Whoops! 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. 922(g)(1). 17 Suspected Gang Members in Custody Following Federal Probe into Drug, Gun Trafficking, Operation Devils Den: Escondido Gang Probe Leads to 21 Arrests, 113 Guns Held, Police Send Results of Probe into Rape Allegations Against SDSU Football Players to District Attorney, Four Suspected of Operating Illicit Massage Businesses, Including Ex-San Diego Vice Cop, Opinion: Three Ways that California Can Prepare for Future Atmospheric Rivers, Sister-in-Law of Missing Chula Vista Woman Testifies at Millete Hearing, San Diego State University Launches Online Cyber Tech Academy, Husband-and-Wife Team to Star in Disney on Ice in San Diego, San Diego Foundation: $3.5 Million in Scholarships Available, Santee YMCA Closing Early, Fearing Rally Clashes Over Teen's Report, Trans Rights, Opinion: SunbreakRanchIs the Answer to San Diego -- and Americas -- Homeless Crisis, Opinion: Latest Chargers Loss a Reminder of Why San Diego Fans Let Them Leave, Family of 6, Including New Baby, Dead in Drug Cartel Massacre in Central Valley, San Diego Police Shoot, Kill Man, 77, Sought in Younger Woman's Fatal Stabbing, Parcels Near Cal State San Marcos Sold for Nearly $6M in Area Slated for Redevelopment, Fundraiser for Former San Diego Police Officer Darnell Calhoun Passes $150K, Heavy Rain Runoff and Sewage Spills Close Beaches Across San Diego Area, Three More Arrests Made in Alleged Large-Scale Theft, Robbery Ring, California Braces for Last 2 'Atmospheric River' Storms Amid Hopes for Drought to Ease, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. SAN DIEGO Federal authorities unsealed indictments Thursday against 85 alleged members of East San Diego County drug distribution and money laundering networks linked to the Sinaloa. Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Trisotto of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case. The governments case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Espinoza lived in San Diego and also had a residence in Minnesota, which has been seized as part of the investigation. 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. Authorities also seized methamphetamine, heroin and firearms as part of the investigation. These collaborative efforts continue to make our communities safe.. Our DA team worked tirelessly with the Violent Crimes Task Force and the U.S. Attorneys Office assisting with critical search warrants during the course of this operation.. 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. Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. "Together, these cities account for about 75% of all methamphetamine traffic within the United States.". The indictments allege that many of these gambling locations were taking in thousands of dollars a day. The operation resulted in 35 arrests and charges against 47 people, according to federal indictments unsealed Wednesday. Indictment Charges Eight Members of Alleged D.C. Drug Gang with Conspiracy January 12, 2023 Read More Press Release Riverside Man Caught with More Than 10 Grams of Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues. They also seized methamphetamine, heroin and firearms as part of the investigation. 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. San Diego, California 92101-8807, Telephone: (619) 557-5610 Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge: Ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 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. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1404-DMS. Sutton said that the lead defendant in the case, Reyes Espinoza, was the one with the alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and was the main supplier and served as a conduit, the main source of supply for the meth ring, responsible for importing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine into San Diego every week. Have a question about Government Services? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. California has seen a marked increase in underground gambling dens, sometimes known as slaphouses, in recent years. Early this morning, more than 450 members of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force - Gang Group, the San Diego Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies made 35 arrests and searched 24 locations, mostly illegal gambling dens in East San Diego neighborhoods. 856(a)(1)), Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. Numerous crimes have been linked to the illegal gambling operations, said SDPD Chief David Nisleit. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. The operation resulted in 35 arrests and charges against 47 people, according. Lock An official website of the United States government. Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charge: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. 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. Ryan Korner, who is the Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office, described how the criminal moved the money across international borders. One has pleaded guilty and the other is awaiting trial. The FBI disrupted two dozen illegal gambling dens in San Diego Wednesday morning in sweeping raids across the city. 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. FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Michael Pratt Captured in Spain. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. As of Thursday. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. 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. 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. Subscribe Maximum Penalties: Importation of Methamphetamine Charges: 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. In total, law enforcement seized more than 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of methamphetamine and $31,035 in cash during this investigation. Meth, Firearm Result in 10 Years of Prison January 03, 2023 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. 12.15.2022. 841(a)(1) and 846; Conspiracy to Import Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1411-DMS, DEFENDANT Case Number: 21CR1412-DMS, DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1413-DMS, DEFENDANTS Case Number: 21CR1414-DMS. 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. An official website of the United States government. ", "San Diego is one of nine major transportation-hub cities identified under DEA's Operation Crystal Shield," said John Callery, Special Agent in Charge of DEAs San Diego Field Division. Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. California Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Charges Related to Capitol Breach, Ocean Beach Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for His Role in Fatal Overdose, Victims of BitConnect Scheme to Receive More Than $17 Million to Compensate for Losses, Child Predator to Serve 20 Years in Prison, Pay $100,000 to Victims, FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Michael Pratt Captured in Spain, Doctor and Office Manager Indicted in Scheme to Defraud Medicare, Manufacture and Distribute Fentanyl, Man Indicted for Stealing Chief Federal Judges Identity and Forging Court Documents, Arizona Woman Sentenced for Participating in Nationwide Grandparent Scam, Former Sheriffs Captains Accomplice Sentenced to Prison for Corruption Offenses, Four Defendants Indicted for Securities Fraud, Conducting International Pump-and-Dump Scheme, and Money Laundering, Two Defendants Sentenced for Participating in Nationwide Grandparent Scam, Political Consultant Convicted for Scheme Involving Illegal Foreign Campaign Contribution to 2016 Presidential Campaign, San Diego Resident Sentenced to 15 Years for His Role in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose, U.S. Attorneys Office Joins Community and Law Enforcement Partners in Launching San Diegos First United Against Hate Week, Former U.S. Military Pilot Sentenced for Acting as Paid Agent of China and Lying on National Security Background Forms, Former U.S. Navy Service Member Pleads Guilty to $2 Million Insurance Fraud Scheme, U.S. Attorneys Office to Oversee Complaints Related to November 2022 General Election, Nevada Man Sentenced for Bringing 17-Year-Old Girl to San Diego to Engage in Commercial Sex Acts, Law Enforcement Announces Creation of Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team and Its First Prosecution, emailStay Connected 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. Mexican authorities have not released further details about the case, including why the teens might have been targeted. 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. Authorities have also seized drugs, cash and guns in connection with the investigation. 880 Front Street, Room 6293 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.
