AML / CFT: California drugs busts bring down gangs, FBI says.
FBI agents and detectives assigned to a dedicated task force conducted a year-long investigation into the drug trafficking networks by members and associates of a Lompoc-based subset of the Six Deuce Brims Bloods and the Northwest (Santa Maria) street gang, the largest Hispanic gang on the Central Coast which is affiliated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang. Yesterday, they arrested 11 people alleged to be the leaders.
The investigation began when local police intelligence indicated the gangs were responsible for various crimes including drug dealing, firearms sales and various violent crimes. Throughout the course of the investigation, the task force used a range of investigative techniques including controlled purchases of narcotics and weapons - more commonly known as "stings."
Over the past few weeks, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned five indictments that charge a total of 10 defendants with conspiracy and distributing methamphetamine. Nine of the defendants named in the federal indictments were arrested on 3rd May 2011 without incident by task force members. One federal defendant is currently being sought by the task force. In addition to the federal defendants, two people were arrested this morning on state chargesin connection with this investigation; an additional two state defendants were already in custody. The state defendants are expected to be prosecuted by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
Due Diligence Information:
The nine federal defendants arrested yesterday are:
- Freddie Sutton, 51, of Oceano, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Mike Shepherd, 50, of Santa Maria, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Christopher DeLong, 50, of Arroyo Grande, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Keshon Cole, 34, of Santa Maria, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Randy Fuston, 29, of Santa Maria, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Melvin Braddock, 40, of Santa Maria, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine; Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Eduardo Sanchez, 27, of Santa Maria, Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Jesus Buenrostro, 23, of Santa Maria, Distribution of Methamphetamine
- Sergio Godinez, 30, of Santa Maria, Distribution of Methamphetamine
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