Nine arrested throughout county
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has nine suspects in custody for their involvement in a major suspected cocaine distribution ring. According to the sheriff’s office, arrests were made over a few days during the first week of the month. Some of the arrests were made in Morro Bay, Los Osos, Atascadero and Paso Robles.
The detectives stated that the investigation began around November 2014, which eventually led to obtaining of several search warrants. Beginning Wednesday, August 5, the warrants were served over three days at five locations throughout the county. Information to the media and public was withheld due to the service of other search warrants last week. Investigators stated that releasing information prematurely may have jeopardized their case.
Jonathan David Byham, Joseph Arch Messineo, and Jason Vidal Sianez.
The investigation was assisted by members of the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the San Luis Obispo County DA’s investigators, SLO Police Department, SLO County Probation Department, the CHP, the Department of Homeland Security, and even Irish Law Enforcement. (One of the suspects had traveled to Ireland during the investigation.) According to the sheriff’s office, the searches netted more than five kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $200,000. Investigators also located semi-automatic rifles, handguns and ammunition.
The sheriff’s office claims this is one of the largest cocaine busts in recent history. The investigation revealed the operation was very sophisticated and that it was responsible for distributing and dealing kilos of cocaine at a time. The distribution of cocaine was not only inside the county but to surrounding counties as well. Investigators believe the operation has ties to Mexican drug cartels.
Alexander John Getzbouchillon, Johnnie James Medina Jr., and Alexander Allan Matarese
Those arrested included: Chase Michael Hanson, 25, of Morro Bay for transportation and sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, first-degree residential burglary and maintaining a place for the sale of narcotics; Dane James Bennett, 26, of Morro Bay for transportation and sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and maintaining a place for the sale of narcotics; Sawyer Scott Sackett, 18, of Paso Robles for transportation and sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale; Jonathan David Byham, 25, of Atascadero for transportation and sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale; Joseph Arch Messineo, 39, of Atascadero for possession of a controlled substance for sale, cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale; Jason Vidal Sianez, 27, of Atascadero for transportation and sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale; Alexander John Getzbouchillon, 23, Los Osos for transportation and sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale; Johnnie James Medina Jr., 27, of Morro Bay for first-degree residential burglary and receiving stolen property; Alexander Allan Matarese, 31, of Cayucos for transportation and sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale.
They were all also charged with criminal conspiracy. The sheriff’s office stated that all charges are felonies.
Read More: SanLuisObispo.com – 9 SLO County residents linked to cocaine-trafficking ring
