United States of America v. Sergio Magallan-Tinoco, a/k/a “John Migo”

Charleston, South Carolina criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possession with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

Mexican Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charge

Sergio Magallan-Tinoco, a/k/a "John Migo,” 45, of Michoacan, Mexico, was charged with possession with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.



Evidence presented to the court showed that in the Fall of 2023, law enforcement in the Upstate conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from Magallan-Tinoco. Law enforcement later obtained a search warrant for Magallan-Tinoco's residence, locating additional fentanyl and cocaine, along with a money counter, scales, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun. Magallan-Tinoco was found to be responsible for trafficking 20 kilograms of cocaine. Magallan-Tinoco has a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.



United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Magallan Tinoco to 180 months imprisonment to be followed by a five year term of supervised release. A $400,000 forfeiture judgment was also issued against him. There is no parole in the federal system.



This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.



This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Greenville County Sheriff's Office, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in federal prison