A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging 11 individuals connected to a transnational drug trafficking organization tied to a Mexican cartel with drug distribution and kidnapping offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, announced on March 21, 2025.
The conspiracy allegedly began in July 2023 and continued through January 2025, with the individuals involved in trafficking methamphetamine from Mexico to the Twin Cities using the U.S. mail and vehicles. The indictment highlights a dangerous international operation with widespread implications for both local communities and law enforcement.
The case took a violent turn in January 2025 when four co-defendants allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a victim in St. Paul, Minnesota, over an unpaid drug debt owed to a cartel leader in Mexico. According to the U.S. attorney’s office, the victim was physically assaulted, beaten, chained to a pole, and held against their will. The cartel leader allegedly gave specific instructions for the assault, with a message sent via a messaging app stating, “You are breaking his hands. Break them good.”
The defendants face a range of serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, kidnapping, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The individuals indicted in this case are as follows:
Richar Sanchez Mujica (30) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to kidnap; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Donovan Rey Lopez (21, Minneapolis) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Erling Soren Holdahl (48) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to kidnap.
Dostin Elizander Ortiz-Garcia (29, Burnsville) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Jonathan Salvador Juarez-Ferrer (25, Minneapolis) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Timothy Duane Ripley (45) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to kidnap.
Kendra Sue Johnson (39) – Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to kidnap.
In the indictment, authorities outline the disturbing nature of the crimes, detailing the cartel’s use of violence and threats to enforce its control over the drug trade. The case also underscores the growing problem of transnational crime syndicates operating within the U.S., using local networks to distribute dangerous drugs and intimidate those who owe money to cartel members.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are committed to dismantling these dangerous drug trafficking organizations. The indictment is a significant step in the continued efforts to combat the rise of drug trafficking and the associated violence that plagues many communities across the United States.
This case highlights the importance of federal law enforcement collaboration and the role of local law enforcement agencies in addressing organized crime in both urban and rural areas. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could assist in further investigations.
The defendants will appear in federal court to face these serious charges, and if convicted, they could face significant prison sentences.
For anyone with information related to this investigation or similar criminal activities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages contact with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The case also serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of organized crime and the constant need for vigilance in protecting communities from the dangers of drug trafficking and associated violence.
