Carreon indicted for second-degree murder during massive drug bust

An alleged drug trafficker who tried to run over lawmen during a drug sting has been hit with more charges while his entire drug cartel was hit with indictments charging the illegal immigrants for their parts in an international meth smuggling ring.

The alleged head of the drug ring, Julian Carreon, was indicted by the Warren County grand jury on three counts of attempted second-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault for allegedly trying to run down Sheriff’s Lt. Jody Cavanaugh and deputy Robert Patterson, along with the sheriff’s son, investigator Jackie Matheny Jr., as they tried to stop him and a co-conspirator from leaving the parking lot of Kat’s Diner in Centertown where lawmen had just bought over three pounds of Ice, a pure form of methamphetamine.

The indictments come as four of the seven-member cartel, most of whom are related to one another, have already been taken into custody on federal drug smuggling charges where they face 20 years to life given the large amounts of drugs involved.

Those in federal custody include Juan Antonio Palacious, Julian Carreon, Oscar Carreon and Emilio Estrada. They each also face local drug dealing charges as well as the other three members of the cartel, Jesus Carreon, Jorge Rodriguez and Maria Del Romero, who remain held locally. Prosecutors are following up on charges against all seven as they could be convicted in both state and federal courts for the illegal drug smuggling operation.

All seven of the suspects, lawmen say, are illegally in the country, with Julian Carreon having already been deported in the past, meaning he could see five more years added to any term he receives.

During a recent preliminary hearing, it was learned undercover officers made several drug buys from various members of the drug cartel, purchasing several ounces at a time until a deal was hatched to buy three pounds for $72,000. It was on that day officers moved in to arrest all seven of the suspects who had come to the diner parking lot, taking five into custody peacefully. However, Carreon reportedly tried to make a fast getaway, nearly hitting the three officers with his vehicle as lawmen opened fire slightly wounding his passenger. The men were caught moments later after they bailed out of their disabled vehicle in a nearby subdivision.

All seven suspects were originally charged with attempted murder for the incident. However, the charge was only upheld against Carreon since he was driving the getaway vehicle when it nearly ran over the officers.

While being hit with charges for each officer he tried to run down, the severity of the count was decreased from attempted first-degree murder, which carries 15 to 25 years, to attempted second-degree murder, which carries eight to 12 years.