Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Robinson (619) 546-7994 and Kareem Salem (619) 546-8904
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 20, 2018
SAN DIEGO, CA – Twenty-six people, many of whom are alleged members and associates of criminal street gangs and the Mexican Mafia prison gang, are charged in complaints unsealed today with participating in drug- and gun-related conspiracies, including one that alleges a kidnapping and armed robbery that was prevented by law enforcement.
About 228 firearms were seized from a home in Lakeside during the investigation, and law enforcement officials who were listening in on conversations via court-approved electronic surveillance were able to thwart the attempted kidnapping of a gang member known as “Grizzly from Palm City.”
This morning before dawn, a contingent of more than 200 local, state and federal law enforcement officials searched dozens of locations around the county looking for defendants, guns and drugs. As of 3 p.m. today, 20 defendants are in custody. During searches today and over the course of the yearlong investigation, authorities have seized seven pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of over $150,000. Six federal defendants are still at large, including Marla Caniglia, Christina Tovar, Farren Alcoser, aka “Sweetpea,” Soledad Mota, aka “Negra,” Tony Kiryakoza, and Candice Apra, aka “Babydoll.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 858-320-1800.
According to one complaint charging Robert Thomas Welsh, San Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Division executed a search warrant at Welsh’s residence on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside. They found multiple gun safes in various locations within the home, a total of 228 firearms including AR-15 assault rifles and guns with obliterated serial numbers, multiple high capacity magazines including a 50-round drum magazine, several firearm silencer devices, a “Glock switch” device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into an automatic pistol and multiple cases of ammunition.
According to another complaint, in June of 2018, agents participating in the investigation learned that defendants Fady Esho, Sergio “Shaggy” Sanchez and Jose “Chapo” Hernandez intended to assault, intimidate, rob at gunpoint and restrain the intended victim on behalf of the Mexican Mafia because they believed he stole a laptop and other items from a gang associate.
Esho, along with fellow defendants Sergio “Shaggy” Sanchez and Jose “Chapo” Hernandez, set out to do the bidding of the prison gang leaders. However, the San Diego Police Department’s Gang Suppression Team conducted a traffic stop of their Hummer as the three defendants were en route to the “hit.” The trio was arrested and officers seized four firearms and zip ties.
According to the complaint, Esho was carrying a loaded Sig Saur .40-caliber handgun in a concealed holster on his waist, along with two filled magazines in separate holsters. Esho also had multiple zip ties in his rear pants pocket. A search of the Hummer resulted in the seizure of an additional three firearms, all of which were loaded: A Ruger 9mm handgun was located between the front passenger seat and the console; a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun was located in a black bag in the rear seat; and a Ruger .22-caliber revolver was located under the driver’s floor mat.
In total, the defendants were charged in six complaints with various crimes, including racketeering, methamphetamine trafficking, felon in possession of firearms and other drug and gun offenses. According to the complaints, the gang members come from the following gangs: Otay Rasta Locos, Logan Heights Rep Steps, Encanto, Lomita, Logan Heights 30, Eastside, East County Blood, Lakeside Gangsters, Varrio Chula Vista and Pinoy.
“The seizure of hundreds of firearms is a very significant strike against gang violence in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. “Gang members live by a different set of norms, in a world where methamphetamine is a business and guns and violence are tools of the trade. Because of the strong partnerships between state, local and federal law enforcement, this operation is now closed.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John Brown stated, “Dismantling violent gangs is a continuing priority for the FBI. We share a long commitment with our law enforcement partners to address the dangerous threat facing our communities. Today's takedown demonstrates our focus and determination to strike at gang related enterprises and to eliminate the violence these groups inflict on our neighborhoods.”
The defendants had their initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes this afternoon. All defendants entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. Their next court appearance will be on September 25, 2018, for a hearing on the Government’s motion to have the defendants remain in custody pending trial.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 18mj4902
Robert Thomas Welsh
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 18, U.S.C. § 922(o)(1) – Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun
Maximum Penalty is 10 years in custody
Title 18, U.S.C. § 922(k) – Possession of a Firearm with Manufacturer’s Serial Number Removed and Obliterated
Maximum Penalty is 5 years in custody
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 18mj4979
Jesus Ramirez aka “Chuy”
Jorge Gonzalez aka “Lonely”
Chans Milstead
Christopher Risdon
Alan Rohrback Jr.
Brian Allen
Victoria Villa
Ricky Felizmena
Farren Alcoser
Soledad Mota aka “Negra”
Candace Apra aka “Babydoll”
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841 (a)(1) and 846
Maximum Penalty, based on alleged drug amounts: Up to life in prison; 10 year mandatory minimum
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 18mj4978
Jesus Ramirez aka “Chuy”
Jose Hernandez aka “Chapo”
Fady Escho
Dale Chaney
Keleli Gaylord
Tony Kiryakoza
David Gautreau
Marla Caniglia
Christina Tovar
Sara Beamer
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841 (a)(1) and 846
Maximum Penalty, based on alleged drug amounts: Up to life in prison; 10 year mandatory minimum
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 18mj4977
Fady Esho
Sergio Sanchez
Jose Hernandez
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1959
Maximum Penalty, based on the underlying racketeering crimes: Up to three years in prison
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 14mj4972
Sammy Harold Baugues
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)
Maximum Penalty is 10 years in custody
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Section 841(a)(1)
Maximum Penalty is 20 years in custody
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 18mj4971
Veronica Ojeda
Aimee Chavira
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 841 (a)(1) and 846
Maximum Penalty, based on alleged drug amounts: Up to life in prison; 10 year mandatory minimum
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Violent Crimes Gang Task Force
Task Force agencies include:
FBI, ATF, DEA, BOP, USPIS, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, San Diego District Attorney's Office, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff's Department, National City Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, La Mesa Police Department, El Cajon Police Department and Federal Bureau of Prisons- Joint Intelligence Sharing Initiative.
*A complaint is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
