Mexican National Admits Murdering Couple and their Unborn Child During Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

SAN DIEGO – Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, an undocumented Mexican national living in Yakima, Washington, admitted in federal court today that he murdered a man and his six-months-pregnant wife while they were engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to his plea agreement, Madrigal-Birrueta and coconspirators fatally shot 44-year-old Cesar Murillo multiple times in the back of the head and the torso on August 28, 2022, during an argument. The shooting took place at a remote ranch outside of Yakima. Madrigal-Birrueta’s co-conspirators then buried the victim’s body near the ranch at Madrigal’s direction.

On September 2, 2022, Madrigal-Birrueta persuaded Murillo’s wife, Maira Hernandez, 33, who was unaware of her husband’s death, to come to the ranch by claiming her husband was waiting for her there. She agreed, and the defendant picked up Hernandez in Yakima and drove her to the ranch.

According to admissions in his plea agreement, when the visibly-pregnant Hernandez arrived at the ranch, the defendant’s coconspirators shot her multiple times in the head. Madrigal-Birrueta and his coconspirators then buried Hernandez near the ranch. The child died in utero when Hernandez was shot, killed and buried.

Madrigal-Birrueta admitted the murders were committed while he was engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The plea agreement said Madrigal-Birrueta’s coconspirators owed money to the couple for an unpaid drug debt.

Madrigal-Birrueta is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2026.

The superseding indictment also charges Ricardo Orizaba-Zendejas with being an accessory after the fact to murder and a co-conspirator in Madrigal’s drug trafficking organization. Orizaba-Zendejas is set for trial beginning October 27, 2025

According to court filings, the investigation originated with the seizure of drugs from vehicles entering the United States through San Diego area ports of entry between August and October of 2021. By August of 2022, the investigation led agents to a group of individuals operating out of Yakima. Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) interviewed Murillo and Hernandez. Within days of those interviews, Murillo and Hernandez were murdered and their bodies buried at the Yakima ranch in the high desert. Court filings describe how these charges followed an exhaustive, years’ long investigation that employed geophysicists, ground penetrating radar, aircraft, laser imaging, chemical testing of the soil, numerous cadaver dogs, and other law enforcement techniques to search for the victims’ remains. HSI Special Agents successfully recovered the remains on September 13, 2023, aided by a Washington State Police Crime Scene Investigations team.

During the investigation agents seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, multiple firearms — including a machine gun — and body armor from Madrigal-Birrueta’s drug trafficking organization, to include the Yakima ranch.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Wong, Alexandra Foster, Mario Peia and Brandon Kimura.

DEFENDANTS                                   Case Number 23cr1684-RBM                                    

Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta                  Age: 22                        Yakima, WA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 4: Murder of Cesar Murillo in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy – Title 21, United States Code, Section 848(e)

Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years and up to life, or death

Count 5: Murder of Maira Hernandez in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy – Title 21, United States Code, Section 848(e)

Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum twenty years and up to life, or death

Count 9: Causing the Death of a Child in Utero – Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1841 and 1111.

Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum life in prison or death

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington State Police

California Highway Patrol

Yakima Police Department

Tulare County Sheriff’s Office

Visalia Police Department

Fresno Sheriff’s Office

Fresno Police Department

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

DEA Dismantles MS-13 Cell in Nashville

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners successfully dismantled an MS-13 cell operating within Nashville, Tennessee.

After a 9-month investigation, a series of court-authorized search warrants were conducted this morning throughout the metropolitan Nashville area, resulting in the arrests of at least 17 members and associates of MS-13 across three states, including Tennessee, California, and Oklahoma. In addition, investigators also seized bulk quantities of marijuana, counterfeit pills, cocaine, THC vapes, liquid psilocybin, and multiple firearms, including assault rifles.

“These arrests represent a critical milestone in DEA’s mission to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in the United States and around the globe – prioritizing those designated by President Trump as Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “MS-13 has left a trail of violence and devastation across communities nationwide. The residents of Nashville are safer today now that these dangerous individuals will be held accountable for their destructive actions. Today’s enforcement actions are not the last. More will follow, and we will not stop until MS-13 is no longer able to inflict harm on our communities.”

“The actions taken today against MS-13 are the first of what will be many strikes against those who prey on the weak in our society,” said Louisville Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners will not allow foreign terrorist organizations to operate in our communities. We will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”

MS-13 is a violent international criminal gang that emerged in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Over the years, it has expanded its influence, establishing strongholds in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, while infiltrating communities across all fifty U.S. states. Fueled by its deep involvement in the illegal drug trade, MS-13 is notorious for its ruthless tactics, including extortion, human trafficking, assault, and murder, to maintain control over its territory. With thousands of members operating within the United States, MS-13 remains a public safety and national security threat.

We encourage anyone with information about MS-13 or other criminal organizations to report tips anonymously through the DEA Tip Line.

Today’s operation was made possible through the collaboration of DEA’s Louisville Field Division with Army Criminal Investigation Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; Tennessee Highway Patrol; local Tennessee drug task forces 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force and 19th Judicial Drug Task Force; and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Moving forward as part of a larger whole-of-government approach to dismantling drug trafficking organizations and protecting U.S. communities, DEA is committed to working with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and other federal partners to ensure current and future operations advance broader U.S. efforts to combat designated terrorist organizations and transnational organized crime.

Unveiling the Spectrum of Crimes Perpetrated by Organized Crime Syndicates

Organized crime has long been a menacing force that thrives on illegal activities, power structures, and financial gain. These criminal enterprises operate with a high level of sophistication and coordination, engaging in a wide range of illicit activities that pose a significant threat to society. This article aims to shed light on the types of crimes commonly committed by members of organized crime, revealing the depth and diversity of their illegal endeavors.

Drug Trafficking:

One of the primary revenue streams for organized crime is drug trafficking. These criminal networks play a major role in the production, transportation, and distribution of illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and synthetic drugs. They exploit the global demand for narcotics, infiltrating legitimate businesses and employing complex networks to smuggle and distribute drugs across borders.

Money Laundering:

Organized crime syndicates generate enormous profits from their illicit activities, and they employ various methods to launder their ill-gotten gains. Money laundering involves disguising the illegal origins of funds through a series of transactions or activities, making it appear as legitimate income. This allows criminals to integrate their illicit funds into the legal economy, obscuring the money trail and facilitating further criminal activities.

Extortion and Protection Rackets:

Extortion is a common tactic employed by organized crime groups to generate income and maintain control. They target individuals, businesses, and even public officials, demanding protection payments in exchange for avoiding harm or securing business operations. These criminal syndicates use violence, intimidation, and the threat of harm to compel victims to comply with their demands, instilling fear and exerting control over specific territories.

Human Trafficking:

Organized crime is heavily involved in the lucrative and despicable crime of human trafficking. These criminal networks exploit vulnerable individuals, subjecting them to forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of modern-day slavery. They profit from the trafficking of men, women, and children across international borders, often through deception, coercion, and violence.

Cybercrime:

As technology continues to advance, so does the involvement of organized crime in cybercrime. These criminal networks employ skilled hackers, programmers, and fraudsters to orchestrate various cyber-enabled crimes. These may include identity theft, financial fraud, ransomware attacks, hacking into corporate systems, and trafficking stolen personal and financial information on the dark web.

Counterfeiting and Intellectual Property Theft:

Organized crime syndicates engage in counterfeiting, producing counterfeit currency, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals. They also play a significant role in intellectual property theft, pirating copyrighted material, such as movies, music, software, and designer products. This illicit trade undermines legitimate businesses, damages economies, and poses significant risks to consumer safety.

Arms Trafficking:

Organized crime groups are involved in arms trafficking, supplying weapons to various criminal networks, terrorists, and insurgent groups. They exploit global arms markets, utilizing smuggling routes to traffic firearms, explosives, and military-grade equipment. This illicit trade fuels violence, contributes to armed conflicts, and poses a threat to national security.

Conclusion:

The spectrum of crimes committed by members of organized crime is vast and far-reaching. From drug trafficking and money laundering to human trafficking and cybercrime, these criminal syndicates exploit various avenues to amass wealth and power. Understanding the types of crimes perpetrated by organized crime is crucial for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and society at large to effectively combat these criminal enterprises. By targeting their illicit activities, disrupting their financial networks, and promoting international cooperation, we can strive towards dismantling these criminal organizations and creating safer communities for all.

Southside York Gang Leader Enters Guilty Plea to Racketeering Conspiracy

HARRISBURG - A leader of the “Southside Gang” located in York, Pa. pled guilty to racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracy today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick in Scranton. According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, James Abney, a/k/a “Doocs”, age 29, of York, pled guilty as the parties prepare for a jury trial scheduled for September 21, 2015.

On September 17, 2014, a federal indictment was brought by a grand jury in Harrisburg charging 21 one members of the Southside Gang with racketeering and drug trafficking conspiracy. In the indictment, the Southside Gang is identified as an alleged criminal enterprise whose purpose is to protect its territory and power through intimidation, violence and threats, generate profits primarily through open-air drug dealing within its territory and violent crime, defend and retaliate on behalf of gang members, and assist members through retaliation against witnesses and thwarting efforts of law enforcement.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Essam E. Rabadi, the racketeering conspiracy indictment was the result of a two-year combined investigation by ATF, York City Police Department and the York County District Attorney’s Office with participation by the Pennsylvania State Police, West York Borough Police Department, Spring Garden Township Police Department, the York County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio, William Houser, Joseph Terz, and Daryl Bloom are prosecuting the case. The names of those charged in the indictment are listed at the end of this release. They all were held in custody pending trial.

According to the indictment, all 21 men allegedly are or have been members or participants in the Southside Gang, which operated in the southern area of the City of York. The center of the alleged gang area is near Maple and Duke Streets in York, a location locally known as “the Jungle.”

The gang allegedly functions through an organized structure, including senior leaders, drug traffickers engaged in narcotics distribution; and “shooters,” who commit violent acts on behalf of the gang and to protect each other. Order is allegedly maintained through intimidation, threats, violence and, in some cases, murder.

The indictment alleges that defendant James Abney has been a principal leader and organizer, along with six other indicted individuals. The indictment also alleges that the Southside Gang includes a group of violent drug traffickers, originally affiliated with the “Bloods,” primarily a New York-based national violent street gang.

The indictment alleges criminal acts involving violence against a rival York gang, called “Parkway,” allegedly resulting in deaths of members of both gangs and innocent bystanders. Southside Gang members allegedly distribute illegal drugs, mainly crack cocaine, as a major part of the criminal enterprise’s business and used and possessed firearms to protect the drugs.

Many Southside gang members have been investigated and prosecuted by York and York County law enforcement agencies for years as individual cases. The federal prosecution aims at dismantling the organization by exposing and attacking its ongoing structure and leadership. The federal investigations of gang violence and drugs in York are continuing in full cooperation with local police and the York County District Attorney’s Office.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty James Abney faces is 25 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

Name and Street Name                Age

Rolando Cruz, a/k/a “Mico”         29

Marc Hernandez, a/k/a “Marky D”           29

Douglas Kelly, a/k/a “Killer”         36

Roscoe Villega, a/k/a “P Shawn”               40

James Abney, a/k/a “Doocs”      28

Tyree Eatmon, a/k/a “Ree”         26

Jahkeem Abney, a/k/a “Foo”     24

Maurice Atkinson, a/k/a “Mo”   27

Anthony Sistrunk, a/k/a “Kanye”              26

Cordaress Rogers, a/k/a “Tank”                 28

Eugene Rice, a/k/a “B Mor”         26

Angel Schueg, a/k/a “Pocko”      24

Marquis Williams, a/k/a “Quis” 26

Jalik Frederick, a/k/a “Murder Cat”          21

Brandon Orr, a/k/a “B Or”            22

Malik Sturdivant, a/k/a “Base”   22

Jabree Williams, a/k/a “Minute”               23

Ronald Payton, a/k/a “Ron Ron”               22

Jerrod Brown, a/k/a “Boogie”    25

Quintez Hall, a/k/a “Q” 21

Richard Nolden, a/k/a “Rich”      24

Federal Jury Convicts Three More Members of Pueblo Bishops Bloods in L.A.’s First Racketeering Prosecution Targeting a Bloods Gang

LOS ANGELES—Three more members of the Pueblo Bishops Bloods, a long-entrenched criminal street gang that used violence and intimidation in an attempt to control the Pueblo del Rio housing projects in South Los Angeles, have been found guilty of federal racketeering, narcotics, and gun charges.

Yesterday’s convictions come in the first federal criminal RICO action brought against a Bloods street gang in Southern California.

Following a four-week trial in United States District Court, a jury yesterday afternoon convicted the three defendants of being members of a criminal enterprise that engaged in narcotics and firearms trafficking, murder, witness intimidation, and armed robbery as part of the gang’s efforts to terrorize the housing projects.

The three defendants found guilty yesterday of violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act are:

■Kevin Eleby, also known as “L,” 48, of Los Angeles;

■Jason Davis, also known as “Lil’ G-Red,” 26, of Los Angeles; and

■Rashaad Laws, also known as “Big Time,” 35, who resided in Los Angeles and Culver City.

In addition to the RICO charge, Eleby was convicted of being responsible for a gun possession related to a shooting that occurred inside the projects on September 11, 2009. This shooting, committed by several other Pueblo Bishop gang members, targeted the residence of a rival gang member but, at the time of the shooting, only the rival gang member’s mother and 11-year-old brother were inside.

In addition to the RICO charge, Davis was convicted of a possessing a sawed-off .22-caliber rifle in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy. During this offense, Davis led police on a high-speed chase through the projects, almost hitting a child, and ultimately crashing into a minivan as he unsuccessfully sought to elude capture.

In addition to the above charges, Eleby, Davis, and Laws were convicted of conspiracy to distribute significant quantities cocaine and crack cocaine. Eleby was also convicted of possession with intent to sell cocaine. Davis was also convicted of drug trafficking within a public housing project, and near schools and playgrounds.

As a result of their convictions, Eleby and Davis face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, and they could be sentenced to life without parole. Laws faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and he faces a potential life sentence. All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge S. James Otero on February 4, 2013.

The jury that returned the guilty verdicts deadlocked on whether Eleby possessed a second firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

The federal racketeering case targeting the Pueblo Bishops Blood criminal enterprise is a result of a long-standing partnership between the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department, a relationship that is maintained through the FBI’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs. This task force is one of dozens of such partnerships throughout the United States, known as Safe Streets Task Forces, funded for the purpose of assisting local police in identifying and addressing violent crime in America.

A total of 46 defendants were charged as a result of the investigation targeting the Pueblo Bishops Bloods (see initial announcement in this case at: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cac/Pressroom/pr2010/122.html). With yesterday’s guilty verdicts, 42 of those defendants have now been convicted (see, for example: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cac/Pressroom/2012/046.html). One federal defendant is currently is state custody facing a murder charge, two are fugitives suspected to be in Mexico, and prosecutors dismissed charges against one defendant.

On July 16, 2012, three other Pueblo Bishop Blood defendants were convicted by a separate jury of federal racketeering and drug charges, with one defendant also being convicted for conspiring to murder a man who was killed after being shot in the back by Pueblo Bishops in front of his 2-year-old son (see: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cac/Pressroom/2012/094.html).

Out of the 42 defendants now convicted in this case, about half have been sentenced, receiving prison terms as long as 211 months.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Slidell Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Federal Drug Charges

NEW ORLEANS—Noah Gallien, age 57, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 10 years (120 months) in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count in a superseding Bill of Information for conspiracy to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base, or “crack,” announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Lemelle imposed eight years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.

According to court documents, Gallien conspired with others in the Slidell area prior to February 10, 2010 and continuing through September 29, 2010, to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base or crack. Numerous telephone calls between Gallien and a crack suppler were recorded pursuant to a court authorized wire-tap. In those calls, Gallien arranged for the purchase of crack from his supplier on several occasions. A total of eight men were indicated by the United States, including Gallien, in January 2011 and to date, all have pleaded guilty.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Sean Toomey.