U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $2.4M of Narcotics by Land and Sea

San Diego – Law enforcement officials intercepted three smuggling attempts over the last week in San Diego and Ventura Counties. Agents arrested 22 suspects and confiscated $2,404,185 in marijuana and methamphetamine. 

Tuesday at approximately 12:30 a.m., California National Guardsmen working in support of Customs and Border Protection alerted Border Patrol agents assigned to coastal enforcement duties of a panga landing near Deer Creek beach in Ventura County. Border Patrol agents responded to the scene and, through the collaborative efforts of several agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, California National Guard, California State Parks and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, arrested 20 suspected smugglers and confiscated 4,087 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $2,048,095. The 20 suspects, narcotics, and boat were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) for further investigation.

On Monday, at about 11:30 a.m., agents assigned to the Interstate 5 Border Patrol checkpoint encountered a 22-year-old male United States citizen driving a silver 2000 Mazda 626 and his 21-year-old male United States citizen passenger. Agents became suspicious of the men’s demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered four bundles of methamphetamine inside the trunk in plastic grocery bags. The methamphetamine weighed 12.02 pounds and had an estimated street value of $240,400. The suspected smugglers and narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

On June 8, at approximately 9:10 a.m., a Border Patrol K-9 team patrolling near the I-5 checkpoint stopped in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. As the agent exited the vehicle, his K-9 alerted to the trunk of a nearby silver 2011 Toyota Camry. A subsequent search of the trunk revealed nine bundles of marijuana. The bundles weighed 231.28 pounds and had an estimated street value of $115,690. The marijuana and vehicle were taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI for further investigation.

If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of Southern California, please contact the Sector San Diego U.S. Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operations Center at (800) 854-9834.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Weekend Enforcement Activity in Tucson Sector

Tucson, Ariz. — The following is a rundown of activities that occurred during the weekend within the Tucson Sector, a component of the Joint Field Command – Arizona. This is only a thumbnail of each incident and an invitation to contact the Tucson Sector Communications Division for more information.

Arrests

(DGL) Agents from the Douglas Station apprehended a 38-year-old Mexican male for illegally entering the United States on Friday. Record checks revealed he had been arrested and charged for cruelty to a child by the Ventura, California Sheriff’s Office in 2005. The man faces possible federal charges.

(AJO) Saturday, Ajo Station agents apprehended three Mexican males for illegally entering the United States. During processing, agents were able to reveal all three subjects had affiliations with the violent Sureño street gang. The subjects are facing removal from the U.S.

(DGL) Douglas Station agents apprehended a 25-year-old Mexican male for illegally entering the United States Saturday night. Record checks revealed he had a prior conviction for sexual assault in the state of Wisconsin in 2001. He now faces possible federal charges.

(DGL) Agents from the Douglas Station apprehended a 30-year-old Mexican for illegally entering the United States yesterday. Record checks revealed he had been arrested in Fairfax County, Va., in 2005 and charged with Attempted Rape. The man is being prosecuted for illegal re-entry and removed from the U.S.

Rescues

(NCO) Naco Station agents, along with Tucson Sector Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue agents, responded to a 911 call on Friday. The caller, a 31-year-old Mexican national, stated she was injured, lost and wished to turn herself in to the U.S. Border Patrol. Naco agents located the injured woman and conducted a medical evaluation. She was transported to a local medical facility for treatment and will be processed for removal following her release.

Customs and Border Protection appreciates assistance from the community. Suspicious activity can be reported by calling the U.S. Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Mr. Magoo Bandit Now Linked to 12 Bank Robberies, Sought Throughout California

An unidentified male bank robber who most recently held up a bank in Thousand Oaks, California, is being sought by the FBI and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, as well as multiple police departments throughout California who are investigating a total of 12 bank robberies now linked to the bandit.

Bank surveillance photographs of the bandit, nicknamed “Mr. Magoo,” had been released to the media previously and a new photo of the most recent bank robbery is now being released.

The bandit is described as a white male with a calm demeanor. During the robberies, the Mr. Magoo Bandit uses a note to demand cash and warns victim tellers that he does not want to receive bank security devices. In some cases, the bandit has even thanked the victim tellers for the cash. Victims have described the bandit as calm, and when seen leaving the bank on foot, does not appear to be nervous or even in a rush. The Mr. Magoo Bandit does not attempt to disguise himself whatsoever.

The “Mr. Magoo Bandit” is further described by witnesses as a white male in his 40s, approximately 200 lbs, with a medium build. He is balding, with short dirty blond hair and wears prescription glasses.

The most recent robbery occurred in Thousand Oaks, California, on Saturday, October 8, not far from a robbery in Camarillo that occurred on September 27. In the time period between the Thousand Oaks and Camarillo robberies, however, the Mr. Magoo Bandit was linked to a bank robbery in the San Francisco area on October 4. Investigators believe he travels long distances throughout California quite frequently, and that someone may recognize him at locations frequented by transients, including at a motel or gas station. Mr. Magoo is also linked to six additional bank robberies in the San Diego area, as well as a total of four in the San Francisco area. Combined with the two in the Los Angeles region, the Mr. Magoo Bandit has now been linked to 12 bank robberies throughout the state.

This investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI’s San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles Field Offices, as well as multiple local law enforcement partners throughout these regions.

Anyone with information as to the identity or whereabouts of the Mr. Magoo Bandit should contact the FBI 24 hours a day at the below-listed numbers, or by calling 911.

FBI San Francisco: 415-553-7400

FBI Los Angeles: 888-CANT-HIDE (888-226-8443)
FBI San Diego: 858-565-1255

Media Contact:

FBI San Francisco: Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn at 415-553-7450.
FBI Los Angeles: (310) 996-3343 (or Laura Eimiller’s cell: 310 420-6441)
FBI San Diego: Special Agent Darrell Foxworth at (858) 499-7810.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department: Captain Mike Aranda: (805) 654-2375

Former President of Ventura Hells Angels Chapter Arrested on Federal Extortion and Firebombing Charges

LOS ANGELES—The former president of the Ventura County Chapter of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang was arrested this morning on federal charges stemming from an extortion plot and the firebombing of two Ventura tattoo shops in 2007.

George Christie Jr., 64, of Ventura, was one of four defendants arrested this morning on federal conspiracy, extortion, and arson charges contained in a six-count indictment.

The indictment alleges that Christie, while the president of the Ventura County Chapter of the Hells Angels, conspired to threaten the owners of rival tattoo parlors in an effort to force them to close down their businesses. When the owners remained in business, Christie allegedly conspired to firebomb the businesses.

Christie is charged with three Hobbs Act extortion conspiracies, one count of conspiracy to use fire or explosive to damage property, and two counts of use of fire or explosive to damage property.

The three other defendants arrested this morning are:

■Kyle Douglas Gilbertson, 33, of Ventura;

■Benito Hurtado, 34, of Oak View; and

■Richard Reeves Russell III, 29, of Ventura.

Gilbertson, Hurtado, and Russell are named along with Christie in the first Hobbs Act extortion counts.

The indictment alleges that Christie, who was the owner of The Ink House in Ventura, conspired to confront the owners of two other tattoo parlors—Scratch the Surface, of Ventura, and Twisted Ink, of Ventura. The indictment specifically alleges that Christie intended for the confrontations to induce the owners of the rival tattoo parlors to shut down their businesses.

When the owners of Scratch the Surface and Twisted Ink kept their shops open for business despite the prior threats to shut down, Christie conspired to damage or completely destroy the businesses so they could no longer compete with Christie’s tattoo shop, The Ink House, according to the indictment.

Both Scratch the Surface and Twisted Ink were damaged on July 6, 2007 when Molotov cocktails were thrown into the businesses by individuals acting in furtherance of this conspiracy. At the time of the firebombings, Twisted Ink was located directly across the street from Ventura High School, while Scratch the Surface—housed in the same building as an occupied residence—was operating next to a preschool.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The three counts in the indictment that charge the Hobbs Act extortions each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The counts in the indictment that allege arson each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison. Therefore, if he is convicted of all six counts in the indictment, Christie would face a statutory maximum penalty of 120 years in federal prison.

Christie and the other three defendants arrested this morning are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department; and the Ventura Police Department.

CONTACT:

Assistant United States Attorney Kevin S. Rosenberg

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

(213) 894-4849

Assistant United States Attorney Jay H. Robinson

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

(213) 894-4138

Police Officers from California

November 19, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists over 800 state and local police officers who have written books. The website added four police officers from California.

Captain Jim Barrett (ret.) is an expert in the world of police horses. During his 30 year career in law enforcement he was a trainer, supervisor and the manager of one of the most successful mounted units in Southern California. During his tenure with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Mounted Enforcement Unit he has seen the unit grow from three original riders, increasing to 25 riders who work several hundred details each year.

Jim is one of the founding board members of the California Mounted Officers Association (CMOA); a statewide organization dedicated to the betterment of the mounted officer. Jim Barrett is the author of two books Steady Your Spooky Horse and A Manual for the Mounted Police.

According to the book description of Steady Your Spooky Horse, “Here are the stimulus training methods used by mounted police officers to teach their horses to face any situation. When this training is competently done, it works, and that is proven every day of the week by the thousands of police horses successfully working the streets throughout the world.”

Dr. A.C. Germann, Professor Emeritus, Department of Criminal Justice, California State University, Long Beach was a Los Angeles Police Department police officer before pursuing an academic career. He is responsible for founding the Police Science program at California State University, Long Beach and is the author of three books: Introduction to Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice; Police Personnel Management; and, Police Executive development.

Arthur W. Sjoquist and Thomas G. Hays are retired Captains from the Los Angeles Police Department as well as members of the Los Angeles Police Department Historical Society Board. They are co-authors of a pictorial look at the Los Angeles Police Department.

According to the book description of Images of America: Los Angeles Police Department, “No police force in history has gained as much fame and notoriety as the Los Angeles Police Department. The acronym LAPD is practically synonymous with the idea of professional law enforcement. The men in blue who patrol Hollywood and the sprawling metropolis of L.A. have been investigated by screenwriters more times than vice versa. With more than 9,300 sworn officers today, the LAPD endures seemingly endless controversies and media circuses. But then there’s the other side of L.A.’s protective shield—the story of the force’s evolution alongside the spectacular growth of its unique melting-pot city. This book’s rare and often never-before-published photographs focus on that side: the excitement, danger, tragedy, and comedy of everyday beat cops and workaday detectives—with concessions to their limelight representations, including Jack Webb’s Dragnet and Adam-12.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 805 police officers (representing 363 police departments) and their 1714 law enforcement books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.