Transnational Gangs

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces New Multi-Agency Task Force Targeting Drug Gangs in the Central Valley

April 7, 2011
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

TULARE – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the creation of a multi-agency gang task force in the Central Valley. The task force includes representatives from the California Department of Justice, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Tulare Sheriff’s Department and the Visalia, Porterville and Tulare police departments. It will focus on investigating and arresting criminal gang members.

“With the creation of this task force, the Department of Justice is better positioned to assist and support Central Valley law enforcement as they strive to combat criminal gangs that are gaining footholds in local jurisdictions. These criminals operate without respect to city and county boundaries and it’s incumbent upon us to combine our efforts to defeat them,” Attorney General Harris said. “In light of the state’s budget crisis, greater collaboration between state and local law enforcement agencies also makes sound fiscal sense.”

The creation of the task force is part of the Attorney General’s broader effort to use the weight of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to convene and support local law enforcement in combating transnational gangs throughout the state. Attorney General Harris made the announcement during the first in a series of region-by-region zone meetings attended by members of the law enforcement community from Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.

As part of the Central Valley zone meeting, DOJ experts provided training on criminal gangs, as well as new technology using familial DNA to solve crimes. The presentation also included a discussion of a special DOJ Armed and Prohibited Persons program (APPS) that collaborates with local law enforcement to seize handguns and assault weapons from those people banned by law from possessing them. Since the statewide APPS sweeps began last month, agents have confiscated 735 guns from individuals deemed mentally unstable and dangerous.

Attorney General Harris presented awards to 11 individuals in recognition of their deep commitment to serving and protecting their communities. The awardees included sworn officers who displayed uncommon bravery and ingenuity, as well as committed citizen-volunteers.

Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman hosted today’s meeting.

“We are honored to host the inaugural zone meeting here in Tulare County,” said Sheriff Wittman. “We greatly appreciate the Attorney General’s attention to the needs of local law enforcement and look forward to a strong partnership with the Department of Justice.”

The Tulare County Multi-Agency Gang Task Force will be staffed by agents from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and its Bureau of Firearms, as well as officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Visalia Police Department, the Porterville Police Department, the Tulare Police Department and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

The new task force is a continuation of the Attorney General’s statewide effort to fight transnational gangs, from street level crimes to major international conspiracies. Last month, Attorney General Harris visited the California-Mexico border to announce the addition of four DOJ special agents to a multi-agency gang task force in Imperial County. (http://oag.ca.gov/news/press_release?id=2063)

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Joins State Leaders to Tour Border and Explore Multi-Agency Crackdown on Transnational Gangs

March 24, 2011
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

IMPERIAL – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced today the addition of four Department of Justice special agents to a multi-agency task force in Imperial County that targets the activities of transnational gangs, from street level crime to major international conspiracies.

“Violent gangs don’t respect borders any more than they respect the law,” Attorney General Harris said, “but the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have already made great strides in combating gang-related crimes along the border. My office is committed to doing whatever it takes to protect the citizens of California from gang violence and drug-running.”

Organized gangs represent a serious public safety threat in California and their crimes – from drug dealing to gun violence to premeditated murder – reverberate throughout the state.

Attorney General Harris and more than 20 other state leaders came together today to discuss border violence and new opportunities to collaborate in the fight against drug gangs. The group included members of the law enforcement community, federal and state legislators, elected district attorneys, a US attorney, and a representative from the California Department of Corrections.

Along with a tour of the California-Mexico border and a drug smuggling tunnel, the group convened at the Law Enforcement Coordination Center in the town of Imperial. Founded in 1994 in a mobile home trailer, the Center today occupies a 20,000-square-foot facility staffed by more than 100 representatives of local, state and federal agencies.

The chair of the task force, Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero, hosted today’s tour and roundtable discussion.

The attorney general tapped four Department of Justice agents to join the task force, including Special Agent Supervisor Javier Salaiz. Special Agent Salaiz, an expert on border and transnational gang issues, led the recent investigation into a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by a Tijuana drug cartel. The would-be victims – five family members – were said to have owed money to the drug cartel. The individuals who arranged the foiled murder-for-hire plot were arrested last month in Palmdale. http://oag.ca.gov/news/press_release?id=2038&

Attorney General Harris is committed to supporting the cooperative efforts of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies to defeat the drug gangs that spill over the border into California.

Photographs from today's event are available on the version of this press release found at ag.ca.gov.

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Suspects Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot Commissioned by Mexican Drug Cartel

February 17, 2011
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

PALMDALE – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced the arrest today of three suspects in a foiled murder-for-hire plot commissioned by a Tijuana drug cartel.

Dozens of special agents from the California Department of Justice armed with a search warrant conducted the early morning raid at a residence in Palmdale, California.

Arrested there without incident at 6:50 a.m. were Jorge Ernesto Sillas-Rocha, 27, and Victor Manuel Magana Gonzalez, 24, for conspiracy and murder-for-hire. Agents also seized two AR-15 assault weapons, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and an estimated $20,000 in cash.

Agents later arrested Daniel Ceballos, 34, at a Starbuck’s coffee shop in Palmdale.

Also to be charged in the case is Juan Francisco Sillas-Rocha, 33, known as “Ruedas,” who is a lieutenant in the Tijuana cartel called the Arrellano Felix Organization, a vicious gang of drug traffickers responsible for violent murders in Mexico.

“This case sends a message to the border drug cartels trying to do business here: Justice will be swift and certain when you cross into California,” Attorney General Harris said. “I applaud our agents and law enforcement partners for their good work in uncovering and thwarting this murder-for-hire plot.”

Ruedas Sillas-Rocha was identified by investigators as soliciting individuals to assassinate victims in California who owed the cartel large sums of money. Ruedas Sillas-Rocha directed these individuals to carry out the murder of five family members in a simulated home-invasion robbery. Ruedas Sillas-Rocha was willing to pay the would-be assassins thousands of dollars for committing the murders.

Earlier this month, agents with the Department of Justice received information about a possible murder-for-hire plot targeting victims who reside in California and who have ties to the Arrellano Felix Cartel. The targeted victims were said to have owed the cartel a large sum of money, believed to be the proceeds from drug sales. Agents used sophisticated investigative techniques to track the suspects to Palmdale, northeast of Los Angeles.

The investigation also implicated Fernando Sanchez Arrellano, the boss of the Arrellano Felix Cartel, in the California murder-for-hire plot. That investigation is ongoing.

Jorge Ernesto Sillas-Rocha, Gonzalez, and Ceballos are being held in the San Diego County Jail. They will be prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney, who is also expected to issue a warrant for Ruedas Sillas-Rocha’s arrest.

Brown Announces Arrests of Violent Gang Members Who Took Orders from Imprisoned Gang Leaders, and Calls for Action to End Cell Phone Communication from Prison

August 31, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

OAKLAND — Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today a major takedown of key members of the Nuestra Familia gang who commit murders and other violent crimes “orchestrated in prison” by gang leaders using cell phones.

As part of an operation code-named “Street Sweeper,” a joint task force of 250 state and local law enforcement agents led by Brown’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement concluded a year-long series of arrests attacking the hierarchy of prison gangs. Today in Visalia and surrounding areas, agents arrested 34 gang members, including four local gang leaders. Five other Nuestra Familia leaders were incarcerated in earlier operations.

“Operation Street Sweeper represents a big step forward in reducing vicious street crimes orchestrated in prison by the Nuestra Familia hierarchy,” Brown said. “Today’s operation has stripped the dangerous Nuestra Familia gang of key managers who carry out orders from its imprisoned leaders.”

Launched in Folsom Prison in 1968, Nuestra Familia is one of seven prison gangs in the state. Through top-down leadership, Nuestra Familia controls illegal activities inside several prisons, as well as most of the Nortenos gangs who operate in central California from Yuba City to Bakersfield and from Salinas to the Sierra foothills.

With a sombrero resting on a dagger as its symbol, Nuestra Familia is believed to have hundreds of members inside state prisons, tens of thousands in communities and many more associates, according to gang investigators.

Three gang leaders serving life sentences direct Nuestra Familia activities from inside Pelican Bay’s Security Housing Unit, also known as the “SHU,” which isolates prisoners 24 hours a day. While such confinement places some limits on the gang’s ability to communicate, gang leaders are still able to direct gang members on the streets through cell phones smuggled into the prison.

“In addition to arresting street gang leaders through efforts like Operation Street Sweeper,” Brown said, “we must cut imprisoned gang leaders’ ability to communicate with cell phones by blocking that communication through an electronic net over Pelican Bay.”

Sophisticated technology exists to jam cell phones, even selectively, within prisons, but federal law must be changed to allow that to happen. The “Safe Prisons Communications Act” has passed the Senate, and a companion bill by Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas is in committee in the House. Brown called on members of the House to approve this legislation, which is essential to cracking down on one of California’s most feared prison gangs.

Gang violence has recently spiked in Central Valley communities. So far this year, Visalia’s serious gang-related murders, assaults and drive-by shootings have doubled compared to the same period last year.

“History was made today in Visalia,” said Colleen Mestas, chief of the Visalia Police Department. She thanked the 300 officers from 20 law enforcement agencies that took part in the operation. “With their help, our police department has been able to make an impact on our local gang crime.”

Other law enforcement agencies that assisted with today’s operation are the Central Valley Regional SWAT team, Delano Police Department, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas - Central Valley and Southern Tri County, Kings County Sheriff’s Department, Madera County Gang Enforcement Task Force, Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team, Porterville Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Tulare Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and Visalia Police Department.

Brown Announces Arrests of More Than 50 Gang Members in Northern California

June 3, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

YUBA CITY — Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that narcotics agents of the Department of Justice and local law enforcement officials arrested 59 gang members, including one who bootstrapped his way from foot soldier to local commander by committing or ordering murders.

In sweeps today, agents arrested 33 gang members and seized 24 firearms in five Northern California counties as part of “Operation Crimson Tide.” The operation was conducted by more than 300 law enforcement agents in Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, Colusa and Stanislaus Counties and involved more than 30 search warrants.

“Tragically, those arrested today chose to join dangerous gangs that deal in meth and murder,” Brown said. “By removing them from society, we are disrupting their criminal activities and making the people of Northern California safer.”

In January, agents from the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and a task force of local law enforcement officials initiated Operation Crimson Tide by targeting gangs in and around Yuba and Sutter Counties.

After extensive investigative work, DOJ agents and task force members uncovered a well-organized methamphetamine distribution network, involving large amounts of methamphetamine smuggled into the United States from Mexico. The investigation also helped solve four homicides of Surenos gang members and resulted in the arrests of 26 Nortenos gang members and several associates.

Last month, agents arrested Robert Juan Salazar, 24, for the March 2004 murder of a Surenos gang leader as he sat in his car with his six-year-old nephew. In the view of law enforcement, that began Salazar’s climb up the organizational ladder of the local Nortenos gang, which included ordering murders of rival gang members in April and December 2004 and July 2005. Salazar is being held without bail in Sutter County Jail on murder charges.

Over the course of the operation, DOJ agents and task force members were able to prevent one murder, two stabbings, two shootings, as well as arrest two wanted fugitive gang members and two gang members on murder charges. Prior to today’s enforcement action, Operation Crimson Tide led to the seizure of more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine, two handguns and two sawed-off shotguns. An additional 24 weapons and more than 11 pounds of illegal drugs were seized today.

All 59 arrestees (including the 33 arrested today) will be prosecuted by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office in one comprehensive gang prosecution case. All 30 search warrants were issued by the Sacramento County Superior Court. The cold-case homicide cases are being prosecuted by the Sutter County District Attorney’s Office.

Charges include distribution and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, firearms violations and murder.

The California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and the Yuba/Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Team led today’s operation. Participating agencies include:

Butte County Sheriff’s Department
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California Highway Patrol
Colusa County Sheriff’s Department
Marysville Police Department
Modesto Police Department
Nevada County Sheriff’s Department
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
Sacramento Police Department
Sutter County Probation Department
Sutter County Sheriff’s Department
Yuba City Police Department
Yuba County Probation Department
Yuba County Sheriff’s Department

$1.5 Million in Methamphetamine and Cocaine Seized in Undercover Drug Bust

April 30, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from his office seized $1.5 million worth of drugs, including 79 pounds of methamphetamine and 11 pounds of cocaine, $30,000 in cash and eight firearms in another successful drug bust in Southern California Thursday night.

Ramon Salazar Camargo, 33, and his accomplice, Jesus Lopez, 21, were arrested Thursday night and are being held in Los Angeles County Jail on $3 million bail each.

“Little by little, bust by bust, we are sending the message to drug dealers that we are not going to allow them to operate in California,” Brown said. “We will track down, arrest and prosecute these criminals vigorously and relentlessly.”

Thursday’s arrests and seizures are the result of a successful “buy bust” operation conducted by agents from Brown’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE). Camargo and Lopez were arrested after negotiating a drug deal and delivering 20 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover agents in the parking lot of a Bell Gardens strip mall. After the initial seizure, officers executed a search warrant on a Los Angeles residence kept as a “stash house” where they seized additional methamphetamine, cocaine, firearms and currency.

Agencies involved in Thursday’s operation included Brown’s BNE Major Narcotics and Violence Team, Imperial County Narcotic Task Force, and Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police and Crime Task Force.

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Brown Announces Seizure of 200 Pounds Of Methamphetamine and Heroin

April 29, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that state narcotics agents seized 119 pounds of ice methamphetamine and 85 pounds of heroin in two separate operations in Southern California last night.

The two drug busts by Brown’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement also netted two pounds of cocaine and more than $33,000 in cash. Three suspects are in custody: Marco Alejo, 44, of Moreno Valley, Jorge Gonzalez, 39, of Torrance, and Sarah Magdalena Altamirano, 40, of Torrance.

“We’ve been fighting to keep dangerous, addictive drugs like methamphetamine and heroin off our streets,” said Brown. “Last night’s drug busts send another unequivocal message that California will do everything it can to arrest and lock up these callous purveyors of death and addiction.”

In last night’s raids, agents served a search warrant at 1507 South Palmetto Street in Ontario. During the subsequent search, agents discovered 81 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a closet in an upstairs bedroom. Marco Alejo was seen leaving the residence and was later detained by police and placed under arrest.

A few hours later, agents placed a home at 1018 West 223rd Street in Torrance under surveillance. When Jorge Gonzalez and his wife, Sarah Magdalena Altamirano, left the home in a pick-up truck, investigators followed. Officers stopped and searched their vehicle, discovering a suitcase containing 39 cellophane-wrapped one-pound packages of brown powder heroin. Both Gonzalez and his wife Altamirano were arrested.

Investigators then searched their residence and found approximately 46 pounds of black tar heroin, 38 pounds of ice methamphetamine, 2 pounds of cocaine and more than $33,000 in cash.

Alejo, Gonzalez and Altamirano are being held on $1 million bail.

State agents were joined in the raids by the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A. IMPACT), Ontario Police Department, Pomona Police Department and California Highway Patrol.

Brown Announces Major Gang Takedown in Salinas

April 22, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

SALINAS – Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that more than 200 agents from his Gang Suppression Enforcement Program and other law enforcement agencies today arrested 37 members of two vicious gangs responsible for a rampage of violence -- including more than three dozen murders and 200 shootings -- that terrorized the citizens of Salinas and nearby areas.

Today’s mass arrests was the culmination of an eight-month operation, code-named “Operation Knockout,” aimed at apprehending members of the Norteños and Sureños gangs that turned Salinas into a hub of murder, robbery and drug dealing.

The operation targeted the most dangerous gang leaders in the Salinas area. In addition to the arrests made today, agents seized 40 pounds of cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, nine ounces of methamphetamine, $34,000 in cash, and 12 guns. An additional 57 arrests were made before today’s sweep.

“Operation Knockout was designed to restore safety to the streets of Salinas,” said Brown. “Citizens in John Steinbeck’s hometown deserve better than having to endure a violent crime rate that’s three times the national average. We owed it to the people of Salinas to arrest these out-of-control gang members and ensure a heightened sense of personal security throughout the city.”

Some 44 state and federal search warrants were served throughout Salinas, San Jose and other areas of Monterey County. Today’s arrests dealt a major blow to the Norteños and Sureños, two of Monterey County’s largest gangs, who are major distributors of powder cocaine, rock cocaine, and crystal methamphetamine throughout the county and are linked to dozens of homicides and shootings.

Brown also announced today that he has formed a task force to maintain today’s crackdown against drugs and major crimes. The Monterey County Narcotic and Violence Task Force will be overseen by the California Department of Justice and will include the California Highway Patrol, Marina Police Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey Police Department, Salinas Police Department and Seaside Police Department.

In 2008 and 2009, there were 55 homicides in the city of Salinas. Based on the city’s population of 148,000, its violent crime rate was more than three times the national average. Only two of the 55 homicides were unrelated to gang violence. During this same reporting period, there were more than 200 reported shootings related to gang violence.

To combat the violence permeating the city, Brown deployed his Gang Suppression agents to work with the Salinas Police Department in a proactive approach to the gang problem. Special Agents identified the key gang leaders and created a complex investigative plan intended to make a significant impact on violent crime in the city. During the investigation, agents determined that much of the violence stemmed from a struggle between the Norteños and Sureños street gangs within Salinas over turf dominance, and more significantly, over control of illicit drug trafficking. The gangs ruled through intimidation and violence.

“Today’s operation has been a masterpiece of cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Salinas Police Chief Louis Fetherolf. “Today is day-one of Judgment Day!”

Today’s arrests come in addition to 57 prior arrests during the eight-month operation. Over the course of the investigation, agents identified a large cocaine and methamphetamine distribution group that was controlled by Norteños gang members operating in Salinas. The illegal drugs were supplied by Mexican drug-trafficking organizations.

More than 200 state, local and federal law enforcement personnel participated in today’s operation. The Attorney General’s Gang Suppression Enforcement Program is part of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

Other law enforcement agencies that assisted with today’s operation included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; California Highway Patrol; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Monterey County District Attorney’s Office; Monterey County Sheriff’s Department; Salinas Police Department; United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Brown Anuncia Convicciones de 31 Miembros Pandilleros de la Mafia Mexicana por Extorsión y una Célula de Trafico de Drogas

March 26, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
El Centro, Calif. –En un 'golpe fatal' a una de las más extensas, organizada y violenta extorsión y operaciones de tráfico de drogas en la historia del Condado de Imperial, el Procurador General Edmund G. Brown Jr. hoy anunció la prosecución exitosa de 31 miembros de una célula de la Mafia mexicana.

Al principio de esta semana, el líder de la célula, Patricio Rafael Ponce, de 44 años, del Condado de Imperial, se declaró culpable de drogas, armas, secuestro y cargos de extorsión, el siendo el último de los 31 miembros de la pandilla a declararse culpable de los cargos presentados por la oficina de Brown. La convicción final concluye la “Operación Gangland,” que comenzó en el 2005 y últimamente cerró una célula mayor de la Mafia mexicana que era desparramada por los Condados de Imperial y de San Diego.

“Esta célula de la Mafia mexicana fue una de la mas violentas de extorsión y redes de trafico de drogas por la región fronteriza de California que jamás se ha visto,” dijo Brown. “Con las convicciones de todos los 31 miembros de la pandilla, nosotros hemos mandado un golpe fatal a su empresa criminal y ellos pasarán un tiempo muy largo, largo en la prisión.”

Originalmente acusados en agosto del 2007, los miembros de la pandilla han colectivamente sido sentenciados a más de 200 años en la prisión.

En el 2005, los oficiales de la Oficina del Procurador General de California, el Departamento de California de Corrección y Rehabilitación, la Administración de Ejecución de Droga de los Estados Unidos, la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas y Explosivos y la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Imperial formaron la Agrupación de Fuerzas contra el Crimen Organizado de Drogas para investigar las actividades criminales de la Mafia mexicana.

La investigación descubrió una droga esparcida de contrabando y operación de extorsión dirigida por el líder de la célula de la Mafia mexicana Patricio Ponce. La célula utilizó a 'recaudadores de impuestos' en El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Heber, Holtville, Calipatria, y Niland para extorsionar fondos de cualquier persona trabajando en actividad ilegal, sea como la venta de droga o contrabando de inmigrantes. Los que se negaban o fallaban en pagar eran atacados por los encargados de hacer cumplir por parte de Ponce. Los 'impuestos' se dividían entre el miembro pandillero que hacia la colección, Ponce y otros líderes de la pandilla.

Adicionalmente, Ponce manejaba una operación de heroína y trafico de metanfetamina, distribuyendo y vendiendo narcóticos a través de la región. Ponce ordenó a miembros de la pandilla que mantenían órdenes de detención sobresalientes a entregarse a los oficiales con el fin de que el contrabando ilegal que estaba oculto en estos individuos pudiera ser contrabado a la Cárcel del Condado de Imperial. Los miembros de la pandilla atacaban a cualquier persona que fallara en llevar a cabo las órdenes.

Sobre el curso de la investigación, los agentes capturaron a Ponce en interceptación de la línea telefónica ordenando asaltos, fijando las tasas de extorsión y arreglando las ventas de droga.

Tras la investigación, la oficina de Brown ayudó al Fiscal del distrito del Condado de Imperial, Gilberto G. Otero, en la preparación del caso contra la pandilla. En agosto del 2007, el caso fue presentado ante el gran jurado penal del Condado de San Diego, que regresó 46-cargos de acusación contra los 31 miembros de la célula. Sobre los últimos dos años y medio, la oficina de Brown ha enjuiciado exitosamente a 31 miembros de la pandilla, incluyendo:

- Patrick Ralph Ponce ('Pato'), 44, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de secuestro; dos cargos de extorsión; vendiendo metanfetamina y suministrar una arma de fuego a un delincuente y se espera que sea sentenciado a 22 años en la prisión estatal;
- Marc Anthony Villaseñor ('Joker'), 31, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de asalto causando gran daños al cuerpo; vendiendo heroína; y asalto con arma mortal y fue sentenciado a 20 años y 8 meses en la prisión estatal.
- Raúl Antonio Cruz, Jr. ('Jr.'), 33, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de asalto con arma de fuego; tres cargos de extorsión; y tres cargos de suministrar armas de fuego a un delincuente y fue sentenciado a 16 años en la prisión estatal;
- Ezequiel Ernesto Rodríguez ('Neto'), 39, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable a extorsión y admitió cargar una arma de fuego durante un crimen de la pandilla y fue sentenciado a 15 años en la prisión estatal;
- Victorianao Ortiz ('Cyco'), 30, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de asalto con una arma mortal y fue sentenciado a 14 años en la prisión estatal;
- Raúl Vega Mejía ('Pollo'), 37, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable a dos cargos de intentar a cometer extorsión; dos cargos de extorsión; ocultar y llevar una arma de fuego en un vehículo; y por ser un delincuente en posesión de una arma de fuego y fue sentenciado a 13 años en la prisión estatal;
- Gabriel Anthony Valles ('Güero'), 47, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de asalto con una arma mortal y admitió llevar una arma de fuego durante un crimen pandillero y fue sentenciado a 9 años en la prisión estatal;
- Marco Araujo, 54, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspiración a vender heroína y tres cargos de vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 9 años en la prisión estatal;
- Juan Antonio Hornback ('Duke'), 31, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 9 años en la prisión estatal;
- José Manuel Zepeda, 31, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar y cometer extorsión y extorsión y fue sentenciado a 9 años en la prisión estatal;
- Víctor Ruby ('Outlaw'), 38, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de asalto para causar gran daños al cuerpo y fue sentenciado a 8 años en la prisión estatal;
- David Páez Martínez ('Deebo'), 32, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de extorsión; dos cargos de intentar a cometer extorsión; asalto con una arma de fuego; y por ser un delincuente en posesión de una arma de fuego y fue sentenciado a 7 años en la prisión estatal;
- Luis Héctor Muñoz ('Clepto'), 30, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a cometer extorsión y extorsión y fue sentenciado a 7 años en la prisión estatal;
- Gerardo Robles ('Gerry'), 29, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable a conspirar a vender heroína y vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 7 años en la prisión estatal;
- José Espinoza ('Chuck'), 26, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable a extorsión; recibir propiedad robada y en posesión de un arma de fuego y fue sentenciado 6 años y 4 meses en la prisión estatal;
- Jaime Alejandro Pérez ('Beef'), 26, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de intentar a extorsionar y se espera que sea sentenciado a 6 años en la prisión estatal;
- Jorge Cuevas Mendoza ('Twinx'), 25, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 5 años en la prisión estatal;
- Antonio Padilla ('Kasper'), 34, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 4 años en la prisión estatal;
- Refugio Castellanos Servin, 43, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 4 años en la prisión estatal;
- Manuel Estrada Solarez ('Chile'), 54, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 4 años en la prisión estatal;
- Juan Cordero ('Pollo'), 31, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 3 años en la prisión estatal;
- Max Ponce, Jr. ('Mad Max'), 53, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 3 años en la prisión estatal;
- Anthony Edward Favela ('Shadow'), 37, del Condado de San Diego, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciado a 3 años en la prisión estatal;
- Judy Ann Huerta, 29, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender heroína y fue sentenciada a 3 años en la prisión estatal;
- Brian Mark Smith ('Dusty'), 34, del Condado de San Diego, quien se declaró culpable de suministrar una arma de fuego a un delincuente y fue sentenciado a 2 años en la prisión estatal;
- Joe Alberto Tamayo ('Drak'), 36, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de extorsión y fue sentenciado a 2 años en la prisión estatal;
- Rudy Raymond Ferrel, Jr., 36, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de perjurio y fue sentenciado a 2 años en la prisión estatal;
- Armando Salvador León ('Fooskie'), 49, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a cometer extorsión y fue sentenciado a libertad condicional, 435 días de cárcel;
- Edén Macías Portugal, 34, del Condado de Imperial, quien se declaró culpable de posesión de heroína y fue sentenciado a libertad condicional, 335 días de cárcel;
- Maricela Smith, 48, del Condado de San Diego, quien se declaró culpable de posesión de metanfetamina y fue sentenciada a libertad condicional, 234 días de cárcel;
- Ruby Flores Méndez, 35, del Condado de San Diego, quien se declaró culpable de conspirar a vender metanfetamina y se espera que sea sentenciada a libertad condicional.

Sobre el curso de la investigación, los agentes también confiscaron un gran numero de armas de fuego, heroína y metanfetamina.

"Quiero dar las gracias especialmente a los miembros de la oficina del Procurador General Brown de San Diego por todo el trabajo dedicado y esfuerzo realizado para traer este caso a una conclusión exitosa,' dijo el Fiscal del Distrito del Condado de Imperial, Gilberto G. Otero. 'Este es solo otro ejemplo de lo que se puede lograr cuando las autoridades federales, estatales y agentes de policía locales trabajan juntos para el bien común de los ciudadanos de California'.
“Con estas declaraciones de culpabilidad, todas las agencias implicadas en esta investigación han tratado un golpe significativo al liderazgo de esta organización criminal,' dijo el DEA Agente Especial a cargo de la Oficina del Condado de Imperial Timothy A. Jennings. 'Esto debe enviar un mensaje claro a los traficantes de drogas que el DEA y nuestros socios de ejecución no toleráremos trafico de drogas y las actividades criminales en nuestra comunidad. Pienso que estos arrestos hacen la comunidad un poco más seguro para los ciudadanos del Condado de Imperial.”

Otras agencias policiales que ayudaron con la investigación incluyen a el Departamento de Policía de El Centro, la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Imperial, el Departamento de Policía de Calexico, el Departamento de Policía de Brawley, el Departamento de Policía de Holtville, el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos, la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, la Agrupación de Fuerzas Narcóticos del Condado Imperial, y el Departamento Federal de Investigaciones.

Una copia de los 46-cargos de acusación contra los 31 miembros de la pandilla esta adjuntada. (Disponible solo en ingles.)

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Brown Announces Convictions of 31 Mexican Mafia Gang Members in Extortion and Drug Trafficking Cell

March 25, 2010
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

El Centro, Calif.—In a “fatal blow” to one of the most extensive, organized and violent extortion and drug trafficking operations in Imperial County history, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the successful prosecution of all 31 members of a Mexican Mafia cell.

Early this week, the leader of the cell, Patrick Ralph Ponce, 44, of Imperial County, pleaded guilty to drug, weapon, kidnapping and extortion charges, making him the last of 31 gang members to plead guilty to charges brought by Brown’s office. The final conviction concludes “Operation Gangland,” which began in 2005 and ultimately shut down a major Mexican Mafia cell spread across Imperial and San Diego Counties.

“This Mexican Mafia cell was one of the most violent extortion and drug trafficking rings California’s border region has ever seen,” Brown said. “With the convictions of all 31 gang members, we’ve dealt a fatal blow to their criminal enterprise and they will spend a long, long time in prison.”

Originally indicted in August 2007, the gang members have collectively been sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.

In 2005, officials from the California Attorney General’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office formed the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force to investigate the Mexican Mafia’s criminal activities.

The investigation uncovered a widespread drug smuggling and extortion operation directed by Mexican Mafia cell leader Patrick Ponce. The cell used “tax collectors” in El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Heber, Holtville, Calipatria, and Niland to extort funds from anyone engaged in illegal activity, such as drug sales or immigrant smuggling. Those who refused or failed to pay were attacked by Ponce’s enforcers. The “taxes” would be split between the gang member who collected them, Ponce and other gang leaders.

Additionally, Ponce ran a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation, distributing and selling narcotics throughout the region. Ponce ordered gang members with outstanding warrants to surrender themselves to officers so that illegal contraband hidden on these individuals could be smuggled into the Imperial County Jail. Gang members attacked anyone who failed to carry out orders.

Over the course of the investigation, agents captured Ponce on wiretaps ordering assaults, setting extortion rates and arranging drug sales.

Following the investigation, Brown’s office assisted Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert G. Otero in preparing the case against the gang. In August 2007, the case was presented to the San Diego County criminal grand jury, which returned a 46-count indictment against 31 members of the cell. Over the past two and a half years, Brown’s office has successfully prosecuted all 31 gang members, including:

• Patrick Ralph Ponce (“Pato”), 44, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to kidnapping; two counts of extortion; selling methamphetamine; and supplying a firearm to a felon and is expected to be sentenced to 22 years in state prison;
• Marc Anthony Villasenor (“Joker”), 31, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to assault likely to cause great bodily injury; selling heroin; and assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 20 years, 8 months in state prison;
• Raul Antonio Cruz, Jr. (“Jr.”), 33, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to assault with a firearm; three counts of extortion; and three counts of supplying a firearm to a felon and was sentenced to 16 years in state prison;
• Ezequiel Ernesto Rodriguez (“Neto”), 39, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to extortion and admitted carrying a firearm during a gang crime and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison;
• Victorianao Ortiz (“Cyco”), 30, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 14 years in state prison;
• Raul Vega Mejia (“Pollo”), 37, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted extortion; two counts of extortion; carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 13 years in state prison;
• Gabriel Anthony Valles (“Guero”), 47, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and admitted carrying a firearm during a gang crime and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison;
• Marco Araujo, 54, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and three counts of selling heroin and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison;
• Juan Antonio Hornback (“Duke”), 31, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to selling heroin and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison;
• Jose Manuel Zepeda, 31, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion and extortion and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison;
• Victor Ruby (“Outlaw”), 38, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to assault likely to cause great bodily injury and was sentenced to 8 years in state prison;
• David Paez Martinez (“Deebo”), 32, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to extortion; two counts of attempted extortion; assault with a firearm; and felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 7 years in state prison;
• Luis Hector Munoz (“Clepto”), 30, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion and extortion and was sentenced to 7 years in state prison;
• Gerardo Robles (“Gerry”), 29, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and selling heroin and was sentenced to 7 years in state prison;
• Jose Espinoza (“Chuck”), 26, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to extortion; receiving stolen property and possession of an assault weapon and was sentenced to 6 years, 4 months in state prison;
• Jaime Alejandro Perez (“Beef”), 26, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to attempted extortion and is expected to be sentenced to 6 years in state prison;
• Jorge Cuevas Mendoza (“Twinx”), 25, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 5 years in state prison;
• Antonio Padilla (“Kasper”), 34, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 4 years in state prison;
• Refugio Castellanos Servin, 43, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to selling heroin and was sentenced to 4 years in state prison;
• Manuel Estrada Solarez (“Chile”), 54, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to selling heroin and was sentenced to 4 years in state prison;
• Juan Cordero (“Pollo”), 31, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison;
• Max Ponce, Jr. (“Mad Max”), 53, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison;
• Anthony Edward Favela (“Shadow”), 37, of San Diego County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison;
• Judy Ann Huerta, 29, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell heroin and was sentenced to 3 years in state prison;
• Brian Mark Smith (“Dusty”), 34, of San Diego County, who pleaded guilty to supplying a firearm to a felon and was sentenced to 2 years in state prison;
• Joe Alberto Tamayo (“Drak”), 36, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to extortion and was sentenced to 2 years in state prison;
• Rudy Raymond Ferrel, Jr., 36, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to perjury and was sentenced to 2 years in state prison;
• Armando Salvador Leon (“Fooskie”), 49, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion and was sentenced to formal probation, 435 days jail;
• Eden Macias Portugal, 34, of Imperial County, who pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and was sentenced to summary probation, 355 days jail;
• Maricela Smith, 48, of San Diego County, who pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to formal probation, 234 days jail; and
• Ruby Flores Mendez, 35, of San Diego County, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and is expected to be sentenced to formal probation.

Over the course of the investigation, agents also seized a large number of firearms, heroin and methamphetamine.

“I want to give special thanks to the members of Attorney General Brown’s San Diego office for all the hard work and effort expended to bring this case to a successful conclusion,” said Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert G. Otero. “This is just another example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local law enforcement officers work together for the common good of the citizens of California.”

"With these guilty pleas, all agencies involved in this investigation have dealt a significant blow to the leadership of this criminal organization,' said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Imperial County Office Timothy A. Jennings. 'This should send a clear message to the drug traffickers that the DEA and our outstanding law enforcement partners will not tolerate drug trafficking and the related criminal activities in our community. I think that these arrests make the community a little bit safer for the citizens of Imperial County'.

Other law enforcement agencies that assisted with the investigation included the El Centro Police Department, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, Calexico Police Department, Brawley Police Department, Holtville Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, Imperial County Narcotic Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A copy of the original 46-count indictment against the 31 gang members is attached.

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