Score:   1
Docket Number:   SD-CA  3:20-cr-02559
Case Name:   USA v. Gonzalez
  Press Releases:
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

San Diego, California

 

 

Acting United States Attorney

Alana W. Robinson

 

For Further Information, Contact:



Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matthew Sutton (619) 546-8941, Kyle Martin 546-8384,

Carol Lee 546-7584 and Michael Heyman 546-9615



For Immediate Release

 

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 1, 2017

SAN DIEGO – Ten federal indictments unsealed today charge 55 defendants with crimes ranging from money laundering to heroin, methamphetamine and firearms trafficking in what officials have described as one of the most significant crackdowns in recent memory.

 

The defendants, including prominent drug dealers and documented gang members, were responsible for supplying a substantial portion of the heroin and methamphetamine distributed in North County.

 

Early this morning, more than 150 members of the North County Regional Gang Task Force plus other law enforcement agencies made numerous arrests and during the course of the investigation searched more than 20 locations in Oceanside, Vista, elsewhere in North County and in Kingman, Arizona.

As of today at noon, 46 of the fifty-five defendants are either in federal or state custody. Fourteen were arrested this morning; the rest were arrested earlier in the week or were already in custody. Authorities are continuing to search for seven defendants; two are in Mexico. Many of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen S. Crawford at 2:00 p.m. today and tomorrow.

 

The yearlong investigation was led by the North County Regional Gang Task Force. It involved months of federal wiretaps, dozens of undercover drug and gun buys and extensive surveillance. Many of the defendants are documented members or associates of violent North County street gangs, including the Vista Home Boys, Varrio Fallbrook Locos, Varrio Carlsbad Locos, Encinitas Tortilla Flats, Varrio San Marcos and Escondido Viejo Diablos.

 

According to charging documents, the defendants were involved in a variety of crimes, including drug distribution, firearms trafficking, robberies, vehicle thefts, burglaries and assaults.

 





25 firearms including handguns, revolvers and assault rifles.







In total, authorities seized heroin, methamphetamine and 25 firearms, including handguns, revolvers and assault rifles. These drugs and guns were being stored and sold in our North County neighborhoods, including across the street from Vista High School.

 

The charging documents describe a trafficking organization allegedly led by a Mexico-based woman who used dozens of street gang members to distribute heroin. Defendant Yadira “Pini” Villalvazo attended Vista High School and was an associate of Vista Home Boys street gang before she was deported following a federal drug trafficking conviction in 2002. According to charging documents, Villalvazo is now running her own Sinaloa Cartel-linked organization from Tijuana. Her specialty is still heroin.

 

According to court records, this drug trafficking organization supplied at least 25 percent of the heroin sold and consumed in North County and grossed tens of thousands of dollars in proceeds that were sent back to Mexico. The Villalvazo network distributed heroin in North County and also supplied pound quantities of heroin to a prolific distribution ring in Kingman, Arizona.

 

During this investigation, the gang task force also targeted major methamphetamine distribution cells connected to North County street gangs, including rings allegedly led by Sabrina Yzaguirre, Ivan Bazan, aka “Dreamer,” and Jorge Enrique Jara Cervantes, aka “Scorpion.” In addition, the ring allegedly led by Jara shipped pound quantities of methamphetamine for distribution in Alabama and Tennessee.

 

Heroin deaths in San Diego County more than doubled in the last decade, from 40 in 2005 to 90 in 2015. And this is despite the use of naloxone, which first responders have used to save countless lives. In 2015 alone, paramedics used naloxone 1,340 times. Heroin treatment admissions have risen every year in San Diego County since 2011.











fugitives_no_worries.pdf 

Meth-related deaths increased more than 80% between 2011 and 2015. And about half of adults arrested in 2015 tested positive for meth at the time of their arrest.

 

“Today we’ve taken out one of North County’s largest heroin suppliers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson. “This crackdown is our most significant response to date to the heroin epidemic ravaging our communities. We anticipate seeing a huge impact now that these defendants are removed from our community, particularly in the North County cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and other areas plagued by gangs.”

 

“The Sheriff's Department is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to keep the influence of drugs and gangs away from our children and out of our community,” said San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore.

 

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum stated, “This investigation demonstrates the complex, international and multi-faceted nature of the gang threat in North County where heroin, methamphetamine and firearms related crimes threaten our communities. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners at the North County Regional Gang Task Force to restore these neighborhoods to the good citizens who live in them.”

 

Acting U.S. Attorney Robinson praised the task force for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. Agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Oceanside Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Bureau of Prisons, Homeland Security Investigations. U.S. Marshals Service, California Highway Patrol, and the Escondido and Carlsbad Police Departments collaborated on this investigation. Attorneys from the Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit, also provided critical assistance to the investigation.

 

This case is also the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

 

The United States is represented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton, Kyle B. Martin, Carol Lee, and Michael J. Heyman.

 

Operation No Worries Defendant Information

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0336-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Yadira Esmeralda Villalvazo,

aka “Pini”





38





Tijuana, MX





Andrea Ball





37





Vista, CA





Cristina Gomez





30





Vista, CA





Joel Villalvazo





25





Vista, CA





Joshua O’Brien





35





Fallbrook, CA





David Dominguez,

aka “Bandit”





36





Vista, CA





Tina Dominguez





35





Vista, CA





Fidel Jimenez





36





Oceanside, CA





Naomi Jimenez,

aka “Huera”





42





Vista, CA





Salvador Mendez





46





Fallbrook, CA





David Siladji





37





Vista, CA





Angel Serrato





55





Vista, CA





Alexander Mendoza





29





Carlsbad, CA





Rene Ramos





45





Kingman, AZ





Maria Sanchez





41





Kingman, AZ





Edivan Patino





27





Vista, CA





Richard Seffens





39





Poway, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Conspiracy to Import Heroin, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960, and 963;

Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 1956(a)(2)(B)(i) and (h);

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges, life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. For the money laundering charges, 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved.

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0337-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Andrea Ball





37





Vista, CA





Travis Hensley





36





Fallbrook, CA





Aaron McCune





36





San Marcos, CA





Vanessa Rojas





44





Vista, CA





Edward Araiza





42





Oceanside, CA



 

 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)

Maximum Penalties: For drug charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a 10 million dollar fine. For firearms charges: 10 years’ in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

 

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0338-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Javier Castrellon,

Aka “Javi”





53





San Marcos, CA





Manuel Espinoza,

Aka “Manny





48





Encinitas, CA





James Caruthers





54





Oceanside, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)

Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.

 

DEFENDANT Criminal Case No: 17CR0339-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Pedro Bret Cueva,

Aka “Largo

 





26





San Marcos, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)

Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a 10 million dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANT Criminal Case No: 17CR0340-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Julio Cesar Valverde,

Aka “Night Owl”

 





28





San Marcos, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1)

Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a 10 million dollar fine.

 

 

DEFENDANT Criminal Case No: 17CR0482-JAH



Name





Age





Hometown





Noe Rene Lugo

Aka “No-No,” “Wolfie”

 





33





Vista, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Dealing in Firearms Without a License in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 922(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)

Maximum Penalties: For firearms charges: 10 years’ in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0483-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Jose Alejandre-Ruvalcaba,

Aka “Scrappy”





42





Tijuana, MX





Kristina Lee Rozzo





43





Vista, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963.

Maximum Penalties: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a 10 million dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0484-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Ivan Bazan

Aka “Dreamer”





32





Vista, CA





Brhandon Puga





20





Chula Vista, CA





Matthew Ortiz





35





Chula Vista, CA





Cheytan Siva,

Aka “Hawk”





36





Vista, CA





Luis Gonzalez,

Aka “Knockout”





32





Vista, CA





James Mathes





32





Oceanside, CA





Eva Corona





33





Carlsbad, CA





Randy Moraleja





35





Escondido, CA





Brett Mooney





37





Oceanside, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

Maximum Penalties: For drug charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million dollar. For firearms charges: 10 years’ in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0485-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Jorge Enrique Jara Cervantes

Aka “Scorpion”





28





Vista, CA





Jaime Orozco





30





Vista, CA





Gabriele Solis





26





Vista, CA





Alex Camou





27





Vista, CA





Morgan Peterson





25





Carlsbad, CA





Keith Collins

Aka “Lurch





32





Oceanside, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

Maximum Penalties: For drug charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a 10 million dollar fine. For firearms charges: 10 years’ in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 17CR0487-LAB



Name





Age





Hometown





Sabrina Yzaguirre





28





Vista, CA





Roberto Recendez,

Aka “Grandpa”





54





Vista, CA





Eduardo Oretga,

Aka “Lalo”





25





Oceanside, CA





Antonio Becerra,

Aka “Thief”





30





Vista, CA





Kimberly Arenas





41





Escondido, CA





Manuel Guerena





37





Escondido, CA





Marco Vasquez

Aka “No-No”





24





Vista, CA





 





 





 





 





 





 





Johnny Molina-Bailon





34





Vista, CA





Santiago Rios,

Aka “Jimmy”





35





Vista, CA





Alex Camou





27





Vista, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846;

Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

Maximum Penalties: For drug charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. For firearms charges: 10 years in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

DEFENDANT Criminal Case No: 17MJ0467-NLS



Name





Age





Hometown





Linda Cowan

 





46





Oceanside, CA



 

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1);

Felon in Possession of a Firearm in in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2)

Maximum Penalties: For drug charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine. For firearms charges: 10 years in prison, and a 250,000 dollar fine.

 

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

AGENCIES

 

North County Regional Gang Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Oceanside Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Bureau of Prisons, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, California Highway Patrol, and the Escondido and Carlsbad Police Departments, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

 

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/136a9Awz_cTSMySNnce9jPIIydCMY6ZiDuTt1-z6GfYU
  Last Updated: 2023-12-14 01:42:36 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
Magistrate Docket Number:   SD-CA  3:20-mj-03200
Case Name:   USA v. Gonzalez
Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DM9rPwsIzHcyX1lxiJuKpgiy0W4wFk-iqYe0SGVlTM4
  Last Updated: 2023-10-29 14:08:22 UTC
Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: Case type associated with a magistrate case if the current case was merged from a magistrate case
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The docket number originally given to a case assigned to a magistrate judge and subsequently merged into a criminal case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a magistrate case
Format: A3

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
F U C K I N G P E D O S R E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E