Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to Cartel Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — A Mexican national living in Kansas City, Missouri, has pleaded guilty in federal court to providing material support to a cartel formally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization following a multi-agency Homeland Security Task Force investigation involving federal narcotics, counterterrorism, and organized crime enforcement operations.

Jose C. Valencia-Soriano, also identified in court records as Jose C. Soriano-Valencia, 34, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge D. Greg Kays to one federal count of providing material support to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization in violation of federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B(a)(1).

According to federal prosecutors, Valencia-Soriano admitted to knowingly supporting Cárteles Unidos, also known as United Cartels, a Michoacán, Mexico-based transnational criminal organization involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking operations and regional cartel violence.

Federal authorities stated the U.S. Department of State officially designated Cárteles Unidos as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity on Feb. 20, 2025, following findings that the organization engaged in terrorist activity under federal law and Executive Order 13224.

Court documents state that beginning on or around Feb. 20, 2025, and continuing through March 27, 2025, Valencia-Soriano knowingly provided material support and resources to the cartel, including financial proceeds, narcotics processing activity, and operational assistance tied to methamphetamine distribution inside the United States.

Federal investigators stated Valencia-Soriano obtained large shipments of methamphetamine from cartel members operating in Mexico, with the narcotics allegedly concealed within liquid solutions during transportation.

According to prosecutors, Valencia-Soriano extracted crystal methamphetamine from the liquid mixtures, prepared the narcotics for distribution, sold the drugs for profit, and participated in moving proceeds generated through U.S.-based narcotics trafficking back to cartel-linked operations in Mexico.

Federal authorities stated cartel proceeds were allegedly used to fund the acquisition of high-powered weaponry, armed operatives, mercenary-style personnel, and violent criminal operations connected to the organization.

Court filings further state the cartel’s activities contributed to civilian, military, and law enforcement casualties tied to organized cartel violence in Mexico.

On Feb. 25, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at Valencia-Soriano’s residence within the Western District of Missouri.

According to investigators, law enforcement personnel recovered approximately 102 pounds of crystal methamphetamine alongside roughly 460 pounds of methamphetamine mixtures still suspended in liquids awaiting further processing.

Authorities additionally stated investigators located two separate narcotics processing areas operating inside the residence.

Federal agents also recovered three firearms during the search, including two 5.56-caliber rifles, as well as more than $48,000 in bulk cash allegedly tied to narcotics trafficking proceeds intended for transfer back to cartel operations in Mexico.

United States Attorney R. Matthew Price stated the guilty plea reflects the seriousness of providing support to organizations designated under federal terrorism statutes.

“Jose C. Valencia-Soriano’s guilty plea reflects the seriousness of conduct that involved providing support to a foreign terrorist organization,” Price stated. “Actions of this nature threaten the safety of American citizens and the national security of the United States.”

Federal prosecutors stated Valencia-Soriano faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole under federal statutes governing material support to terrorist organizations.

Authorities stated sentencing will occur following completion of a presentence investigation conducted by the United States Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean Foley.

Federal authorities stated the investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI Kansas City and St. Louis Field Offices, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations Knoxville, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement task force, and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Federal officials stated the prosecution additionally forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

According to federal authorities, the Homeland Security Task Force framework was developed to coordinate interagency enforcement efforts targeting transnational criminal organizations, cartel operations, human trafficking networks, foreign gangs, narcotics smuggling activity, and organized criminal enterprises operating both within the United States and internationally.

The task force structure combines investigative resources from federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, United States Marshals Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Federal officials stated Homeland Security Task Force operations place particular emphasis on dismantling violent cartel-linked operations, financial support networks, narcotics trafficking chains, arms distribution pipelines, and criminal organizations tied to cross-border violence and organized transnational crime.

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