Operation Snake Eyes
|
Release Date/Time: 5/23/2013 4:09 PM For the past several months there has been a criminal investigation run out of the Law Enforcement Operations Center (LEOC). The Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force (GTF), along with the Narcotics/Violent Crimes Task Force have lead the investigation. The investigation has been primarily focused on the spectrum of Norteno gangs in Monterey County, including the Nuestra Familia. This investigation began after drug dealers were initially targeted in the under 100 block of Soledad St. in the City of Salinas, also known as Chinatown The investigation spread to include numerous known Norteno gang members in the City of Salinas and throughout Monterey County. Throughout this investigation, as the result of arrests and other tactics, many violent crimes were prevented. For instance, as a result of the investigative work being done in this operation the third outstanding suspect in the shooting of a Salinas Police Officer was identified and arrested. It is especially important to acknowledge the tremendous assistance provided to the LEOC by several long term partners: The Northern CA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HITDA) provided financial, technical, and analytical support to the LEOC from the time the LEOC came together. Their commitment to this investigation has been critical to the successful outcome and cannot be underestimated. CA Department of Justice (DOJ) provided both investigative tools and several full-time Special Agents to this investigation. And, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provided financial and investigative support. Numerous other LEOC partners and outside agencies provided investigative support during this operation, including: Alcohol Tobacco firearms and Explosives (ATF) California Department of Corrections/Rehabilitation California Highway Patrol Federal Bureau of Investigations Gilroy/Morgan Hill Regional SWAT Homeland Security Investigations Monterey County District Attorney Investigations Monterey Peninsula Regional SWAT Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Task Force Santa Clara Police Department Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team United States Marshals Service Monterey County Sheriff's Office Salinas Police Department There were over 300 LE Officers present today from all over the State who assisted in the service of search and arrest warrants and aided in the apprehension of the criminals identified in this investigation. Twenty (20) Search Warrants were served and 25 arrests were made today, in addition to 22 related arrests which were made prior to today. Of the 20 search warrants served this morning, 15 of those were located in the City of Salinas. Three were in the unincorporated County area. One was in Soledad and one was in Marina. Various firearms, drugs, vehicles and about $69,000.00 in cash were also seized today. The charges range from conspiracy to distribute narcotics, firearms possession, extortion, attempted robbery, and attempted murder on a peace officer. The majority of persons are additionally being charged with gang enhancements, as many of the crimes committed were done so either at the direction of, or for the benefit of, a criminal street gang. The cases are still being reviewed by the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for additional filings. In addition, the US Attorney has reviewed many of the cases and there may be Federal charges pending against some of the suspects. The following is a partial list of arrestees from today: Trinidad Pimental 1-21-71 Duane Jefferson 4-17-81 Annette Brooks 1-26-68 Paul Leyba 11-16-78 Pablo Castaneda 3-19-90 Joel Hernandez 9-13-76 Xavier Lopez 10-28-91 Rogelio Hernandez 8-19-87 Efrain Perez 1-17-74 Yesenia Navarro 4-4-83 Crescencio Leon 10-8-76 Fook Tang 4-14-38 Robert Lucio 11-20-89 Raymond Collins 9-29-66 William Feliz 9-7-75 Vincent Garcia 1-29-67 Marco Alcala 12-31-71 Rudolfo Salas 5-2-85 Rudy Ontiverio 8-17-62 Raul Mendoza 9-3-88 Jacquelyn Brooks 10- Release Authorized by: Officer Miguel Cabrera |
222 Lincoln Avenue