” age 32, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On December 9, 2014, he was sentenced to five (5) years in prison.
- Carlos Villalongo-Martinez, age 38 of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On July 29, 2014, he was sentenced to two (2) years in prison.
- Brandon Jones, age 27, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On June 3, 2014, he was sentenced to six (6) years in prison.
- Antonio Navarro-Garcia, a/k/a “King Trigger,” age 22 of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On November 25, 2014, he was sentenced to five (5) years in prison.
- Michael Enriquez, a/k/a “King Rage,” age 30, of Camden, New Jersey, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking. On January 27, 2015, he was sentenced to ten (10) years in prison.
- Hector Rengifo, age 40, of York, entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking on August 4, 2014. He is awaiting sentencing.
- August Ranalli, age 31, of York, was convicted of drug trafficking and conspiracy after bench trial. His sentencing is scheduled for August 2015.
- Daniel Pacheco-Morales, age 41, of York, entered a guilty plea to trafficking. His sentencing is pending.
