880 Front Street, Room 6293 The Task Force is a joint federal and state gang task force that includes the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; IRS Criminal Investigation; the Riverside County Sheriffs Department; and the Riverside Police Department. 841(a)(1) and 846; Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 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. The defendants are charged with conspiracy, operating illegal gambling businesses, maintaining drug involved premises, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, distribution of methamphetamine, importation of methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. Authorities also seized methamphetamine, heroin and firearms as part of the investigation. Possession with Intent to Distribute/Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. The fourth alleged leader, Israel Alejandro Vazquez-Vazquez, is charged separately in a March 2021 indictment. 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. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1404-DMS. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. The drug-trafficking organization, known by its Spanish initials CJNG, has risen in influence in recent years and has been battling the more entrenched Sinaloa Cartel for control of the lucrative Tijuana-San Diego smuggling route. Nearly a dozen federal indictments were unsealed in San Diego Thursday charging 23 documented gang members and associates with trafficking drugs and firearms. Numerous crimes have been linked to the illegal gambling operations, said SDPD Chief David Nisleit. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. The FBIs Safe Streets Task Force received assistance during the investigation from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Gangs, drugs, and illegal firearms are infesting many of our neighborhoods and creating a violent culture that is unsafe for residents, said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1409-DMS, DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1410-DMS. Fax: (619) 546-0720 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Random Lengths News Operation 'Wipe Out:' Narcotics and Firearms Charges For 13 Defendants Named in Four Federal Indictments - The Los Angeles Harbor Area's Only Independently owned news magazine serving San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, Lomita, Torrance, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes and Harbor Gateway. Three men identified by authorities by first name only were arrested in Mexico in connection with the slayings about six weeks later. The FBIs Inland Empire Safe Streets Task Force investigated this matter. Incentives for staying, playing and dining local, Local students can apply for 140+ college scholarships, Lisa Marie Presleys death deferred by L.A. coroner, Family of O.C. Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute Charge: 40 years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a $5 million fine. 371 Conspiracy), Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. ) 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. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charge: Forty years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine. 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. 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. 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California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, San Diego County District Attorneys Office, Southern District of California 841(a)(1)). Enter address: This website, like most media sites, uses small files called cookies to anonymously customize the advertising that you see. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Criminal Records and Contact Info aggregated from real law enforcement agencies and government court houses. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Authorities are continuing to search for six defendants. SAN DIEGO Eleven federal indictments unsealed in San Diego today charge twenty-three documented gang members and associates with heroin, methamphetamine and firearms trafficking. Authorities arrested a dozen of the defendants this week. If you sell drugs in San Diego, we will find you and prosecute you to the full extent of the law.. Have a question about Government Services? As a result of the collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, law-abiding citizens who live in these neighborhoods will be safer without these magnets for crime in their midst.. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. 952, 960 and 963; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. Toll Free (800) 544-1106 Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charge: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine. Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Trisotto of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case. Los Cabos also frequently targeted law enforcement in Tijuana and are accused of killing at least three police officers, according to prosecutors. As of Thursday afternoon, 17 of the 23 defendants all identified as San Diego residents ranging in age from 23 to 60 were in federal or state custody. One has pleaded guilty and the other is awaiting trial. "Distribution networks like this one are the arms of violent cartels, reaching out into our communities," Grossman said. Grossman said that Assistant U.S. Attorney and Matthew J. Sutton will be one of the lead prosecutors on the case. Some of that violence was aimed at three teenagers on Nov. 24, 2018. The people selling drugs inside may be employees or independent drug dealers. 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. The charges, which were recently unsealed, include conspiracy to import and distribute heroin and methamphetamine. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. 808 UNION STREET SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101. Alexander Yoichi Duberek, 25, was indicted in September 2021. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Prosecutors say the defendants used services like Signal and WhatsApp to communicate with each other in order to avoid law enforcement detection. But lawyers for the hospital say the medical records show he was unconscious. They often spring up behind seemingly vacant storefronts in areas where retail has taken a downturn. 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. "The defendants in this case used cars and motorcycles with hidden compartments, they used trains, commercial airlines, the U.S. mail and commercial delivery services like FedEx and UPS to deliver their deadly methamphetamine. Their friend, Said, lived in the Lomas Verdes neighborhood where the killings occurred. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941 and Adam Gordon (619) 546-6720 NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - May 27, 2021 SAN DIEGO - Eleven federal indictments unsealed in San Diego today charge twenty-three documented gang members and associates with heroin, methamphetamine and firearms trafficking. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Its rare to have a patron who does not use or sell methamphetamine inside these locations. No Thanks Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( 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. Espinoza lived in San Diego and also had a residence in Minnesota, which has been seized as part of the investigation. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. To protect their illegal operations, the defendants used encrypted communications services to communicate with each other. 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. 12.06. . "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.". Official websites use .gov natives documentary captures The Art of Grieving, Disneyland release new details about centennial celebration, City sewage spill closes San Diego Bay, other beaches, Orange County man shot by police pulled gun, Live: Larry Millete preliminary hearing continues, Motorcyclist killed in North County crash, Suspect shot, killed while reaching for shotgun:, Drivers press their luck in Mission Valley flooding, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. *KAREN RENE ANN PRANGSAMPHAN- PORTER (10), Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. Please reload the page and try again. He was previously designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for allegedly laundering money for top cartel leaders, including Joaquin "El Chapo'' Guzman Loera, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1411-DMS, DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1412-DMS, DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1413-DMS, DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1414-DMS. 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Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Alexander Yoichi Duberek, 25, was indicted in September 2021. *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. 841(a)(1)). Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine. Lock Additional partner agencies participating in the takedown. 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. Prosecutors said many of the defendants are either members or associates of gangs -- many of which have "longstanding ties to the Mexican Mafia" -- operating out of National City, San Ysidro and other areas. Prosecutors said many of the defendants are either members or associates of gangs, some of which have longstanding ties to the Mexican Mafia. They operated out of South Bay communities including National City and San Ysidro. We have taken down the illegal gambling dens, and we have lifted a weight off our neighborhoods, said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. 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. Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition Charges: years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. They have been linked to drugs and violent crime. 841(a)(1)). This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. Local, state and federal partners on the Violent Crimes Task Force, including the FBI, worked together on the yearlong investigation. Whoops! 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. 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. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton (619) 546-8941 and Adam Gordon (619) 546-6720. The operation resulted in 35 arrests and charges against 47 people, according. San Diego County residents face federal charges in . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. San Diego, California 92101-8807, Telephone: (619) 557-5610 Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton and Adam Gordon. Federal Office Building The investigative work led by the Violent Crimes Task Force and the arrests made have created a safer environment for all of our communities., This joint operation is a prime example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement works together to respond to community concerns over increased crime in their neighborhoods, said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. RIVERSIDE, CA Law enforcement authorities today arrested 12 defendants charged in a federal grand jury indictment alleging they conspired to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine from their suppliers in Mexico into and throughout the Inland Empire. The crackdown announced today is the latest in a series of efforts by the Department of Justice to turn the tide of the opioid epidemic and reduce the inevitable violent crime that accompanies widespread drug trafficking. Forms & InstructionsOverviewPOPULAR FORMS & INSTRUCTIONSForm 1040Individual Tax ReturnForm 1040 InstructionsInstructions for Form 1040Form W-9Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and CertificationForm 4506-TRequest for Transcript of Tax ReturnForm W-4Employee's Withholding CertificateForm 941Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax . An official website of the United States government. Drug proceeds were returned to the networks leaders through a variety of means, including bulk cash, structured cash deposits into bank accounts and money transfers through apps like PayPal, Zelle, Venmo and Cash App, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Officials also announced seizures of more than 220 pounds of meth and other drugs, 90 firearms and more than $250,000 in cash. 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