Evergreen Reporter

Sergio Magallan-Tinoco, also known as "John Migo," has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm possession. The 45-year-old from Michoacan, Mexico, was found guilty of possessing over five kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the crime.

In the fall of 2023, law enforcement in the Upstate conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from Magallan-Tinoco. A search warrant executed at his residence uncovered additional drugs, a money counter, scales, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun. Authorities determined he was responsible for trafficking 20 kilograms of cocaine. He 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 followed by five years of supervised release. Additionally, a $400,000 forfeiture judgment was issued against him. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF aims to identify and dismantle high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations using a multi-agency approach that combines federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts.

The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force, 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.