Owners of Springdale Body Shop Sentenced for Money Laundering, Drug Trafficking
By: News Release
Updated: October 19, 2012
The leaders of a drug trafficking organization have been sentenced for various violations of money laundering, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and immigration offenses, according to the Department of Justice.
Manuel Haro-Gutierrez, age 50, of the Dominican Republic and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 90 months imprisonment and fined $35,000; Gladis Haro, age 51, of Guatemala and residing in California, was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment and fined $25,000; Jania Haro, age 34 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release; Ivan Salan-Aguilar, age 49 and residing in California, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release; Victor Palacios, age 52 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment; Osiris Depaz-Ramirez, age
28 and residing in California, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment; and Manuel Haro Jr., age 24 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release.
On around May 13, 2011, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Rogers Police Department launched an investigation of a money laundering and drug trafficking organization with ties to the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, and the states of Arkansas, California, Pennsylvania, and New York. Through their investigation they discovered that Manuel Haro and his wife, Gladis Haro, were operating a multi-state organization and funneling the profits of their organization into various financial accounts based in Arkansas. The Haro family was operating a body shop in Springdale, Arkansas, named Haro Auto Repair and Paint and also had just opened the Rumba Room Night Club in Springdale. They used these businesses to launder the proceeds of their illicit activities. The defendants were arrested on December 15, 2011, and pleaded guilty on April 25, 2012.
According to documents filed in the case, the Haro family and their associates deposited approximately $315,000 of deposits comprised of United States Currency into their bank accounts. HSI investigators traced a bulk of the currency to the Los Angeles area where Gladis Haro was residing at the time and directed a cell of methamphetamine and crack cocaine dealers.
"This case indicates that we are serious about working together to investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations that put our communities in jeopardy by engaging in drug trafficking and other crimes," commented Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. "I appreciate the cooperation among local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring this case. We will continue to work together to identify,
investigate and prosecute criminal activity such as this, and ensure that our streets-in Springdale, and throughout the Western District-are safe."
Raymond R. Palmer Jr., the special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans field office, commented, "These defendants sought to hide the proceeds of drug trafficking by passing ill-gotten money through a seemingly legitimate business. Today's sentencing shows how HSI and its law enforcement partners work to penetrate and dismantle elaborate criminal enterprises that threaten the safety and security of our nation."
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Fayetteville, Arkansas Special Agents, 287g Task Force Officers, and the Rogers Police Department. The HSI New Orleans, HSI Fort Smith, HSI Los Angeles, Springdale Police Department, Washington County Sheriff's Office, West Convina Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency also assisted on this case. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
Manuel Haro-Gutierrez, age 50, of the Dominican Republic and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 90 months imprisonment and fined $35,000; Gladis Haro, age 51, of Guatemala and residing in California, was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment and fined $25,000; Jania Haro, age 34 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release; Ivan Salan-Aguilar, age 49 and residing in California, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release; Victor Palacios, age 52 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment; Osiris Depaz-Ramirez, age
28 and residing in California, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment; and Manuel Haro Jr., age 24 and residing in Springdale, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment with 2 years of supervised release.
On around May 13, 2011, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Rogers Police Department launched an investigation of a money laundering and drug trafficking organization with ties to the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, and the states of Arkansas, California, Pennsylvania, and New York. Through their investigation they discovered that Manuel Haro and his wife, Gladis Haro, were operating a multi-state organization and funneling the profits of their organization into various financial accounts based in Arkansas. The Haro family was operating a body shop in Springdale, Arkansas, named Haro Auto Repair and Paint and also had just opened the Rumba Room Night Club in Springdale. They used these businesses to launder the proceeds of their illicit activities. The defendants were arrested on December 15, 2011, and pleaded guilty on April 25, 2012.
According to documents filed in the case, the Haro family and their associates deposited approximately $315,000 of deposits comprised of United States Currency into their bank accounts. HSI investigators traced a bulk of the currency to the Los Angeles area where Gladis Haro was residing at the time and directed a cell of methamphetamine and crack cocaine dealers.
"This case indicates that we are serious about working together to investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations that put our communities in jeopardy by engaging in drug trafficking and other crimes," commented Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. "I appreciate the cooperation among local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring this case. We will continue to work together to identify,
investigate and prosecute criminal activity such as this, and ensure that our streets-in Springdale, and throughout the Western District-are safe."
Raymond R. Palmer Jr., the special agent in charge of the Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans field office, commented, "These defendants sought to hide the proceeds of drug trafficking by passing ill-gotten money through a seemingly legitimate business. Today's sentencing shows how HSI and its law enforcement partners work to penetrate and dismantle elaborate criminal enterprises that threaten the safety and security of our nation."
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Fayetteville, Arkansas Special Agents, 287g Task Force Officers, and the Rogers Police Department. The HSI New Orleans, HSI Fort Smith, HSI Los Angeles, Springdale Police Department, Washington County Sheriff's Office, West Convina Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency also assisted on this case. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Fowlkes prosecuted the case for the United States.
