Eight people were arrested Wednesday in connection with a federal investigation into weapon trafficking and cocaine distribution; six of them are accused of entering the country illegally.
The defendants named in the indictment include:
• Ivan Said Henriquez-Corea, 34, of St. Louis.
• Jose Edwardo Maldonado-Vargas, 21, also known as Oscar Rodriguez-Lopez, of St. Louis County.
• Manuel DeJesus Hernandez-Maldonado, 47, of St. Louis.
• Heber Marcelino Figueroa-Bardales, 27, of St. Louis.
• Edgar Cruz-Ramirez, 36, of St. Louis County.
• Thomas Allen Hull, 37, of Eureka.
• Maria Amabil Hernandez, 49, of St. Louis.
• Joan Hurtado-Jimenez, 31, of Maryland Heights.
The indictment charges Henriquez-Corea, Maldonado-Vargas, Hernandez-Maldonado, and Hernandez with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine, as well as multiple counts of distribution of cocaine. Henriquez-Corea, Cruz-Ramirez, Figueroa-Bardales, and Hull are also accused of illegally trafficking and unlawfully purchasing firearms for others in the nation.
Henriquez-Corea and Figueroa-Bardales have each been charged with illegally possessing a firearm in the United States. Maldonado-Vargas is charged with possessing a short-barreled gun. Figueroa-Bardales and Hurtado-Jimenez are both charged with one count of illegal re-entry into the United States.
Federal prosecutors are seeking the confiscation of seven handguns and five AR-style rifles recovered during the investigation.
According to court pleadings, federal investigators monitored or videotaped many cocaine transactions and at least six weapon sales from late 2025 to March. Some firearm sales involved AR-style pistols outfitted with large-capacity magazines. According to the detention request, Cruz-Ramirez purchased firearms through a straw purchaser and transferred them to an illegally present co-conspirator, who then dispersed the weapons.
According to other detention motions, Henriquez-Corea, Hernandez-Maldonado, Hernandez, Figueroa-Bardales, and Cruz-Ramirez are Honduran nationals who illegally entered the United States. Maldonado-Vargas, likewise from Honduras, has been identified as a valid permanent resident. Hurtado-Jimenez is defined as a Mexican citizen who is in the United States illegally.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and do not represent proof of guilt. Every defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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