FRESNO, Calif. — Following a year-long investigation
conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the
Federal Bureau of Investigation; the California Department of Justice’s Bureau
of Investigation, Special Operations Unit; the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement
Consortium (MAGEC); and the Fresno Police Department, targeting local criminal
street gangs in Fresno, 20 defendants were arrested today on federal charges
and another eight defendants were arrested on state charges. The various
charges include conspiracy to traffic illegally in firearms, illegal possession
and sales of firearms, drug trafficking, and promoting prostitution.
Phillip A. Talbert Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern
District of California; Jerry Dyer, Fresno Chief of Police; ATF Special Agent
in Charge Jill Snyder; FBI Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller, and
California Attorney General Kamala Harris made the announcement.
“Firearms trafficking is one of the most pressing issues
today,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder. “At ATF, our highest
priority is reducing violent crime within our communities. Firearms trafficking
leads to guns getting into the hands of violent criminals, gangs, drug
trafficking organizations and prohibited people. Operations, like the one
conducted today, make our neighbors safer by stopping the drivers of violence
in our communities. We would like to thank all of the agencies involved in this
operation for their hard work and dedication that made today a success.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert stated: “The seven indictments
and the arrests today are part of a strategic plan to maximize state and
federal resources to reduce gun violence in Fresno and keep its streets safe.”
“Gangs cannot be allowed to operate with impunity,
jeopardizing public safety and terrorizing communities in California,"
said California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. "I thank our California
Department of Justice Special Agents, as well as the Fresno Police Department,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
and Explosives, and the California Highway Patrol for working diligently and
collaboratively to keep our communities safe from violent crime.”
“Just as operation Dog Track served to dismantle the
notorious Dog Pound gang, Operation Slide Lock will serve to cripple the
Strother Boys gang,” said Chief Jerry Dyer. “I look forward to working with our
local, state, and federal law-enforcement partners as we prepare to focus on
the next targeted street gang.”
“Today’s arrests demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to helping
make Fresno a safer place to live,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Monica M.
Miller. “The FBI will continue to work with its state, local and federal
partners to aggressively pursue those who would traffic in illegal firearms in
our neighborhoods.”
The 17 federal defendants are charged as follows:
Dejohn Wiley, 22,
one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a
license, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a
license, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, 14 counts of
being a felon in possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of a
firearm in a school zone, and nine counts of distribution of methamphetamine;
Chris Wiley, 24,
one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a
license, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of
possession of a firearm in a school zone, and two counts of distribution of
methamphetamine;
Anthony Latimore,
21, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and
one count of distribution of methamphetamine;
Garry Sampson, 38,
one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a
license, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm;
Vonshay Robinson,
29, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms
without a license;
Rashawn Alkobadi,
22, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, one count of engaging in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, five counts of possession of a firearm in a school zone, and
two counts of distribution of methamphetamine;
Federico Garcia,
24, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, possession of a firearm in a school zone, and two counts of
distribution of methamphetamine.
Omar Gonzalez, 24,
one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine;
Darien Hatcher,
26, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine;
Charlie Stevenson,
31, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms
without a license, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm,
and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Jamar Johnson, 21,
one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing firearms without a
license, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count
of use of a cellphone to promote prostitution;
Khalif Campbell,
33, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute
cocaine base;
Raymond Jones, 60,
one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute
cocaine base;
Danny Valenzuela,
50, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute
cocaine base;
Anthony Thomas,
24, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm;
Devone Johnson,
30, one count of possession of a firearm after suffering a misdemeanor domestic
violence conviction;
Dione Singleton,
39, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of
possession of a firearm in a school zone, and one count of distribution of
cocaine base.
The following federal defendants were arrested today on
criminal complaints: Stephen Hill, 26, and Rashad Halford, 29, are charged with
using a cellphone to promote prostitution and using a cellphone to facilitate a
drug trafficking offense. Jesus Velazquez, 23, is charged with conspiracy to
engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license and possession of
an unregistered firearm. Darien Hatcher and Charlie Stevenson who were indicted
have also been charged by a criminal complaint along with Robert Gonzalez, 33,
for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
These federal cases are the product of an investigation by
the ATF, the FBI, the Fresno Police Department, MAGEC, the California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Fresno County District
Attorney’s Office, and the California Department of Justice, the California
Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit (SOU). The Special Operations Unit (SOU)
is a collaborative investigative effort between the California Department of
Justice and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that provides statewide
enforcement for combating violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime
groups, along with intrastate drug traffickers.
Also assisting today was the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office,
the Clovis Police Department, Fresno County Probation, and the California
Highway Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Christopher
D. Baker are prosecuting the cases.
If convicted the defendants face the following maximum
sentences: five years in prison for conspiracy to engage in the business of
dealing firearms without a license; five years in prison for engaging in the
business of dealing firearms without a license; 10 years in prison for being a
felon in possession of a firearm; 10 years in prison for possession of a
firearm after suffering a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction; five years
in prison for possession of a firearm in a school zone; 10 years in prison for
possession of an unregistered firearm; 20 years to life in prison for
conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
20 years to life in prison for distribution of methamphetamine; 20 years in
prison for distribution of cocaine base; 20 years in prison for conspiracy to
distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; 20 years in
prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and five years in
prison for use of a cellphone to promote prostitution.
Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion
of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the
Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until
and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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