Murder, Kidnapping, and Assault Indictments against MS-13
Members also Unsealed; Seven Firearms, More Than 60 Machetes and Knives, and
270 Rounds of Ammo Seized
As part of a multi-agency operation, more than 20
individuals associated with Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) were arrested in Mendota
and Los Angeles, California on federal and state charges in connection with
their gang activities, including assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of
racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute
controlled substances. Additionally, two federal indictments were unsealed
today: one charging two MS-13 members with kidnapping and murder in aid of
racketeering and another charging three MS-13 gang members with conspiracy and
assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
The charges were announced by Assistant Attorney General
Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S.
Attorney McGregor W. Scott for the Eastern District of California, California
Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s
Sacramento Field Office, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno
County Sheriff Margaret Mims, and Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations
(HSI) for northern California and northern Nevada.
The investigation leading to yesterday’s arrests began
following reports that MS-13 had established a presence in Fresno County,
California. The investigation centered
in and around the City of Mendota, a Central Valley town 35 miles west of
Fresno. Investigators found evidence of broad criminal activity, including
murder, assault, firearms possession and drug trafficking activity.
“MS-13 is a brutal transnational criminal organization that
has wreaked havoc in communities across the United States,” said Assistant
Attorney General Benczkowski. “The gang
engages in indiscriminate and senseless acts of violence, as demonstrated by
the charges announced today, which allege murder, attempted murder, and drug
trafficking in the State of California.
Dismantling MS-13 and other violent gangs that terrorize our streets
will remain a top priority of the Department of Justice. Today’s announcement is the result of
comprehensive and coordinated federal, state, and local law enforcement action,
and I commend the Eastern District of California and all of our partners for
their hard work on this case. It is
precisely this kind of coordinated effort that allows us to most effectively
protect our communities and hold MS-13 members accountable for their heinous
crimes.”
“The operation leading to today’s arrests reflects the
incredible teamwork between our federal, state, and local law enforcement
partners, and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe from
violent criminal gangs like MS-13, said U.S. Attorney Scott. “This investigation had a strong impact not
only in Fresno County, but across the state and country as we were able to
provide information and leads to law enforcement in Los Angeles, Nevada, Texas,
New York, and elsewhere to help prevent and solve serious crimes, including
murder. Criminal enterprises like MS-13 will not be tolerated in any of our
towns, no matter how small.”
“Global criminal organizations like the MS-13 strike fear
into our local communities here in the United States by committing violent and
often brutal crimes in our backyards; but by all levels of law enforcement
working together, their vicious and dangerous acts will not go unpunished,”
said HSI Special Agent in Charge Spradlin. “While transnational gangs may have
tentacles that reach globally, Homeland Security Investigations does as well
and is well‑equipped to intercept these threats to our national security.”
“The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating and
disrupting gang activity,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ragan. “Through the Safe Streets Task Force and the
Transnational Anti-Gang Initiative, the FBI leverages resources to target
MS-13--the first and only street gang to be designated by the U.S. government
as a transnational criminal organization--by focusing on the gang’s structure
and leadership. To ensure success, the
FBI it committed to working in close cooperation with federal, state, local and
foreign law enforcements partners to coordinate operations and share information.”
The first federal charges filed as a result of the
investigation were filed in January but were not unsealed until today. That indictment alleges that on Dec. 18,
2017, two MS-13 gang members operating out of Mendota – Israel Rivas Gomez and
John Doe, aka, “Marcos Castro,” “Seco,” “Calakas,” and “Flaco,” – kidnapped and
murdered a man in Fresno County in furtherance of MS-13’s criminal gang
enterprise. Another indictment filed in
April and unsealed today alleges that on May 5, 2017, Luis Reynaldo Reyes
Castillo, aka “Molesto,” Jose Audon Reyes Barrera, aka “Calacas,” and Nilson
Israel Reyes Mendoza, committed an assault with dangerous weapons for the
purpose of maintaining MS-13’s presence in the community and to gain status
within MS-13.
Several other MS-13 gang members were arrested yesterday
based on a complaint filed this week and unsealed today. The complaint charges 16 individuals
affiliated with MS-13 in Fresno County with various crimes, including two
separate, gang-related assaults and drug trafficking activity to support the
gang’s activity. Those documents allege
that on Aug. 12, Lorenzo Amador, aka Catracho, along with two others, stabbed a
rival gang member in the back at an intersection in Mendota. The victim was transported to the hospital,
underwent surgery, and survived. Court
documents also allege that on May 14, Denis Barrera-Palma, aka Gunner, Ever
Membreno, aka Canecho, and Edgar Torres-Amador, participated in a gang-related
assault of a man walking near an elementary school, which ended after school
employees arrived on the scene while one gang member beat the victim with a
metal pipe.
Additionally, the complaint alleges that between May 2017
and August 2018, 16 members of the MS-13 enterprise participated in a drug
trafficking conspiracy in both Fresno County and Los Angeles. These defendants allegedly obtained, sold,
and profited from street level drug dealing, and used the proceeds to further
MS-13’s criminal objectives.
As part of this operation, 19 federal and four state search
warrants were served in Mendota, Kerman, and Los Angeles. Additionally,
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conducted searches of
37 cells in 11 state prisons in California on individuals related to this
investigation. Among the items seized were cellphones, drugs and weapons.
Amongst the 21 charged federally include:
Henry Castro aka
“Marcos,” 20, of Mendota, is charged with kidnapping and murder;
Israel Rivas
Gomez, aka “Pirra,” 23, of Mendota, is charged with kidnapping and murder;
Ever Membreno,
aka, “Canecho,” 18, of Mendota, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon
– a pipe and drug conspiracy;
Edgar
Torres-Amador, 21, of Mendota, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon
– a pipe;
Lorenzo Amador,
aka, “Catracho,” 20, of Mendota, is charged with assault with a dangerous
weapon – a stabbing instrument and drug conspiracy;
Denis
Barrera-Palma, aka “Gunner,” 24, of Mendota, is charged with assault with a
dangerous weapon – a pipe and drug conspiracy;
Luis Reyes, aka
Molesto, 24, of Mendota, is charged with conspiracy to commit and commission of
assault with a dangerous weapon;
Jose Audon
Reyes-Barrera, 21, of Mendota, is charged with conspiracy to commit and
commission of assault with a dangerous weapon;
Nelson Hernandez,
20, of Mendota, is charged with conspiracy to commit and commission of assault
with a dangerous weapon;
Mario
Garcia-Villanueva, aka “Ton,” 31, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Francisco Lizano,
aka, “Javi,” and “Activo,” 24, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Jefferson Guevara,
aka “Chino,” 19, of Los Angeles, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Jose Wilson
Navarette-Mendez, aka “Wilson,” 21, of Mendota, is charged with drug
conspiracy;
Denis
Alfaro-Torres, aka Payin, 22, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Santos Bonilla,
aka Cuervo, 26, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Henry Bonilla, aka
“Repollo” and “Repollin,” 18, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Marvin
Villegas-Segovia, aka, “Chaparro,” 21, of Mendota, is charged with drug
conspiracy;
Christian Hidalgo,
aka “Guero,” “Hero,” “Werito,” and “White Boy, “21, of Mendota, is charged with
drug conspiracy;
Brenda Yajaira
Morales, aka “Yari,” 25, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy;
Claudia Lizaola,
aka “Maniaka,” 39, of San Bernardino, is charged with drug conspiracy; and
Oscar Reyes, aka
“Tamagas,” 29, of Mendota, is charged with drug conspiracy.
Six additional MS-13 members were charged with state crimes.
The investigation was conducted by the California Department
of Justice and California Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, the Multi-Agency
Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), the FBI, HSI, the Fresno County District
Attorney’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Services Unit (SSU). The
CHP Special Operations Unit is a collaborative investigative effort between the
California Department of Justice and California Highway Patrol that provides
statewide enforcement to combat violent career criminals, gangs, and organized
crime groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers.
Assisting in the arrests were the U.S. Marshals Service; the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives; and the Clovis Police Department.
Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s
Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Justice Department, Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez, Kathleen A. Servatius, Ross Pearson and Angela
Scott of the Eastern District of California and Senior Deputy District Attorney Dennis
Lewis are handling the prosecutions.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are
presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of
law.
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