A member of the Sureno 13 gang has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted on drug and firearm charges in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Hector Espinosa, 37, from Stephens City, received a 240-month sentence following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci commented on the sentencing: “This office will seek maximum accountability against transnational criminal organizations who prey on our citizens and communities. I am grateful for the outstanding work of our federal partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the ATF on this case.”
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Espinosa conspired with Ivan Ruiz-Gonzalez and others to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine in Virginia’s Northern Shenandoah Valley. On February 21, 2023, law enforcement agents arranged a controlled purchase of methamphetamine through Andres Vicencio, who obtained the drugs from Ruiz-Gonzalez. Surveillance observed Ruiz-Gonzalez entering Espinosa’s residence to collect a pound of methamphetamine before transferring it to Vicencio for sale to an undercover source. When authorities later executed a search warrant at Espinosa’s home, he was found with a firearm in his waistband.
Espinosa claimed during his trial that Ruiz-Gonzalez visited his home that night only to buy pork carnitas for his catering business. However, investigators determined that evidence and business records did not support this claim.
While awaiting sentencing after his conviction, Espinosa threatened a witness involved in the case and attempted to pressure him into recanting his testimony by threatening harm to the witness and his family.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Virginia State Police, and Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Taskforce. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Welsh prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 aimed at dismantling criminal cartels and foreign gangs through coordinated law enforcement efforts across various agencies. The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) works across federal, state, and local levels within Virginia to target violent transnational criminal organizations operating both domestically and internationally.
