Yellow Pages
SEATTLE — Four Burlington family members pleaded not guilty in a federal court Thursday to charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Jose Venegas, 33, his wife Nereyda Yasmin Perales, 26, and Venegas’ two brothers Javier Perales-Venegas, 40, and Juan Perales-Venegas, 34, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle July 2 following a drug deal with an undercover police officer, according to a U.S Attorney’s Office news release.
The four face numerous drug charges. The men are also charged with possession of a firearm during a drug transaction. If convicted, the men face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. Nereyda Perales faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison if convicted.
Officers began investigating the case in February. They bought cocaine from Jose Perales-Venegas on two occasions in February, then negotiated a larger sale of two kilos in April for $55,000, according to the news release.
All four defendants were arrested April 17. They were originally charged in Whatcom County Superior Court and later deferred for federal prosecution.
