SOUTHERN COLORADO -- Law enforcement officials arrested 15 people Thursday in connection with a six-month long drug investigation.
Officials from the Salida Police Department, the Alamosa Police Department, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office and federal agencies assisted with the investigation, which began as prescription drug abuse.
Drug task force officials in Chaffee County got information about the abuse, which turned into illegal distribution and sale of prescription drugs, methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Officials said the suspects got the drugs from doctors and physicians and later sold them illegally in La Jara, Poncha Springs, Salida, Alamosa, Howard and Canon City.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation assisted with undercover officers, which proved to be a huge boost in gathering evidence.
The following people were arrested and charged:
Eric Luna, 22, resident of Chaffee County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 6 Felony
Anthony Luna, 25, resident of Chaffee County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Jennifer Rivera Lovato, 32, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Brenda Rivera Valdez, 20, resident of Chaffee County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Kenneth Muniz Sr., 57, resident of Fremont County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Shirley Ann Chavez, 52, resident of Fremont County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Tessa Eufemia Silva (aka “Famie”), 28, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Pamela Lynne Richardson, 52, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Leo Luna, 21, resident of Chaffee County.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Hollye Mitchell, 34, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Jeff Mitchell, 30, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Stella Ann Schimpf, 46, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Billy Darrel Webster, 39, San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
Savannah McDermott, 21,San Luis Valley resident.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance-Schedule II, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance II, Class 6 Felony
A 17-year-old boy was also arrested.