Four Indicted in Undercover Investigation

OMAHA, Neb. – The United States’ Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Omaha Police Department announced today four defendants have been charged with federal crimes following a five month undercover investigation. The announcement follows the defendants’ initial appearances today in U.S. District Court.

Three of the defendants were charged in a seven count indictment. Manuel Menchaca, also known as “Jose Hector Rodriguez” and “Rooster”, age 36; Jorge Montejano, also known as “El Paso”, age 31; and Francisco Sanchez-Gastelum, also known as “Poncho”, age 40, were charged with distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Menchaca and Montejano were also indicted on three counts of being felons in possession of firearms. Jamie Cedillo, age 35, was charged in a separate one count indictment for being a felon in possession of firearms. During the undercover investigation, investigators purchased or seized a total of six firearms and over 4 ½ pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of over $110,000. The six firearms include a Norinco, Model SKS, 7.62 caliber rifle; a Hi Point, Model 995, 9mm caliber rifle; and two Glock pistols.

The investigation was a joint effort between ATF and the Omaha Police Department’s Narcotics Unit. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Gun Traffickers Arrested in Stockton After Selling Guns to ATF Undercover Agents

STOCKTON, Calif. – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), San Francisco Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Scot Thomasson announced Dennis William Estes and Kevin John Webber were arrested Friday morning in Stockton, CA after conspiring to manufacture and sell firearms without a license to ATF undercover agents Friday, Feb. 24.

Estes 37, a resident of Modesto and has been charged with six counts of dealing firearms without a license, six counts of being a felon being in possession of a firearm, two counts of possessing a machine gun and silencer, and conspiracy to commit a federal crime. Webber 35, resident of Lathrop has been charged with one count of aiding and abetting the dealing of firearms without a license and conspiracy to commit a federal crime.

Beginning in November 2011 to February 2012, ATF conducted a proactive firearms trafficking investigation and made undercover purchases of numerous firearms from Estes including two suspected Machine Guns, AR 15 Type Weapons, AK-74 Rifle, silencer, as well as other long guns and hand guns, and approximately 450 rounds of .223 ammunition. Webber aided and abetted the dealing of firearms without a license. Estes attempted to purchase an M-60 Machine Gun on Friday during the pre-arranged undercover meet with ATF undercover agents just prior to his arrest. After Estes was taken into custody ATF seized eight additional firearms, and alleged controlled subtances. Subsequent to the service of a search warrant at Estes' residence ATF located and seized several more firearms.

The two appeared Monday in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, CA. on a criminal complaint alleging the above mentioned violations. Estes is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not 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. This investigation was conducted by the ATF, and Task Force Officers from Stockton Police Departments, and the Stanislaus District Attorney's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms violations. More information on ATF can be found at ATF.gov

Smithboro Man Sentenced to 498 Months for Production and Possession of Child Pornography

Darrell L. Stewart, Jr., 42, of Smithboro, IL, received a forty year sentence following his plea of guilty to three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Upon release from imprisonment, Stewart will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life, will be subject to a search condition, and will be required to register as a sex offender. Stewart was also ordered to pay a $400 fine, a $400 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $2,000.

“Darrell Stewart is every parent’s nightmare and every child’s ‘monster in the closet.’ As a result of this investigation and prosecution he won’t be able to harm a child for at least 41 and one half years. Even if he does live to see the end of his prison term, he will be on supervised release and closely monitored for the rest of his life,” said United States Attorney Wigginton. “Our office has aggressively pursued those persons who target children for their depraved desires. In the last year alone we have successfully prosecuted six defendants who engaged in the production of child pornography and they received sentences ranging from a low of thirty years to a high of fifty years in prison. And, we will never cease our efforts to protect our children,” added United States Attorney Wigginton.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation began its investigation when an agent conducted an undercover investigation on a peer to peer file sharing network and discovered that Stewart was distributing child pornography. The FBI executed a search warrant at Stewart’s home and seized a large quantity of electronic equipment. Forensic examination revealed 1,181 child pornography videos, 1,697 still images of child pornography, and 17 pairs of boys underwear in sizes as small as 3T. Stewart had produced some of the child pornography, including a movie which depicted him having sex with a minor. Stewart has been in custody since July 6, 2011. In interviews with the FBI, Stewart admitted to having a sexual interest in children dating back to the 1990s.

At the time of the commission of the child pornography offenses, Stewart was serving a federal term of supervised release following a conviction for Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Following a finding that he had violated the terms of supervised release for possessing, transporting, distributing, and producing child pornography, Stewart was ordered to serve an additional 18 month term of imprisonment, resulting in a total sentence of 498 months.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Vienna Police Department and Illinois Secretary of State Police, both of which agencies have dedicated officers to the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, in which the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement authorities, is actively investigating and prosecuting individuals who are involved in the exploitation of children. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton and Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne M. Garrison.

Felon Sentenced to More Than 36 Years for Armed Robbery of Undercover Detective

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that U.S. District Judge John E. Steele today sentenced Eddy Luis Jose Estrella (26, Fort Myers) to 36½ years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery affecting commerce, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, distribution of Oxycodone, and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence. The court also ordered Estrella to forfeit firearms and ammunition used in the offenses.

Estrella was found guilty by a federal jury on November 10, 2011.

According to testimony presented at trial, Estrella distributed Oxycodone to an undercover Lee County Sheriff’s Office detective on January 20, and 27, 2011. Estrella was armed with a firearm during the drug transactions. Following the transaction on January 27th, Estrella offered to sell the detective a firearm. Estrella left and returned with the firearm. While showing the detective the firearm, co-defendant Miguel Angel Martinez (27, Fort Myers) approached the vehicle, and with the assistance of Estrella, robbed the detective at gunpoint. Both Estrella and Martinez were convicted felons at the time of the robbery and were prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Cape Coral Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jesus M. Casas and Jeffrey F. Michelland.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program – a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Virginia O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Child Predator Arrested

ATLANTA—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin announces, on behalf of the its FBI-led Safe Child Task Force, the following arrest at Alpharetta, Georgia, which occurred this morning, Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

Michael A. Isacson, age 66, of Manteno, Illinois, was arrested without incident by FBI agents and task force officers, to include substantial assistance by the Alpharetta Police Department, after allegedly traveling from Illinois to Alpharetta, Georgia in an effort to have sex with a “minor child.” Isacson had come to the attention of undercover law enforcement agents during online conversations over the Internet.

Isacson has been charged via federal criminal complaint with the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor child and will have an initial appearance in front of a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Atlanta, Georgia later this afternoon.

The public should be reminded that the above are mere allegations and that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Two Fort Myers Men Indicted for Robbery of an Undercover Lee County Detective

Fort Myers, Florida — United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Eddy Luis Jose Estrella (age 25, Fort Myers) and Miguel Angel Martinez (age 27, Fort Myers) with multiple felonies relating to a robbery of an undercover Lee County Sheriff’s Office detective. Estrella is charged with distribution of oxycodone within 1000 feet of a playground, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to the distribution of oxycodone, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, conspiracy to affect commerce by robbery, robbery affecting commerce, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a robbery. If convicted on all counts, Estrella faces a mandatory minimum period of 32 years up to a maximum of Life in federal prison. Martinez is charged with conspiracy to affect commerce by robbery, robbery affecting commerce, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a robbery, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a robbery, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Martinez faces a mandatory minimum period of 7 years up to a maximum of Life in federal prison. The indictment also notifies that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition alleged to be involved in the offenses and any property which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses or which facilitated the commission of the offenses.

According to the indictment, Estrella allegedly distributed oxycodone within 1000 feet of Schandler Hall Park in Lee County, on January 20th and 27th, 2011. Estrella and Martinez are also alleged to have attempted to rob an undercover Lee County Sheriff’s Office detective, on January 27, 2011, of oxycodone and cash that was to be used by the detective to purchase a firearm. Estrella and Martinez are alleged to have used and carried firearms during and in relation to the distribution of oxycodone (Estrella) and the robbery of the undercover detective (Estrella and Martinez). Both Estrella and Martinez are alleged to have been convicted felons at the time of the possession of the firearms on January 20th and 27th, 2011, and therefore prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Detectives of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jesus M. Casas and Jeffrey F. Michelland.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program – a nationwide, gun–violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Virginia O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Tampa Field Division, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Mexican National Receives 70-Month Prison Sentence for Narcotics Trafficking Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE—Earlier today in federal court in Albuquerque, Erik Alonzo-Martinez, 28, was sentenced to a 70-month term of imprisonment for his narcotics trafficking conviction. Alonzo-Martinez, a citizen of Mexico, will be deported after he completes his prison sentence.

United States Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Alonzo-Martinez and his two co-defendants, Jorge Lozoya, 26 and Alejandro Alvarado-Aleman, 27, were arrested as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New Mexico State Police (NMSP) during which an undercover NMSP officer purchased cocaine and cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, from Alonzo-Martinez and his co-defendants.

The three defendants were arrested on narcotics trafficking offenses on September 17, 2009 and have been in federal custody since that time. They were indicted in a five-count indictment on October 8, 2009 charging them as follows: Count 1 charged all three men with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine; Counts 2 and 3 charged Alonzo-Martinez and Lozoya with distributing more than five grams of cocaine base on August 21, 2009 and September 3, 2009, respectively; and Counts 4 and 5 charged all three men with possession of more than five grams of cocaine base and cocaine with intent to distribute.

Alonzo-Martinez entered a guilty plea to Counts 1, 2, and 3 on October 18, 2010 under a plea agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office. In his plea agreement, Alonzo-Martinez admitted selling two ounces of cocaine and two ounces of crack cocaine to an undercover officer in exchange for $4,000 on August 21, 2009 and September 3, 2009. Alonzo-Martinez also admitted that when he and his co-defendants were arrested on September 17, 2009, they were en route to deliver another two ounces of cocaine and two ounces of cocaine base to the undercover officer. The court dismissed Counts 4 and 5 of the indictment after sentencing Alonzo-Martinez.

Co-defendant Alvarado-Aleman pled guilty to Counts 4 and 5 on August 2, 2010, and was sentenced to a 30-month term of imprisonment on February 3, 2011. Co-defendant Lozoya pled guilty to Counts 2 and 3 of the indictment on August 11, 2010, and was sentenced to a 37-month term of imprisonment on February 28, 2011. Alvarado-Aleman and Lozoya are both citizens of Mexico and each will be deported when he completes his prison sentence.

The case was investigated by the FBI and NMSP, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jon K. Stanford.

Tuba City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Methamphetamine

PHOENIX—Windy Whirlwindsoldier, 33, of Tuba City, Ariz. was sentenced on March 21, 2011 to 42 months in federal prison by the Honorable Paul G. Rosenblatt, after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Five Grams or More of Actual Methamphetamine.

On April 14, 2010, Whirlwindsoldier, and her co-conspirator, Leola Dale Edison, sold methamphetamine to undercover officers at a hotel in Flagstaff. Whirlwindsoldier and Leola Dale Edison were amongst numerous suspected methamphetamine dealers who were targeted during a nearly two-year undercover operation which took place in the Tuba City area. Leola Dale Edison was previously sentenced on February 14, 2011, by the Honorable David G. Campbell to 46 months in federal prison after also pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Five Grams or More of Actual Methamphetamine. Following this undercover operation, police arrested 22 people on federal charges. Thirteen defendants have been sentenced, five defendants are awaiting sentencing, and trials are pending in the remaining four cases.

The investigation in these cases was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Drug & Gang Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Flagstaff Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBERS: CR-10-8093-PCT-PGR

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-047(Whirlwindsoldier)

Memorial for Agent Slain 15 Years Ago

A memorial ceremony was held yesterday in memory of the 15th anniversary of the death of Special Agent Charles L. “Chuck” Reed, who was shot and killed on March 22, 1996, while working undercover in a drug investigation in Philadelphia. Two of Reed’s sons are now special agents, both serving in Philadelphia.

On March 22, 1996, while working undercover, Reed met in his car in the parking lot of waterfront hotel with a reputed drug dealer. A gun battle ensued inside the car, and both the suspect and Reed were shot and killed.

Fed Undercover - Contract Killer; Weapons Dealer; Pedophile

On May 15, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Special Agent Bob Hamer, FBI (ret.) on his career as an undercover federal agent.

Program Date: May 15, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Fed Undercover - Contract Killer; Weapons Dealer; Pedophile
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile

About the Guest
Special Agent Bob Hamer, Federal Bureau of Investigation (ret.) spent 26 years as a “street agent” for the FBI; many of those years undercover. As an uncover agent he posed as a drug dealer, contract killer, fence, pedophile, degenerate gambler, weapons dealer, and white-collar criminal.

Bob Hamer worked undercover against such diverse groups as La Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia, Mexican Mafia, Russian Mafia, Asian organized crime groups, and Los Angeles-based street gangs. His successful infiltration of NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) resulted in the arrest of what one defendant called eight members of the “inner circle.” He received numerous awards throughout his career including the FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Service, four United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service, and numerous letters of commendation including one from then U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Bob Hamer is the author of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil.

According to the book description of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil, “Bob Hamer tells the story of his life as an undercover agent for the FBI posing as everything from a drug dealer to an aging pedophile. Looking back on a career rich in the kind of action that makes for great cinema, Hamer describes the challenges he endured as he stared the dark side of humanity in the face.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Law Enforcement Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530