Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor REGION - A massive operation involving more than 500 law enforcement agencies helped to arrest nearly three dozen suspects involved with drug smuggling, extortion money laundering and more, authorities said.
83 people are named in two federal racketeering indictments unsealed Wednesday. Operation Dirty Thirds focused on the Mexican Mafia, which orchestrated the control of drug smuggling, narcotics sales and prisoner extortion in the Los Angeles County jail system, the Department of Justice announced. Pomona-area street gangs were also named in one of the indictments. Of those named, 35 are currently incarcerated in state prison or county jails. 16 suspects are fugitives authorities hope will be arrested in the near future, the DOJ said. Authorities allege a “criminal enterprise” led by the Mexican Mafia engaged in five large-scale activities:
The indictments allege efforts to violate Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations Act laws, the DOJ said. The indictments include a large amount of other charges, including carjacking; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana; distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; money laundering; possession of at least 15 access devices (credit card numbers); aggravated identity theft; and use, possession or discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. The FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, composed of FBI agents, Sheriff’s deputies, the Pomona Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, conducted a three-year investigation leading to today’s arrests and indictments. “Gang violence in the jails also spills over to the streets and adversely affects our communities,” said Paul Delacourt, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “This three-year investigation focused on players at all levels for their role in the conspiracy – from the shot-caller, to the secretary, to the dealer, to the smuggler. Today’s successful operation is a direct result of law enforcement partners working cooperatively at all levels of government.” The indictment focuses on a handful of key players who virtually operated what authorities called “an illegal government within LACJ custody facilities.” Mexican Mafia member Jose Landa-Rodriguez, 55, and two now dead LACJ inmates controlled the entire criminal enterprise within the confines of the jail system, the DOJ said, and exercised power with the help of “shot-callers” and other associates. Landa-Rodriguez allegedly sanctioned murders, a series of assaults, and the kidnapping and planned murder of the relative of a gang member who had defied him, the DOJ said. Luis Vega, 33, the second defendant in the indictment, allegedly ordered a murder and directed assaults against those who showed disrespect or failed to follow Mexican Mafia rules, the DOJ said. Key facilitator and practicing attorney Gabriel Zendejas-Chavez was among those arrested Wednesday. Zendejas-Chavez allegedly travelled between state prisons and county jails, to convey messages to Mexican Mafia members, providing names of those cooperating with law enforcement investigations. Zendejas-Chavez, from the Ontario area, is also accused of a plot to extort $100,000 from the Mongols motorcycle gang, the DOJ said. “Operation Dirty Thirds lifts the veil on only one aspect of the complicated factors behind inmate-on-inmate assaults and the dangers to our custody staff,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell. “Many assaults have been directed, and carried out, by the Mexican Mafia and are documented in this investigation that took more than four years.” The second RICO indictment focused on another criminal enterprise run by 61-year-old Michael Lerma, also known as “Pomona Mike,” a member of the Mexican Mafia who controlled and extorted drug proceeds from Pomona street gangs as well as from incarcerated Latinos in Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County. Lerma is accused of attempting to steal a Mercedes-Benz from another LACJ inmate. When the vehicle’s caretaker refused to give it up, the caretaker was shot by one of the defendants named in today’s indictment. In a second case, a woman was kidnapped by Lerma’s organization and was held for several days in exchange for extortion money. The woman was going to be murdered when law enforcement disrupted the plot, the DOJ said. “The Pomona community certainly suffered from the criminal acts of those indicted,” said Pomona Police Chief Michael Olivieri. “I am very pleased with the success of this long-term investigation, and I am looking forward to more collaboration with our law enforcement partners in future investigations.” If convicted, most of the defendants could be sentenced to decades in federal prison, and some could face life without parole, the DOJ said. |
Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|