MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

Burdick Nelson Seminole Sr., 59, of Riverton, Wyoming, was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder and causing death with a firearm during a crime of violence, each count to run concurrently; plus, an additional 10 years imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 27 in Casper. The court also ordered Seminole to pay $4,521.09 in restitution and a $300 special assessment.

Seminole was convicted of first-degree murder after a four-day trial on Nov. 15, 2024. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in the early morning of Aug. 8, 2023, Seminole drove to the victim’s residence, entered the residence without permission, and confronted the victim. An argument ensued and Seminole left the residence to retrieve a pistol and reentered the residence, where he continued to argue with the victim, who was sitting in his wheelchair. Seminole pistol-whipped the victim and shot him three times. In response, another resident shot at Seminole, hitting him in the back of the neck, causing him to flee. Seminole drove himself to the hospital and was diagnosed with a minor flesh wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Wind River Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy, strengthening PSN on the basis of these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Case No. 24-CR-00017

Source: US FBI

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, 42, of Lyons, Colorado, was charged by complaint with one count of malicious destruction of property for a series of incidents at the Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado.

According to the complaint, on January 29, Loveland Police received a call reporting a fire near a Cyber Truck located at the Tesla dealership. Investigators discovered an incendiary device, commonly referred to as a “Molotov cocktail” next to the vehicle. Additionally, on February 2, Loveland Police received a report of graffiti on the Tesla dealership sign where black spray paint was used to write the word “NAZI.” On February 7, police received a call for graffiti and possible arson at Tesla. During that investigation police found multiple broken bottles consistent with incendiary devices. On February 11, a security guard at the dealership came into contact with a person painting graffiti, which used an expletive, on the front windows of the building. On February 24, police confronted Nelson at the dealership. Inside Nelson’s car, police found a container of gasoline plus a box of bottles and wick material which were similar to the items police recovered after the prior incidents.

The defendant made an initial appearance in front of Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Office, and the Loveland Police Department are handling the investigation.  The Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution.

Case Number: 1:25-mj-00043-NRN

Source: US FBI

Source: US FBI

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Edward Joseph Chmiel, 49, Henry Lozano, 43, and Sabino Loera, 51, have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering arising out of a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices to a contractor providing services for a Colorado electrical utility.

Loera and Lozano made their initial appearances in federal court on February 10. Chmiel is expected to have his initial appearance later this month.  According to the criminal information, Chmiel and Loera worked for a company providing electrical contracting services to a utility company in Colorado. Lozano owned a company providing trucking and hauling services. In August 2018, the three agreed that Lozano’s company would provide those services in exchange for kickback payments to Chmiel and Loera.  To generate the money that would pay the kickbacks, the three schemed to submit false invoices from Lozano’s company to Chmiel and Loera’s. Once Lozano was paid for those invoices, Loera would direct Lozano to issue checks to a network of 15 other people. Those people cashed the checks and then gave the cash to Chmiel and Loera.  Between August 2018 and June 2020, the false invoices generated approximately $1,495,781.51 in kickback proceeds.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sonia Dave and Bryan Fields.

Case Number: 25-cr-00024-RMR             

Source: US FBI

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Christina Ann Mobley, also known as Kris Mobley, 58, on charges that she defrauded her former employer, a construction company located in Fortuna, Calif.  

According to an indictment filed Feb. 5, 2025, Mobley was employed as the business manager for a Fortuna construction company.  When the company’s bookkeeper retired, Mobley took on the accounting and bookkeeping duties, including inputting entries into the company’s accounting software and assisting with bill payments, payroll taxes, employee health benefits, government contracts, and other tasks.

The company maintained an account at a bank and had several business credit cards through the bank for its employees.  It also held a business credit card at another bank, where Mobley maintained at least two personal credit card accounts.  The indictment describes that Mobley’s scheme to defraud took on several forms.  Mobley allegedly directed checks mailed from the company’s bank account to be applied to the accounts for her personal credit cards; issued electronic payments of company funds to her personal credit cards; misused the company’s credit card for personal expenses such as cash advances at casinos and personal travel; wrote checks from the company to herself; inflated her vacation time, work hours, and bonuses in the company’s payroll system; and issued duplicate payroll checks and unearned bonus payments to herself.  Between January 2022 and November 2024, Mobley allegedly embezzled more than $500,000 from her employer.  

The indictment charges Mobley with three counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and seven counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  Mobley made an initial appearance in federal district court in McKinleyville, Calif., this morning, and was released on bond with conditions set by the Court.  Mobley is next scheduled to appear on Feb. 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer.

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin made the announcement.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Mobley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343, a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transactions, and forfeiture and restitution.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Christina Ann Mobley Indictment
 

Source: US FBI

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has indicted Franchesca Calagui, 25, and Dondre Gray, 27, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, and also charged Calagui with receipt of U.S. Treasury check with forged endorsement or signature.

According to the indictment unsealed yesterday, from around May 2022 through March 2023, Calagui and Gray, both of Emeryville, Calif., conspired to obtain stolen U.S. Treasury checks, recruit others to fraudulently endorse or sign the stolen U.S. Treasury checks, and give the checks to Calagui to cash for the defendants’ personal benefit.  At the time, Calagui was a part-time associate banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank.

The indictment describes text messages between Gray and Calagui discussing the ongoing scheme in which Gray stated “I definitely don’t wanna scam with chase since you work there,” and Calagui responded “I do not care if u scam us lmao.”  Gray allegedly explained how he operated the scheme using runners, individuals who gets paid to enter a bank with a fraudulent check, cash it, and return the proceeds to the person who employed the runner.  In all, the defendants are charged with devising and executing a scheme to cash at least 339 stolen U.S. Treasury checks totaling more than $850,000.

Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Knarr, Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s (VA OIG) Northwest Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Dean Lake of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) made the announcement.

Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1349 and five counts of bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344(1), (2).  Calagui is also charged with five counts of receipt of U.S. Treasury check with forged endorsement or signature under 18 U.S.C. § 510(b).  Calagui and Gray were arrested and made their initial appearances in federal district court yesterday.  Defendants are next scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on April 3, 2025, for a status conference.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 on each charged count.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia Johnson is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Amala James. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, TIGTA, IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG, USPIS, VA OIG, and SSA OIG.

Franchesca Calagui Indictment
 

Source: US FBI

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has charged Eric Rego with three counts of mail fraud in connection with a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud his former employer, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), through fake invoices for electronic devices that Rego kept and resold.  

According to an indictment unsealed today, Rego, 39, a resident of El Dorado Hills, Calif., committed fraud by using MDUSD funds earmarked for an after-school program to purchase tablet computers and other electronic devices that he then sold for his own profit.  Rego was an employee of MDUSD, a public school district in Contra Costa County.  The school district had an after-school program that offered to students in transitional kindergarten through twelfth grade academic, recreational, and environmental programming.  The after-school program was free to students and funded primarily through state grants designed to benefit high-need population areas.  Rego was MDUSD’s after-school program coordinator.

The school district had a contract with a nonprofit (referred to as Nonprofit 1) to run its after-school program.  As the program coordinator, Rego worked closely with Nonprofit 1.  Beginning around July 2020 and continuing through around May 2024, Rego purchased or caused to be purchased iPads, MacBooks, GoPro cameras, and other electronic devices through Nonprofit 1.  Rego allegedly falsely claimed to a Nonprofit 1 employee that the iPads and other devices were needed for students in the after-school program, but instead kept the devices and resold them at a fraction of their cost.  

To carry out his scheme, Rego directed a Nonprofit 1 employee to submit monthly invoices containing a line-item expense for subcontracts and supplies and to include the cost of the iPads and other devices in this line-item.  Rego reviewed and approved these monthly invoices and caused their submission to MDUSD for processing and payment.  In so doing, Rego falsely represented to MDUSD that the invoices were for Nonprofit 1’s expenses incurred from operating the after-school program.  In all, the indictment alleges that Rego fraudulently obtained iPads, MacBooks, GoPro cameras, and other devices at a cost of not less than approximately $3.3 million.

The defendant was arrested today and will appear in federal district court in Sacramento on Feb. 5, 2025.  

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count of mail fraud.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin made the announcement.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Rezaei is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Linda Love.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Concord Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Superintendent Adam Clark, Ed.D. for their cooperation with the investigation.

Rego Indictment
 

Source: US FBI

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, 38, with seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets in connection with an alleged plan to steal from Google LLC (Google) proprietary information related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Ding was originally indicted in March 2024 on four counts of theft of trade secrets.  The superseding indictment returned today describes seven categories of trade secrets stolen by Ding and charges Ding with seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets.

According to the superseding indictment, Google hired Ding as a software engineer in 2019.  Between approximately May 2022 and May 2023, Ding uploaded more than 1,000 unique files containing Google confidential information from Google’s network to his personal Google Cloud account, including the trade secrets alleged in the superseding indictment.

While Ding was employed by Google, he secretly affiliated himself with two People’s Republic of China (PRC)-based technology companies.  Around June 2022, Ding was in discussions to be the Chief Technology Officer for an early-stage technology company based in the PRC.  By May 2023, Ding had founded his own technology company focused on AI and machine learning in the PRC and was acting as the company’s CEO.

The superseding indictment alleges that Ding intended to benefit the PRC government by stealing trade secrets from Google.  Ding allegedly stole technology relating to the hardware infrastructure and software platform that allows Google’s supercomputing data center to train and serve large AI models.  The trade secrets contain detailed information about the architecture and functionality of Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips and systems and Google’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) systems, the software that allows the chips to communicate and execute tasks, and the software that orchestrates thousands of chips into a supercomputer capable of training and executing cutting-edge AI workloads.  The trade secrets also pertain to Google’s custom-designed SmartNIC, a type of network interface card used to enhance Google’s GPU, high performance, and cloud networking products.

As alleged, Ding circulated a PowerPoint presentation to employees of his technology company citing PRC national policies encouraging the development of the domestic AI industry.  He also created a PowerPoint presentation containing an application to a PRC talent program based in Shanghai.  The superseding indictment describes how PRC-sponsored talent programs incentivize individuals engaged in research and development outside the PRC to transmit that knowledge and research to the PRC in exchange for salaries, research funds, lab space, or other incentives.  Ding’s application for the talent program stated that his company’s product “will help China to have computing power infrastructure capabilities that are on par with the international level.”

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin made the announcement.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count under 18 U.S.C. § 1832 and a maximum of 15 years in prison for each count under 18 U.S.C § 1831.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Boome and Molly K. Priedeman and Trial Attorneys Stephen Marzen and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Today’s action was coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states.

Ding Superseding Indictment
 

Source: US FBI

SAN FRANCISCO – Darneko Yates, 30, of Richmond, Calif., was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, following a one-day bench trial on Jan. 17, 2025, before the Honorable Araceli Martínez-Olguín, U.S. District Judge.    

The evidence at trial established that on Aug. 27, 2023, San Pablo Police Officers attempted to stop Yates for a vehicle infraction.  Yates drove for several blocks before pulling up partially onto the sidewalk in front of a relative’s house.  Yates had his young nephew and niece in the backseat of his car.  At the time, Yates was on parole following three felony convictions for carjacking, solicitation to commit murder, and possessing a loaded firearm.  

Upon learning that Yates was on parole with a search condition, officers searched his person but did not find anything.  When Yates’s six-year-old nephew got out of the car, Yates urged the child to go inside the house.  The child moved slowly and kept his back to the officers.  When officers looked at the front of the child, they saw an object tucked into the front of his pants.  Upon further inspection, officers located a Glock firearm loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition inside the six-year-old’s pants.  The gun had a “Glock switch” or “machinegun conversion device,” which allows a shooter to fire an endless stream of bullets with one pull of the trigger.  During the traffic stop, Yates sent text messages telling an individual to come get the child out of the car before the police searched the vehicle, and admitting that the child had Yates’s gun on him.

“Defendant’s actions inexcusably endangered a young child.  Thanks to the careful work of the officers on the scene, this did not turn into a tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey.  “My office will continue to use all resources available to reduce violent crime and gun violence in our communities.”

“Using a child to conceal a loaded, fully automatic firearm shows an alarming disregard for their safety and well-being,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin. “The FBI, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to holding dangerous offenders accountable and removing illegal firearms from our streets.”

Yates was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).  He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years in prison.  Defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2025.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leif Dautch and Richard Ewenstein are prosecuting this case, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Pablo Police Department.  
 

Source: US FBI

EL CENTRO – Five indictments were unsealed in federal court today charging 48 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based, Sinaloa Cartel-linked drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin and bulk cash smuggling.

In a coordinated takedown this morning, more than 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials arrested 25 defendants and executed 15 search warrants in Imperial County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Stockton, as well as in Yuma, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. As of this afternoon, the search continues for 23 fugitives.

Including seizures today and throughout this long-term investigation, authorities have seized more than 3,600 kg (about 8,000 pounds) of methamphetamine; substantial quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin; and one firearm.

Crimes charged in the indictments include drug trafficking, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.

According to court records, the defendants belonged to a drug trafficking organization based in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico with ties to Los Rusos, one of the most violent and significant factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

“This investigation represents another blow to traffickers of deadly drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “With the indictment of four dozen individuals, we are not only disrupting a major drug trafficking network but also taking significant steps to protect our community from the devastation these drugs cause. We are committed to dismantling these dangerous operations and ensuring that those who fuel the crisis are held accountable.”

“HSI’s challenge with investigating cases tied to the Sinaloa Cartel is to not just chase those who profit from addiction, but to dismantle the transnational network responsible for plaguing our communities and tearing families apart,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The success of today’s takedown would not have been possible without the unwavering support and assistance from our law enforcement partners. By working together, we each bring a unique skillset to the fight against these trafficking organizations and can disrupt and dismantle cells like these.”

“This successful operation underscores the pivotal role that collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies plays in safeguarding our communities,” stated Roque Caza, Area Port Director for the Calexico Port of Entry. “At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, our mission is to protect the nation’s public by preventing dangerous substances from entering the United States. This joint effort highlights our commitment to disrupting the flow of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, addressing the dangerous impacts on public health and safety. Together, we stand strong in our fight against these illicit activities and remain steadfast in protecting our borders and communities.”

“The Sinaloa Cartel and any other criminal organization will fare poorly here in the Imperial Valley as we have just seen,” said El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino. “With seamless coordination between HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a multitude of state and local agencies, yet another set of alleged traffickers and criminals were prevented from harming the community.”

According to court records, employing undercover operations and four rounds of wiretaps, agents conducted numerous controlled purchases, traffic stops of personal vehicles and several tractor trailers, and searches of houses and stash locations leading to large seizures of narcotics. In one instance on April 27, 2022, authorities seized 256 pounds of methamphetamine after intercepting phone conversations between several defendants about a big sale. Federal agents watched the transaction from afar, then conducted a traffic stop on the drug-laden tractor-trailer. Law enforcement officials located four duffel bags containing 256 pounds of methamphetamine in the cab of the truck.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Owen Roth.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24cr2316-WQH                         

Adrian Garcia                                                 Age: 28                                   El Centro, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine.

DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number  24cr2320-WQH

Fausto Herrera-Lopez, AKA “Vecino”*        50                    Mexicali, MX

Rodolfo Ramirez-Palacios, AKA “Rudy”*   34                    Mexicali, MX

Tereso Ramirez-Velasquez                            54                    San Bernadino, CA

Juan Carlos Ojeda-Saldana                            35                    Brawley, CA

Jose David Morales-Rodriguez*                    46                    Brawley, CA

Ernesto Morales-Rodriguez*                          41                    Mexicali, MX

Vicente Barrera-Robles*                                32                    Mexicali, MX

Ricardo Ruben Pinzon                                    24                    El Centro, CA

Jose Ramon Ochoa-Monteverde                    31                    El Centro, CA

Salvador Martinez                                          54                    Los Angeles, CA

Juan Carlos Martinez*                                    52                    Los Angeles, CA

Rogelio Robledo-Valdez*                              26                    Mexicali, MX

Maria Elena Reyes                                          50                    Wichita, KS

Gabriela Estrada*                                           46                    Mexicali, MX

Jaime Mayoral                                                40                    El Centro, CA

Marcos Arturo Barrera                                   28                    Brawley, CA

Oscar Silvas-Gamez                                       32                    Fresno, CA

Juan Ernesto Salas Villela*                            37                    Fontana, CA

Yeiming Hernandez                                        34                    Calexico, CA

Frank Gustavo Zendejas                                 56                    Calipatria, CA

Gerardo Medina Plancencia                           45                    Calexico, CA

Jose Andres Leyva                                          55                    El Centro, CA

Stephanie Melgoza*                                       21                    Salinas, CA

Victor Rene Herrera*                                     24                    Los Angeles, CA

Arnulfo Morfin-Moreno*                               52                    Pasco, WA

Edgar Garcia*                                                 24                    Las Vegas, NV

Roberto Valenzuela De La Torre*                 27                     Sonora, MX

Leonardo Saldivar*                                       38                     San Bernardino, CA

Francisco Ramirez*                                       52                    Tolleson, Arizona

Luis Fernando Simental Palacios*                34                     Mexicali, MX

Abraham Noe Esparza-Garcia*                     36                      Mexicali, MX

Angelica Guerrero                                        29                      Calexico, CA

Sergio Sanchez                                             46                      Long Beach, CA

Nicholas Adam Fortier                                  41                      Portland, OR

Luis Alberto Felix*                                        38                      Pacoima, CA

Elizabeth Echeverria                                      43                      Las Vega, NV

Pedro Estrada*                                              50                      San Diego, CA

Bernadette Lucero Vallejos*                          33                      Goodyear, AZ

Maribel Garcia Barajas                                  56                      El Centro, CA

Jose Arturo Mendiola Porras*                       57                      Mexicali, MX

Enrique Villalobos                                         43                      Stockton, CA

Israel Alejandro Ramirez-Velasquez             60                      Perris, CA                      

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1), and 846

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Distribution of Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a) and (b)(1)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a $10 million fine

Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

Conspiracy to Commit Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24cr2318-WQH                         

Nilda Charlenne Ledon                                   Age: 34                                   El Centro, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24cr2319-WQH                         

Jasmine Santos                                                Age: 34                                   Los Angeles, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24cr217-WQH                         

Brenda Lara*                                                  Age: 32                                   Los Angeles, CA

Romulada Contreras*                                     Age: 75                                   Mexicali, MX

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Commit Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

Bulk Cash Smuggling – Title 31, U.S.C., Section 5332(a) and (b)

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

*Fugitives

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations, Calexico Office

United States Border Patrol, El Centro Sector Intelligence Unit

Customs and Border Protection, Calexico Intelligence Division

Imperial County Narcotics Task Force

Drug Enforcement Administration, Imperial County Office

United States Postal Inspectors

Federal Bureau of Investigations, Imperial County Office

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations

United States Marshals Service

Calexico Police Department

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

Brawley Police Department

San Bernardino Police Department Narcotics Unit

California Highway Patrol

El Centro 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.

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.