SAN DIEGO - A federal grand jury has indicted 47 people who are allegedly associated with illegal gambling establishments that are closely tied to gangs, drugs and violence in San Diego neighborhoods. In May 2020, another co-conspirator allegedly attempted to drive a load of 90.4 pounds (41 kilograms) of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico through the San Ysidro port of entry. The defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in the United States District Court in Riverside and downtown Los Angeles. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Trisotto of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case. Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute Charge: Forty years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine. Todays enforcement action is another example of why the Task Force was established to be a force multiplier and combine short term, street level enforcement activity with long term, sophisticated techniques to root out and prosecute the entire criminal enterprise., I would like to recognize the cooperation between all agencies who took part in this operation, said San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. He pleaded guilty in July 2022 to one count of interstate domestic violence resulting in death and was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District . Casino.org is the worlds leading independent online gaming authority, providing trusted online casino June 15, 2021 4:10 PM PT Four men alleged to be leaders in a Mexican cartel enforcement cell have been indicted in San Diego on drug-trafficking charges and are accused of orchestrating a. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge: 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 841(a)(1); Importation of Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. Possession with Intent to Distribute/Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. I am particularly grateful to FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner, SDPD Chief David Nisleit, and District Attorney Summer Stephan for their work on this investigation and their dedication to keeping our community safe., These gambling dens were not only host to illegal gambling, but a hub for a variety of other criminal activity to include drug trafficking and unlawful possession of firearms, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. Grossman said law enforcement has seized more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine, 90 firearms and more than $200,000 during the investigation. Its rare to have a patron who does not use or sell methamphetamine inside these locations. Twelve were arrested this week, including nine this morning; the rest were already in custody. The drug dealers moved the narcotics around the country utilizing various means, including FedEx and UPS, according to investigators. The operation resulted in 35 arrests and charges against 47 people, according to federal indictments unsealed Wednesday. Acting U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman noted that gangs, drugs and illegal firearms have infested many of our neighborhoods, which creates a violent culture that is unsafe for residents.. 922(g)(1). Authorities also seized methamphetamine, heroin and firearms as part of the investigation. Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. The 19-count indictment charges a total of 19 defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence and a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Both were arrested in April on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and are currently in federal custody. Investigators conducted extensive physical surveillance in conjunction with a six-month federal wiretap operation that intercepted the communications of the networks members and was used to track their locations. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The U.S. Attorneys Office reported that 44 of the 60 defendants were in custody as of Tuesday, with dozens of defendants arrested over the past month in five states. Maximum Penalties: For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises Charges: Five years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Randy Grossman was joined at 2 p.m. by officials from the DEA, IRS, San Diego County Sheriff's Department and others for a news conference, which was held at the DEA's office on Viewridge Avenue. MCC San Diego is a prison complex that contains An administrative security metropolitan correctional center. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. San Diego, California 92101-8807, Telephone: (619) 557-5610 Members are nominated by Superior Court Judges to serve one-year terms. Alexander Michael Randise, 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court last year to a fentanyl distribution charge, stemming from the December 2021 death of Tyber Joseph Lustig, U.S. District Court Judge Larry Burns ruled the 2021 law did not violate gun owners rights under the Second Amendment, Preliminary hearing of Larry Millete, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering his missing wife Maya Millete, could run two weeks or longer. 841(a)(1). With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. "One method utilized was moving tens of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds to the network's leaders via Paypal, Zelle, Venmo and Cash App accounts, in addition to shipping bulk cash.". Maximum Penalties: For Illegal Gambling Business Charge: Five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 371 Conspiracy), Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. The Grand Jury investigates the operations of governmental programs of the County, cities and special districts. An official website of the United States government. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine. 841(a)(1)). The "massive" San Diego network moved "tons" of meth around the nation, including to Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, as well as to Australia and New Zealand, Grossman said. SAN DIEGO A federal grand jury has indicted 47 people who are allegedly associated with illegal gambling establishments that are closely tied to gangs, drugs and violence in San Diego neighborhoods. Those arrested today include the owners of the businesses and employees who acted as doormen, security and bankers; those who audit the machines; and those who collect the money. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. According to the warrant, the use and sale of methamphetamine is intrinsically linked to slaphouses and acts as a draw to bring customers to the venues. maps_and_photos_4-14-21x.pdf unsealed_sw_21mj1300.pdf 952 and 960; Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. We are committed to dismantling violent gangs and holding their members accountable for criminal conduct., The FBI is proud to work alongside our local, state, and federal partners on the Violent Crimes Task Force to address the gang problem and rid our streets of the overflow of drugs and guns which continue to plague our communities, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. During this mornings takedown, 12 of the federal defendants were arrested. 952, 960 and 963; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 619-232-4311. Long is a reputed member of the V-Boys Vietnamese street gang, who has previous convictions for illegal gambling and drugs, according to the affidavit. ) A San Diego man who killed his boyfriend by stabbing him 93 times was sentenced today to life in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. 12.15.2022. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. Please reload the page and try again. Southern District of California Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A new Grand Jury is chosen each year by July 1. SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A man from San Diego was indicted in a federal court after a search of his residence revealed his connection to illegal sales of firearms and possessing. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. *KAREN RENE ANN PRANGSAMPHAN- PORTER (10), Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. Have a question about Government Services? Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton and Adam Gordon. Earlier this month, a man who allegedly laundered drug money for the Sinaloa Cartel was arraigned in San Diego federal court on conspiracy charges. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Herrera is charged alongside alleged lieutenants Carlos Lorenzo Hinojosa Guerrero and Edgar Perez Villa in a superseding indictment returned by a San Diego federal grand jury in March 2020, part of a larger prosecution against 13 others. Official websites use .gov SAN DIEGO Eleven federal indictments unsealed in San Diego today charge twenty-three documented gang members and associates with heroin, methamphetamine and firearms trafficking. The indictments allege that illegal gambling dens were often located inside small businesses or inside houses, apartments, and outbuildings in residential neighborhoods predominantly in City Heights, in the East San Diego area. Doctor and Office Manager Indicted in Scheme to Defraud Medicare, Manufacture and Distribute Fentanyl. Christopher Alexis Gomez, 17, and Juan Suarez-Ojeda, 18, both U.S. citizens from San Diego, and Angel Said Robles, 17, of Tijuana were in a Tijuana apartment when a group of people burst in. Lock 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). For firearms charges: Ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Our team of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options. According to the indictment returned on May 5 and unsealed today, from April to August 2020, lead defendants Timoteo Gomez, 48, of Riverside, and Javier Rodriguez, a.k.a. The indictments are part of a yearlong investigation involving wiretaps, undercover drug and gun purchases and "extensive surveillance," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Local, state and federal partners on the Violent Crimes Task Force, including the FBI, worked together on the yearlong investigation. Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. An official website of the United States government. DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1406-DMS, DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1407-DMS, DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1408-DMS. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The war for Tijuana has grown into an intense three-way battle with the involvement of two remnant factions of the once-controlling Arellano Flix Organization one is aligned with the CJNG against Sinaloa and the other is hoping to subdue both major cartels. The trio was tortured for about two hours before being killed, according to the Baja California Attorney Generals Office. The indictments allege that many of these gambling locations were taking in thousands of dollars a day. Maximum Penalties: For firearms charges: Ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. 841(a)(1) and 846; Conspiracy to Import Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. Federal Office Building The CJNGs rapid expansion of its drug trafficking activities is characterized by the groups willingness to engage in violent confrontations with Mexican government security forces and rival cartels, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations most recent National Drug Threat Assessment report. A lock ( A consumer advocacy group had sought emails, meeting schedules and other records after The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the insurance commissioner had accepted political contributions from insurers and intervened in administrative cases to benefit some donors. Grossman said that Assistant U.S. Attorney and Matthew J. Sutton will be one of the lead prosecutors on the case. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( "Distribution networks like this one are the arms of violent cartels, reaching out into our communities," Grossman said. Vasquez is accused of coordinating the killings, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office motion to unseal the charges. We'll send you the top local news stories every morning at 8 a.m. By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with Times of San Diego to receive our free newsletter and breaking news alerts. 952 & 960). The FBI said that those arrested Wednesday ranged from owners of the businesses to those who acted as security doormen and bankers, as well as the drug dealers who operated within the dens. Criminal Records and Contact Info aggregated from real law enforcement agencies and government court houses. lawyer found dead in Mexico speaks, O.C. Mexican authorities have not released further details about the case, including why the teens might have been targeted. Its rare to have a patron who does not use or sell methamphetamine inside these locations., We have taken down the illegal gambling dens, and we have lifted a weight off our neighborhoods, said Acting US Attorney Randy Grossman. Grossman described Operation Crystal Shielf as a "multi-jurisdictional investigation targeting a sophisticated San Diego-based network used by the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute methamphetamine throughout the United States and to smuggle drug proceeds back into Southern California.". The U.S. Attorney's office Grossman announced charges Tuesday afternoon against 60 alleged local members of a San Diego-based methamphetamine ring accused of working for a distribution network for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. 12.06. . According to court records, it is common for gambling den owners to pay rent in cash to the owners of these properties and, in some cases, a percentage of the profits to cast a blind eye to all the foot traffic. The three others with nicknames that reference apparent membership in Los Cabos, such as Cabo 96 and Cabo 89 remain at large. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS All rights reserved, Beaches Up and Down San Diego County Closed After Sewage Spills, Watch Live: Maya Millete Case Updates During Larry Millete's Hearing on Murder Charge, SUV Appears Split in Half After Oceanside Crash That Killed Mom, 6-Year-Old, Injured 4 Others, That's Where She Told Me That She Needs a Place to Live,' Maya Millete's Sister-in-Law Testifies. 841(a)(1)). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A locked padlock "Gangs, drugs and illegal firearms are infesting many of our neighborhoods and creating a violent culture that is unsafe for residents," Acting U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman said. Fax: (619) 546-0720 Specifically, on June 8, 2021, a federal grand jury indictment resulting from the sting operation was unsealed in San Diego. Those cases are pending prosecution in Mexico. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The defendants are charged in two separate indictments with submitting fraudulent claims to California's Employment Development Department. The cartel was an early adopter of trafficking fentanyl into the U.S. as a cheaper, more reliable alternative to heroin and, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, is also a prolific methamphetamine producer and chemical importer, using precursors procured from China and India.. Main Office: Grossman praised federal prosecutors Dale Blankenship and Matthew Brehm as well as the Deputy District Attorneys, FBI Special Agents, San Diego Police Department detectives and officers and other state, federal and local law enforcement agencies who worked so hard on this investigation. Callery said that the targets of Operation Crystal Shield were purchasing over 100 pounds of meth a week, "which is an enormous amount for any city in the United States, Callery said. Other alleged members of the conspiracy would further distribute methamphetamine in the Inland Empire. He awaits extradition to the U.S. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1409-DMS, DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1410-DMS. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "Together, these cities account for about 75% of all methamphetamine traffic within the United States.". Help us grow with a monthly contribution. Three other defendants were already in federal or state custody on unrelated charges, and federal prosecutors will seek to have them brought into federal court. California Attorney Generals Office, defendant Case Number: 21CR1407-DMS, defendants Case:... 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