Vallejo Meth Trafficking Ring Busted at Care Home: Guilty Verdicts and Severe Sentences Await
A man from Vallejo has been found guilty of running a methamphetamine trafficking operation from a care home he operated, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert. Following a six-day trial, Henry Benson, aged 42, was convicted of possessing and distributing meth, as well as a weapons charge.
The prosecution stated that Benson had been producing and selling thousands of meth-laced pills between January 2015 and his arrest in February 2019. Using a pill press, he manufactured pills that resembled popular Ecstasy tablets, featuring colorful and candy-like appearances such as cartoon characters and well-known logos including Tesla and Donald Trump’s likeness.
Working alongside Benson, his co-conspirator Rafael Ruiz sold thousands of these pills to an undercover agent. In February 2019, law enforcement authorities conducted a search at the backrooms of the Genesis Care Home for the Elderly on Lewis Avenue, which Benson operated with his wife Roselle Cipriano, the co-defendant in the case. During the search, agents discovered the pill press, pills, bags of powders, and other pill manufacturing-related items. A 12-gauge shotgun was also found along with additional pill presses in Benson’s storage unit.
Rafael Ruiz, having already pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer, conspiracy to commit robbery, and distribution of methamphetamine, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison.
As for Roselle Cipriano, aged 39, she has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine-laced pills. Both Cipriano and Benson are scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2024. If convicted, they face between ten years to life in federal prison, as well as a fine of $10 million for trafficking methamphetamine.
In addition, Benson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000 for possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
This case has shed light on a concerning operation that ran out of a care home, endangering the lives of the home’s residents and the wider community. Law enforcement agencies have acted swiftly to dismantle this meth trafficking ring and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The verdict and subsequent severe sentences in this case should serve as a warning to others involved in drug trafficking that law enforcement agencies will not tolerate such activities. The successful prosecution of this case demonstrates the commitment of authorities to protect communities from the dangers of drug-related crimes.
Going forward, it is crucial for law enforcement agencies and community members to remain vigilant to prevent similar operations from emerging. By working together, we can safeguard our neighborhoods and ensure the well-being of all residents.
