KC Reporter

Two Cass County, Mo., brothers, Serjio Diaz and Tony Diaz, have pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy and to illegally possessing firearms. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice, Serjio and Tony Diaz each admitted to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy with others that lasted from approximately January 1, 2019, until June 22, 2021.

During the investigation, it was revealed that multiple controlled transactions took place between Serjio and Tony Diaz and law enforcement. These transactions included the purchase of significant amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. In total, approximately 7,052.1 grams of methamphetamine, 6,036.5 grams of heroin, and 468.6 grams of cocaine were purchased from the Diaz brothers for approximately $243,900.

Upon their arrest on June 22, 2021, law enforcement officers found a substantial amount of illegal substances and firearms in the Diaz brothers' possession. Tony Diaz had in his residence 1,128 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine, and various firearms, while Serjio Diaz had approximately 8,942 grams of heroin, 166 grams of cocaine, and other illegal items.

Tony Diaz, who has a prior felony conviction, also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. As stated by the U.S. Department of Justice, under federal law, it is illegal for anyone with a felony conviction to be in possession of firearms or ammunition.

Co-defendant Maria Jasmin Lopez from Phoenix, Arizona, who was also involved in the drug-trafficking conspiracy, has already been sentenced to 11 years and two months in federal prison without parole. Another co-defendant, Vicente Aguilera from Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to use a communication facility to facilitate a drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Both Serjio and Tony Diaz now face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole, under federal statutes. Their sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors after a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith and was investigated by the FBI, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.