ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Steven J.
Bogdalek and Anaheim Police Chief John Welter today announced the conclusion of
a joint investigation dubbed Operation Halo, which has resulted in the arrest
of defendants who are charged with crimes ranging from drug trafficking to
homicide.
Operation Halo concluded this morning
when more than 100 law enforcement officers fanned out across Orange County to
target 49 defendants who now face criminal charges in either federal or state
court.
This morning’s operation stems from a
one-year investigation jointly conducted by the ATF and the Anaheim Police
Department (APD) into the criminal activities of career criminals and members
of a criminal street gang known as Eastside Anaheim. Today’s crackdown on the
Eastside gang is the latest example of how federal and local authorities have
come together to fight the most entrenched street gangs.
Eleven defendants were taken into
custody on federal narcotics. A federal grand jury on Wednesday issued 11
indictments that name a total of 15 defendants. This morning, 11 of those
federal defendants, most of who face charges related to the sale of
methamphetamine, were taken into custody and expected to be arraigned
throughout the day in United States District Court. Three of the defendants
named in the indictments were already in custody.
Throughout this investigation,
informants and undercover law enforcement personnel purchased 38 firearms and
approximately one pound of methamphetamine. An additional two firearms and 10
pounds of methamphetamine were also seized from the streets of Anaheim during
enforcement activities stemming from the undercover operation. The firearms
recovered during Operation Halo include “sawed-off” shotguns, assault-style
weapons and semi-automatic handguns.
During this morning’s enforcement
activities, authorities seized one additional firearm, a quantity of
methamphetamine, one explosive device other drugs, and cash. “ATF and its
federal and local partners are dedicated to pursuing and combating those career
criminals whose violent criminal activities threaten and severely detract from the
welfare of our communities,” said Steven J. Bogdalek, Special Agent in Charge of
the ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division. “It is essential that federal law
enforcement continue to work in conjunction with local agencies to ensure that
these criminals are removed from the communities. Today we have demonstrated
that this mission is serious, and that with time and continued efforts it can
be accomplished.”
This morning’s roundup involved officers
with the APD and special agents with the ATF. The following agencies provided
assistance during this morning operation: the Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the
Orange Police Department, the Placentia Police Department, the Buena Park
Police Department, the Tustin Police Department, the Garden Grove Police
Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, the
Irvine Police Department, and the region gang task forces in Orange County.
Criminal indictments and complaints
merely contain allegations and do not offer evidence of guilt. A defendant is
entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.
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