Professional Documents
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Garcia DTO
Garcia DTO
PageID #: 1
AO 91 (Rev. 11/11) Criminal Complaint
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
On or about the date(s) of August of 2021 in the county of Lucas in the
Northern District of Ohio , the defendant(s) violated:
Complainant’s signature
6ZRUQWRYLDWHOHSKRQHDIWHU DEA SA Kurtis Jestes
VXEPLVVLRQE\UHOLDEOHHOHFWURQLF Printed name and title
PHDQV)HG5&ULP3DQGG
City and state: Toledo, Ohio Darrell A. Clay, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Printed name and title
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I, Kurt Jestes, Special Agent (SA) with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
INTRODUCTION
from the basic agent training program at the DEA Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in December
2005. Following graduation, I was assigned to the Laredo, Texas, District Office from 2006
until April 2012. In April 2012, I was transferred to the Lima, Peru, Country Office where I
continued my assignment until August 2018. After the conclusion of my tour in Lima, Peru, I
was transferred to the Toledo, Ohio, Resident Office where I am currently assigned. Prior to my
employment with DEA, I was employed as a Police Office with the Anne Arundel County,
Maryland Police Department from April 2002 until August 2005. As a Special Agent with DEA,
I am an “investigative or law enforcement officer” of the United States within the meaning of
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2510(7), that is, an officer of the United States who is
empowered by law to conduct investigations of and to make arrests for offenses enumerated
techniques, arrest procedures, search and seizure, narcotics, search warrant applications, and
various other crimes. In the course of my training and experience, I have become familiar with
the methods and techniques associated with the distribution of narcotics, the laundering of drug
proceeds, and the organization of drug conspiracies. In the course of conducting these
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investigations, your affiant has been involved in the use of the following investigative
surveillance, conducting short-term term undercover operations, analyzing telephone pen register
including the use of tracking devices, and preparing and executing search warrants which have
3. This affidavit is made in support of criminal complaints and arrest warrants for
for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute a Controlled Substance, in
violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), as well as
violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c) by STEVEN GARCIA-
MARTINEZ.
4. This affidavit does not include all the information gathered during the course of
this investigation. The following information is based on my personal knowledge, the knowledge
of DEA Special Agents and Task Force Officers, as well as investigations conducted by other
PROBABLE CAUSE
5. The United States, including the DEA, has been conducting a criminal
and other members of the Garcia Drug Trafficking Organization (Garcia DTO) regarding
6. On August 18, 2021, United States District Judge James R. Knepp, II, of the
Northern District of Ohio signed and authorized the interception of wire and electronic
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is the head of a drug trafficking organization based in Toledo, Ohio that distributes bulk
quantities of narcotics in Northwest Ohio and the surrounding areas, involving the following
investigators assigned to the Toledo Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration
level trafficker of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Toledo, Ohio area. CS#1 has been
cooperating with law enforcement for approximately two years for prosecutorial consideration
and has been deemed reliable. The information provided by CS #1 has been corroborated
through independent measures and enforcement operations. CS#1 has previously provided
information that has independently been corroborated and has led to the seizure of bulk amounts
counterfeit securities, bank fraud, theft, device fraud, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felonious
assault, forgery, drug trafficking, carrying concealed weapon, fleeing, possession of criminal
heroin to CS#1, outside surveillance. CS#1 provided the sample to agents and DEA lab analysis
confirmed it to be heroin.
8. In June of 2021 CS#1, with agents present, made contact via telephone with a male
he/she identified as MCLANE and coordinated the purchase of cocaine. MCLANE directed
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CS#1 to a house nearby his own primary residence in Holland, Ohio, where the transaction
would take place. Shortly after that phone conversation agents and investigators conducting
surveillance of MCLANE at 9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio observed him walk from that
location to 9651 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio where he was observed typing in the code for the
garage door and entering the attached garage. Approximately one minute later MCLANE exited
the garage and walked back to 9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio. MCLANE was observed
traveling from 9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio to a location in Holland, OH where he met
white powder from MCLANE for $1,800 of confidential funds. The white powder was field
tested and it gave a positive reaction to the presence of cocaine. The interaction between CS#1
9665 Frankfort Road Holland, OH observed him drive from that residence to 9651 Frankfort
Road Holland, OH where he stayed for less than a minute before departing. Agents and
investigators continued to conduct surveillance of MCLANE and observed him meet with the
driver of a black Kia. A registration check revealed that the Kia is registered to F.W. A check of
law enforcement databases revealed that F.W. has a criminal history that includes drug
possession and trafficking. MCLANE handed something to the driver of the Kia and then
9651 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio where he stayed for less than two minutes before driving to
9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio. Approximately twenty minutes later agents and
investigators observed MCLANE drive from 9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio to 9651
Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio where he again stayed for less than one minute before departing.
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Since June, 2021 agents and investigators conducting surveillance have observed MCLANE
come and go from 9651 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio on a regular basis both on foot and in
vehicle, and each time he stays only a few minutes before departing.
Road Holland, Ohio, from June, 2021 to the present, observed that MCLANE would regularly
park vehicles and walk onto the property of 9659 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio, most recently
on August 24, 2021. This property contains a horse pasture and a barn and is located between
9665 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio and 9651 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio. This property is
owned by J.M. and V.M., who also own 9651 Frankfort Road Holland, Ohio.
Wire Investigation
11. Through the wire and electronic intercepts of the Target Telephone,
communications took place that indicated a shipment of narcotics was pending delivery in
Toledo, Ohio. While the conversations did not specify the type of narcotic, agents determined
from various wire and electronic intercepts that the substance was cocaine. On August 23, 2021,
at 8:58 p.m., GARCIA received a telephone call from MARQUEZ. This call was verified
through a review of the pen register data and was intercepted and recorded during the Title III
intercept of the Target Telephone. In the conversation, which took place in the Spanish language
and was translated to English, MARQUEZ stated, “The machinery was unloaded. The backhoe
was unloaded, and the wagon”. GARCIA then asked, “When did it arrive?” MARQUEZ first
stated in the morning, but then clarified stating, “like around twelve”. GARCIA got upset with
MARQUEZ due to the fact he was not informed of the specifics of the delivery as well as that
MCLANE (who would receive the shipment) had access to take narcotics from the shipment
without GARCIA’s knowledge, cutting into GARCIA’s profits. GARCIA stated, “How many is
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this dude going to get because he has to pay me,” referring to MCLANE. MARQUEZ tried to
quell GARCIA’s mood and stated, “I’m calling you to give you good news, and to tell you that
there’s work.” The two agreed that GARCIA would take care of the business the next day.
Agents believe MARQUEZ was advising GARCIA that a load of narcotics had just arrived and
for GARCIA to check with his clients to see what quantity he wanted to receive. The two agreed
that GARCIA would determine the quantity and take care of the work the following day.
12. On August 23, 2021, prior to this intercepted telephone call, agents monitored
electronic surveillance which revealed that at approximately 3:13 p.m., a truck tractor towing an
empty flat bed trailer arrived at 9490 Frankfort Road, Holland Ohio, and was met by MCLANE.
Physical and electronic surveillance revealed that the trailer remained at the property parked in a
grass area behind the residence and the truck tractor had departed. Electronic and physical
surveillance revealed that MCLANE remained at 9490 Frankfort Road until approximately 4:15
p.m., where he then traveled to 9665 Frankfort Road, Holland, Ohio. Electronic surveillance
revealed that MCLANE departed 9665 Frankfort Road at approximately 4:30 p.m., traveled to a
location on South Berkey Southern Road in Swanton, Ohio, an address MCLANE frequents
4:52 p.m. and returned to 9490 Frankfort Road where the flatbed trailer was located, and stayed
there until approximately 6:18 p.m. MCLANE then drove directly to 615 North Eber Road,
Holland, Ohio where electronic surveillance revealed that he arrived at approximately 6:21 p.m.
and drove his vehicle behind a barn located on the property. At approximately 6:53 p.m.,
MCLANE left and returned home at 9665 Frankfort Road where he remained for the night.
13. Immediately after concluding the telephone call with MARQUEZ, GARCIA
called MCLANE at 9:04 p.m. The call was verified through a review of the pen register data and
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was intercepted and recorded during the Title III intercept of the Target Telephone. After the
two greeted each other, GARCIA asked, “What happened today?” MCLANE responded,
“Everything is going alright”. After GARCIA explained to MCLANE that he had to travel to
Michigan the next day to purchase a truck for MARQUEZ, GARCIA asked, “How many came
in?” MCLANE answered, “Oh. Thirty.” GARCIA then stated, “How many, how many do you
want? So, I know because you gonna have to start putting that down, that dollar bill, dollar
down, you know? Whatever you take.” MCLANE affirmed stating, “I know. Yeah, I know.”
The conversation continued and GARCIA told MCLANE, “Yeah, I will talk tomorrow when I
get there, okay?” Agents believe from this conversation that MCLANE advised GARCIA that
30 kilograms of narcotics had arrived and MCLANE had received the shipment. GARCIA then
told MCLANE that whatever narcotics he takes from the quantity that arrived he will have to pay
for them. GARCIA then stated that he would talk in person with MCLANE the following day.
14. On August 24, 2021, at 6:06 a.m. and 6:16 a.m., GARCIA called MCLANE
through his use of the Target Telephone; however, those two calls were not monitored. At
approximately 6:25 a.m., electronic surveillance showed MCLANE departing his residence,
located at 9665 Frankfort Road and traveled to 615 North Eber, Holland, Ohio, another residence
associated to MCLANE and believed to be a stash location for narcotics. Electronic surveillance
at 615 North Eber showed MCLANE arriving at 6:26 a.m. where he drove his vehicle behind a
barn and out of view. This barn is the same location he traveled to the previous day. At
approximately 6:32 a.m. electronic surveillance showed MCLANE departing the property in his
vehicle and returning to 9665 Frankfort Road where he parked in the driveway. At 6:36 a.m.,
electronic surveillance showed MCLANE carrying in a larger white bag that appeared heavily
15. At approximately 6:35 a.m., agents began physical surveillance on GARCIA and
observed him traveling towards MCLANE’s residence. At approximately 6:38 a.m., electronic
surveillance revealed GARCIA pulling into the driveway at 9665 Frankfort Road, Holland, Ohio,
MCLANE’s primary residence. MCLANE walked from behind the residence and walked to
GARCIA’s vehicle where he made a hand motion directing GARCIA to park on the property
next door. GARCIA then pulled out of the driveway and parked in a grass area next door that is
technically located at 9659 Frankfort Road, Holland, Ohio. Electronic surveillance and physical
surveillance observed GARCIA meeting with MCLANE. Then at approximately 6:46 a.m.,
MCLANE was seen walking from behind the residence across the yard towards GARCIA’s
vehicle carrying a black bag. Surveillance then observed the two standing together with the
vehicle hatch closed and GARCIA departed a short time later. Agents observed as GARCIA
proceeded to a residence in Toledo and dropped off the black bag. A black bag consistent with
that GARCIA dropped off was recovered by agents at the residence later that day and found to
contain six kilogram-shaped packages identically wrapped to kilogram packages later found at
2012 Dodge pickup work truck with Illinois license plate 3188530B registered to MARQUEZ
arrived at 9490 Frankfort Road, the location where the flat-bed trailer was located. The driver
17. Based on the aforementioned information, on August 24, 2021, United States
Magistrate Judge Darrell A. Clay signed and authorized search warrants for the aforementioned
Holland properties. On August 24, 2021, those search warrants were executed resulting in the
seizure of approximately 30 kilograms of suspected cocaine and large amounts of bulk currency
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packaged kilograms of a substance consistent with cocaine at 615 N. Eber, (b) a money counter
at 9665 Frankfort where MCLANE had been observed moving boxes suspected to contain bulk
cash, (c) at 9651 Frankfort, a large sum of bulk cash (believed in your affiant’s training and
experience, very roughly, to total in excess of $250,000) as well as five kilograms of a substance
that may be cocaine (but was slightly off-color and will be subject to further testing), and (d) one
ounce of cocaine at 9490 Frankfort. Also at 9490 Frankfort, agents discovered a flat-bed trailer
with a natural void where multiple kilograms of narcotics could be secreted. The void had grease
present consistent with grease found on certain of the kilogram packages. Furthermore,
numerous kilogram packages had thin rope wrapped around them, which is a common method
used by drug traffickers to extract narcotics from a long horizontal void similar to what was
found in the flat-bed trailer. MCLANE was found at 9659 Frankfort (a lot containing a barn-like
18. Meanwhile, during the day on August 24, 2021, GARCIA traveled to Holland,
Michigan, based on wire and electronic intercepts of the Target Telephones in order to purchase
MARQUEZ has been ongoing. In particular, in an intercepted telephone call that took place on
August 22, 2021 at 1:17 p.m. with an unknown Mexican male, GARCIA expressed his
displeasure with MARQUEZ and the two discussed options on how to deal with MARQUEZ to
include kidnapping and killing him. This call was verified through a review of the pen register
data and was intercepted and recorded during the Title III intercept of Target Telephone #2. In
this conversation, which was in the Spanish language and translated to English, GARCIA stated
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about MARQUEZ, “I am going to tell one thing, it’s been a while since I got in trouble, but
when I’m mad, I will fucking kill people. I don’t care if they send me to jail, because I’m only
going to live so many years, but I will get paid, I will get paid which ever way I can. Or I will
screw it and run, let see if they catch me. I’m just telling you one thing, I will go all the way to
the tower and wait for him there. I will shoot him right there, I have one with a silencer and no
witness, no witness there.” In this conversation, GARCIA confessed his desire to kill
MARQUEZ and referred to going “all the way to the tower”. This was reference to an apartment
building MARQUEZ resides at in Chicago, Illinois. Finally, GARCIA stated he had “one with a
silencer,” which signified that GARCIA has a gun with a silencer attachment that he claimed he
20. Following the search warrant executions, on August 24, 2021, Judge Clay
authorized a search warrant for GARCIA’s residence, 717 Brighton Ave., Toledo, OH. Around
that same time, GARCIA drove back into Ohio from Michigan and was arrested. Following his
receipt of Miranda rights, GARCIA was informed of the search warrant and asked if there was
anything in his house that agents should be aware of. He stated he had a gun under his pillow and
about $30,000. Agents searched the house and found a loaded Hi-Point .380 pistol loaded with
Sig Sauer ammunition, as well as bulk cash appearing consistent with GARCIA’s statement that
it amounted to $30,000. Based on information and belief, Sig Sauer ammunition is not
possessed it in Toledo. GARCIA is a convicted felon and is not permitted to possess a firearm
and/or ammunition. GARCIA confirmed his phone numbers to investigators, which coincided
21. On August 25, 2021, MARQUEZ flew from Chicago to Detroit, and then was
picked up and driven to Ohio by the same Hispanic male, M.M.R., who had driven the 2012
Dodge pickup work truck with Illinois license plate 3188530B registered to MARQUEZ at 9490
Frankfort Road the day before. The two men drove by the Holland Target Locations, where they
were stopped by law enforcement and MARQUEZ was arrested. After the stop, M.M.R. stated
that he had flown from Dallas to Chicago days prior at MARQUEZ’s direction and then met
downtown. M.M.R. was instructed to drive the truck and three bags from Chicago to Toledo by
MARQUEZ. M.M.R. stated that he believed the two bags contained cash and one bag contained
documents relating to trailer purchase transactions. Today, he was asked by MARQUEZ to pick
him up at the airport and drive him back to the above-described locations.
CONCLUSION
22. The above establishes probable cause to believe that from in or around August of
2021, in the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, the Northern District of Illinois, and
MCLANE conspired together and with each other to possess with the intent to distribute and to
distribute a controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and
ammunition, both as a felon and in furtherance of drug trafficking in violation of Title 18, United
The information contained in this Affidavit is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief.
_____________________________
Special Agent Kurtis Jestes
Drug Enforcement Administration
25th
Sworn to via telephone on this ______ day of August, 2021
after submission by reliable electronic means.
Fed.R.Crim.P. 4.1 and 41(d)(3).
_________________________
Darrell A. Clay
U.S. Magistrate Judge
Northern District of Ohio