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Vol. 78 No. 45
Inside This Week
Individuals indicted on drug trafficking, money laundering
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BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF ack on Sept. 28, a grand jury in Phoenix returned a 34-count indictment against nine individuals for drug trafficking and money laundering.
BUSINESS .... 12 Abrazo Arrowhead plans expansion for neonatal unit
SPORTS ........ 15 Deer Valley basketball looks to repeat successes
November 10, 2022
The individuals are as follows: • Yvette Porras-Ochoa, 40, of Wittmann. • Ricardo Ochoa, 41, of Mesa. • Kourtney Moore, 40, of Akron, Ohio. • George Martinez-Aviles, M.D., 55, of Peoria. • Vanessa Quijada, 36, of Phoenix. • Josefina Thomas, 57, of Glendale. • Angel Borunda, 26, of Odessa, Texas. • Ibis Efren Miranda Hernandez, 43, of Peoria. • Kristel Pimentel, 37, of Buckeye.
A 2021 investigation revealed that Martinez-Aviles, M.D.; Porras-Ochoa; Ochoa; Moore; Quijada; Thomas and Pimentel each conspired to distribute oxycodone knowingly and intentionally, and to distribute promethazine-codeine outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. In addition, Porras-Ochoa, Moore, Ochoa and Borunda each face additional charges for conspiring to distribute cocaine for profit. Lastly, Moore also faces additional charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Six of the defendants were also charged with related money laundering offenses. Over the course of this investigation, law enforcement officers seized cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, promethazine-co-
deine, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at justice. gov/OCDETF. SEE INDICTED PAGE 6
WESTMARC Best of the West winners spread announced
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OPINION............................8 BUSINESS.......................12 SPORTS ...........................14 CALENDAR .....................16 FEATURES.......................18 RELIGION ........................22 YOUTH.............................24 CLASSIFIEDS ..................25
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BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF ESTMARC, or the Western Maricopa Coalition, which is a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, the business community and the educational sector in the West Valley, recently held the 30th annual Best of the West Awards dinner. Winners were spread from numerous cities around the West Valley. Held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 27, the evening recognized the West Valley’s emerging leaders, investments and programs. WESTMARC recognized great programs positively impacting the region.
The categories were Excellence in Innovation, Economic Engine, Quality of Life Enhancement – Education, Quality of Life Enhancement – Community, and Quality of Life Enhancement — Education.
Excellence in Innovation
City of Peoria Police Department Training Academy
Economic Engine
Goodyear Civic Square – GSQ
Quality of Life Enhancement – Community Mission of Mercy Arizona
Quality of Life Enhancement – Education
• Northern Arizona University/Littleton and Tolleson Elementary • School District Partnership to Grow our Own Teachers In addition, the WESTMARC Board of Directors recognized projects and individuals that inspire leadership and advances the West Valley.
Inspiration in Leadership Award
Dr. Kathleen Geoppinger, Midwestern University
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SEE WESTMARC PAGE 4