Twenty-Three Arrested on Federal Charges as a Result of San Antonio Eastside Gang Violence Initiative

Six-Month-Long Operation Triple Beam Results in Approximately 700 Additional Arrests Based on State Charges

Twenty-three San Antonio gang members face federal charges in connection with a federal, state, and local law enforcement operation targeting Eastside gang violence.

That announcement was made jointly today by United States Attorney Robert Pitman, Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz, United States Marshal Robert Almonte, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Crisanto Perez, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Manuel Fernandez, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Armando Fernandez.

The operation, initiated in response to community outcry, focused on narcotics trafficking and violent acts committed by members of rival gangs including the East Terrace Gangster Crips, Crockett Blocc Crips, Wheatly Courts Bloods, Blood Stixx, Denver Heights Bloods, as well as other San Antonio area gangs operating on the city’s Eastside. During this operation, authorities have seized more than 70 firearms, approximately 38 kilograms of narcotics, and an estimated $85,500 in U.S. currency.

The 23 defendants, all listed below, are charged by either a federal grand jury indictment or criminal complaint filed since March 7, 2012. Federal charges include felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine, and maintaining a residence for the distribution of a controlled substance. State charges filed in connection with this investigation include: narcotics-related offenses, unlawful carrying of a firearm, and gang injunction violations.

This investigation was conducted by the San Antonio Police Department Gang Unit; Bexar County District Attorney’s Office; Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; Bexar County Adult Probation Office; United States Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; together with the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety-Narcotics Division; and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Operation Triple Beam arrests release:

Defendant—Age

Bal, Raja—27

Brock, Demetrius—35

Butler, Alvin—33

Farris, Robert—25

Fields, Tyronn—30

Fisher, Devonshae—18

Foster, Brian—27

Girela, Joshua—24

Hemphill, Emmanuel—26

Hemphill, Katherine—58

Johnson, Rodney—23

Johnson, Samuel—27

Losoya, Juan—28

Mackey, Antoine—29

Martinez, Michael—19

McHenry, Dominick—21

Miller, Glen—32

Minor, Milton—34

Molden, Travis—22

Phillips, Marcus—24

Robinson, Chris—34

Robinson-McClellan, Devon—22

Robinson-Tynes, Marcus—24