Massive Takedown Targets East County Drug Trafficking Networks

Published By

U.S. Attorney's Office

Published Date

2019-09-19

During the coordinated takedown that began early this morning, investigators executed over a dozen search warrants and seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms. As of today at 1 p.m., 47 of the 85 defendants are either in federal or state custody. Authorities are continuing to search for 38 defendants. Many of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

According to the indictments and other publicly filed court documents, this year-long investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service targeted multiple San Diego-based drug distribution and money laundering networks led respectively by Juan Carlos OCHOA, Rene VALDEZ Jr., Ramon CASTILLO, Michael WRIGHT, Alfonso ARROYO, Douglas BOWEN, Samuel BECERRA, and Javier VERGARA. These affiliated networks supplied multi-kilogram quantities of controlled substances (primarily methamphetamine and heroin but also fentanyl) to dozens of subdistributors located throughout Southern California. These networks were also responsible for laundering tens of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds back to Sinaloa Cartel-associated drug traffickers in Mexico. During this investigation, agents coordinated seizures of narcotics and drug proceeds throughout San Diego County and across the United States.

To avoid detection by law enforcement, the defendants also utilized various encrypted communication services like Signal and WhatsApp to communicate among themselves. Despite their sophisticated efforts, law enforcement penetrated this network with a variety of investigative techniques, including physical surveillance, obtaining phone records, financial documents, tracking warrants on telephones and vehicles, and undercover agents. Over the course of the investigation, agents obtained dozens of search warrants and conducted a 10-month-long federal wiretap to track the communications and the location of the defendants. In conjunction with the wiretaps, agents ultimately seized approximately 175 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl tied to these networks, approximately $50,000 in cash, multiple firearms, and a 2020 Cadillac Escalade (valued at over $115,000).

“Today we sent a message to drug traffickers in our community. If you sell drugs in San Diego, we will find you and prosecute you to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “I want to congratulate the outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation that has resulted in this highly successful investigation. This case represents yet another critical strike against the Sinaloa Cartel and its U.S.-based networks.”
“Today’s operation was about community care taking,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “We took criminals off the street in South County who were selling drugs and committing violent crimes - robberies - home invasions - identity theft - fraud - and other property crimes. The void left is an opportunity for the communities in South County to exhale and breathe in fresh air. Freedom is priceless. Today South County is free to live without a criminal undertone which eroded their daily quality of life.”

“A significant portion of the indictments unsealed today are alleged money laundering conspiracy violations and the asset forfeiture allegations,” stated Assistant Special Agent in Charge Johnathan Smith. “Multiple defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering violations, a charge which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20-years imprisonment. These are serious crimes that come with serious time.”

This case was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotics Task Force (NTF) and the Internal Revenue Service. The NTF is a DEA-led task force comprised of federal and local law enforcement from the DEA, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSD), the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), United States Border Patrol (USBP), and the San Diego County Probation Office. Agents and officers from the United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons also provided vital assistance for the investigation. Attorneys from the Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations, Electronic Surveillance Unit, likewise provided critical work as part of the investigative team.

This case is the result of the 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.

The United States is represented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Sutton, and Mario J. Peia.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Information
19-cr-3624-CAB Indictment - Click HERE
Defendants Criminal Case No: 19-cr-3624-CAB
Defendant Number
Name
Hometown
1
Juan Carlos Ochoa
El Cajon, CA
2
Belinda Maria Menke
El Cajon, CA
3
Oscar Clemente-Perez
El Cajon, CA
4
Anton Dockery
El Cajon, CA
5
Amira Novelo-Torres
Tijuana, MX
6
Guillermo Castellano
El Cajon, CA
7
Monica Alcantar
El Cajon, CA
8
Alberto Frayre
Chula Vista, CA
9
Ivan Rodriguez
El Cajon, CA
10
Brian Perin
San Diego, CA
11
Edward DiBartola
San Diego, CA
12
Juanita Ortiz
El Cajon, CA
13
Lorena Torres
El Cajon, CA
14
Marcus Dewayne Caldwell
San Diego, CA
15
Candace Marie Spears
San Diego, CA
16
Eduardo Lerma
El Cajon, CA
17
Gene Fitzgerald
San Diego, CA
18
Melissa Young
San Diego, CA
19
Jessie Avina
El Cajon, CA
Summary of Charges
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(2) and (h))

Maximum Penalties: For the drug charges, term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison, $10 million fine and a lifetime of supervised release. For money laundering charges, term of custody up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, and three years of supervised release.
19-cr-3627-CAB Inictment - Click HERE
Defendants Criminal Case No: 19-cr-3627-CAB
Defendant Number
Name
Hometown
1
Douglas Bowen
San Diego, CA
2
Erick Cifuentes
San Diego, CA
3
John Bordwell Jr.
San Diego, CA
4
Raya Jaye Kimball
San Diego, CA
5
Stephen Robert Chavez
San Diego, CA
6
Robert David Houser
San Diego, CA
7
Justin Scott Baker
San Diego, CA
8
Janette Lee Taylor
San Diego, CA
9
Emilio Vanegas
San Diego, CA
10
Christopher Nobis
San Diego, CA
11
Maximino Padilla
San Diego, CA
12
Erika Marlene Ramirez-Ramirez
San Diego, CA
13
Heaven Rapp
San Diego, CA
14
Shelley Marie Cobb
San Diego, CA
15
Sarrah Jean Kent
San Diego, CA
16
David Hopkins
San Diego, CA
17
Matthew Bogan
San Diego, CA
18
Emily Uscanga
San Diego, CA
19
Michael Bowen
Colorado Springs, CA
20
Edson Garcia
San Diego, CA
21
Brandon Brooks
San Diego, CA
22
Raheem Jackson
San Diego, CA
23
Heather Kieley
San Diego, CA
24
Yvette Romero
San Diego, CA
25
Bobby Lee Crisp
San Diego, CA
26
Dario Navarro
San Diego, CA
Summary of Charges
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(a)(2) and (h))
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1))
Importation of a Controlled Substance (21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960 and 963)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1))

-- Southern District of California

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