Posted on 06/15/2005 10:32:06 PM PDT by doug from upland
Two Dozen Suspected Gang Members Arrested
Raids Targeting Violent Hispanic Street And Prison Gangs
Jun 15, 2005 4:14 pm US/Pacific SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Federal authorities arrested two dozen men Wednesday in raids targeting violent Hispanic street and prison gangs in Orange County.
The U.S. district attorney's office also unsealed two racketeering indictments that together charge 40 people with using extortion and violence to control drug dealing in the county and in Santa Ana.
Alleged Mexican Mafia leader Peter Ojeda, 63, of La Habra was among those arrested Wednesday. He was charged in an indictment returned by a grand jury June 8 that alleges three counts including racketeering, drug trafficking and methamphetamine distribution.
"He ran the Hispanic street gangs in the ca Ana were accused of extortion, plotting to kill rivals, and taxing other drug dealers operating on their turf.
The 24 people arrested Wednesday appeared in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana later in the day and were ordered held without bail, Smith said. All 40 suspects were due back in court for arraignment on June 23.
Four of those charged for their alleged roles in a narcotics conspiracy remained at large.
Wednesday's arrests were announced at a news conference and followed a two-year investigation by Santa Ana police, California Department of Corrections investigators and agents with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Another article....
Thanks, Doug.
"Two Dozen Suspected Gang Members Arrested; Raids Targeting Violent Hispanic Street And Prison Gangs"
Dunno, Doug...
Way too long for a good song title.
;-)
Are they pulling these people off the streets before the possible upcoming riots start?
DON'T SAY THAT!!!!!!!!!
Sheesh!
Seriously? I don't know but this is happening a LOT today, all around the country. (I think) (it's late....)
Readying for the Villaragosa debut here in LA.
Unfortunately California has left itself open for gangs by having the lowest ratio of law enforcement officers per population of all but about a half dozen rural states such as Alaska, Montana and Mississippi
The Ojeda Organization required Hispanic criminal street gangs in Orange County to pay money as a "tax" or "tribute" on a regular basis, the indictment alleges. The Ojeda Organization permitted the tax-paying gangs and gang members to exert influence over their neighborhoods and territories. The Ojeda Organization disciplined Orange County criminal street gangs and their members who engaged in unsanctioned violence, such as a drive-by shooting, which could cause increased law enforcement attention and thereby threaten the income of the Ojeda Organization.
Those named in the RICO count are:
* Peter Ojeda, 63, of La Habra;
* Marco Diaz, 31, of Santa Ana, who was a leader of the Ojeda Organization;
* Jose Becerra, 38, of Placentia, the third leader of the Ojeda Organization;
* Rafael Torres, 31, of Santa Ana;
* David Melgoza Jr., 37, of Santa Ana;
* Anthony Lebron, 40, of Santa Ana;
* Ramon Meza Jr., 31, of Santa Ana;
* Abraham Magallon, 29, of Placentia;
* Jose Arvizu, 31, of Anaheim;
* Oscar Ruiz, 25, of Santa Ana;
* Jose Ruiz, 25, of Santa Ana;
* Ismael Esquivel, 49, of Anaheim;
* Mario Saucedo, 29, of Santa Ana;
* Orlando Alvarado, 22, of Santa Ana;
* Freddie Ojeda, 48, of Santa Ana; and
* Frank Nerida, 35, of Anaheim.
* The RICO charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
* Count two of the indictment alleges a conspiracy to distribute narcotics. This count charges six members of the Ojeda Organization and 13 others who are not part of that enterprise. The narcotics conspiracy count charges Peter Ojeda, Diaz, Magallon, Arvizu, Oscar Ruiz, Saucedo, and:
* David Trujillo, 32, of Santa Ana;
* Arthur Duran, 34, of Garden Grove;
* Robert Ocampo, 29, of Anaheim;
* Freddie Luevano, 36, of Santa Ana;
* Abel Azevedo, 34, of Santa Ana;
* Joseph Castro, 35, of Foothill Ranch;
* Lawrence Morales, 35, of Anaheim;
* Long Nguyen, 29, of Orange;
* Robert Cervantes, 30, of Santa Ana;
* Jose Martinez, 31, of Santa Ana;
* Sandra Flores, 29, of Santa Ana;
* Diego Moreno, 39, of Fullerton; and
* Mia Rodriguez, 25, of Orange.
* The drug trafficking conspiracy charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison.
* Count 3 of the indictment charges Peter Ojeda alone with distribution of methamphetamine, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could bring a sentence of up to life in prison.
* A list detailing which defendants were arrested, are in custody and are considered to be fugitives was made available at today's press conference.
* An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
* The defendants arrested this morning will be making their initial court appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. Federal prosecutors intend on seeking writs for the defendant who are in state court custody to remove them to federal custody.
* "The City of Santa Ana and the County of Orange are very grateful to the Task Force for making our community a much safer place," said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.
* This case is the product of a two-year investigation by the Santa Ana Gang Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Santa Ana Police Department; special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and investigators with the California Department of Corrections.
They are just doing jobs Americans won't do.
It will all be okay when we give them amnesty/guest worker status/de facto citizenship.
* A list detailing which defendants were arrested, are in custody and are considered to be fugitives was made available at today's press conference.
Do you (or anyone else) have any more info on this?
The problem is the criminal "businessmen" who hire the illegals, and the corrupt politicos who turn a blind eye to the crime. But it looks like the worm is turning, and the public is no longer fooled by charges of racism, xenophobia, and all the other name calling of the open border lobby.
We can look forward to the day when these crooks get RICOed. Well, some of us can. Those who might find themselves in hot water for lawbreaking might not agree.
Now we can pay for their lawyers, courts & police, healthcare needs (tattoo removal ?), exercise programs, special diets, prison construction, guards, education/rehab counseling, computers/Internet DSL service-- and nearly forgot HBO, Showtime and the Sports Channels.
That's by design, but Special Order 40 (avoid illegals whenever possible lest the paperwork mountain fall upon thee) is on purpose. Cops in California aren't even sure of what firearms they can own, thanks to too many contrary/conflicting laws and judicial decisions. They deserve a government worth upholding.
Two dozen arrested...only 148,432 left to collar. We're on a roll; by Christmas, we'll have another 30 or so of these malcontents off the streets.
Quick, before the next million stroll over the border this year. California is absolutely invaded and can't take any more.
Looks like Vic Mackey is on the loose!
The feds did target mostly white biker gangs in northern California and the Northwest in general. They were doing the same stuff, running drugs and guns and other RICO violations.
Pay for who? Everyone uses these facilities you mention. Is it not the job of the US government to provide these (sometimes unneeded) amenities?
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