Juan Perez-Maldonado and Francisco Garcia Gomez, both undocumented immigrants from Mexico, were presented in federal court on June 4, 2025. They face charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Additionally, Garcia Gomez and Filemon Hernandez-Jijon are charged with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, "Our law enforcement partners worked swiftly to disrupt a suburban drug lab, seize numerous firearms, and arrest two illegal aliens allegedly responsible for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine." He emphasized the commitment to identifying and prosecuting criminals involved in drug trafficking.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, reiterated their focus: "DEA remains focused on keeping America safe and protecting the homeland from by removing dangerous drugs from our communities and bringing criminals to justice."
Court presentations revealed that on June 3, 2025, DEA agents observed Hernandez-Jijon allegedly supplying methamphetamine in Smyrna, Georgia. Subsequently, he was seen traveling to a mobile home in Marietta where later a search warrant was executed. Perez-Maldonado and Garcia Gomez were found at the scene while another person fled. The agents discovered an active laboratory producing crystal methamphetamine along with handguns and money remitter receipts linked to Garcia Gomez and Hernandez-Jijon.
Another search warrant led agents to an apartment in Smyrna where firearms and identification for Perez-Maldonado were found alongside equipment used for processing drugs.
The investigation uncovered that both Perez-Maldonado and Hernandez-Jijon had been deported previously. Hernandez-Jijon remains at large; authorities urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement.
The public is reminded that these charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is under investigation by the DEA with assistance from local law enforcement agencies including the Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna Narcotics Unit.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schwarzl and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebeca M. Ojeda are handling prosecution duties for this case which forms part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages parents and children to learn about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone as provided above.