Posts Tagged ‘drugs’

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Former Redondo Beach Police Officer Charged with Revealing a Search Warrant

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A former Redondo Beach police officer pleaded not guilty today to charges that he warned another police officer seen entering a suspected drug house that it was about to be raided by police, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Christopher Sabosky, 33 (dob 9-28-78), was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Upinder Kalra and pleaded not guilty to the one felony count each of conspiracy to commit a crime and revealing warrant information before the search warrant was served.

On Dec. 16, 2010, officers from the Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo Police Departments were preparing to execute search warrants at a suspected drug house on Sheldon Street in El Segundo. Officers conducting surveillance noted the driver of a GMC Yukon entering the house about 1:30 p.m. and radioed information that the truck was registered to Jeff Grau, a Torrance Police Department officer.

Before officers could enter the residence, the complaint alleges Sabosky texted Grau, who was a friend of his, that police were about to search the house. Sabosky also allegedly called Grau as Grau was fleeing the scene. The complaint also alleges that Sabosky tried to influence another officer into not detaining his friend.

Sabosky, who was fired Jan. 24 by Redondo Beach Police Department, surrendered today to court after a felony complaint for arrest warrant was filed Friday by Deputy District Attorney James Garrison with the Justice System Integrity Division.

Sabosky was released on his own recognizance. He returns to court Feb. 14 in Department 33 to set a date for his preliminary hearing.

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Owners of Los Angeles Toy Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in International Scheme to Launder Money for Drug Traffickers

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

LOS ANGELES – The two owners of a local toy manufacturing company were sentenced today to over three years in federal prison for their roles in a cash “structuring” scheme that prosecutors say was linked to the “Black Market Peso Exchange” that allows drug cartels to launder the proceeds of their narcotics trafficking.

The business owners were sentenced along with their company, Angel Toy Company (ATC), which manufactured plush toys while developing an international reputation for laundering money generated by drug trafficking, according to court documents.

The co-owners sentenced today were:

• Meichun Cheng Huang, 58, of Irvine, ATC’s vice president in charge of sales, who was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison; and, Huang’s sister,

• Ling Yu, 53, of Arcadia, the president of ATC, who also was sentenced to 37 months in prison.

Huang and Yu were sentenced by United States District Judge S. James Otero, who remanded both defendants into custody. In addition to the prison terms, Judge Otero ordered each defendant to pay a $20,000 fine.

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119 Individuals Charged in 119 Individuals Charged in San Diego County Law Enforcement Operations

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

119 Individuals Charged in San Diego County Law Enforcement Operations Two Mexican Mafia Members and 117 San Diego County Street Gang Members and Associates with Ties to The Mexican Mafia Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking Violations and Firearms Offenses

San Diego, CA - A federal grand jury in San Diego has handed up 17 indictments and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California has filed eight criminal complaints charging a total of 119 defendants with federal racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking violations and federal firearm offenses, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy.

United States Attorney Duffy said, “The cases unsealed today make communities stronger and safer. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to an anti-gang, anti-violence strategy built on close coordination between federal, state and local officials. This coordination provides better intelligence about street gangs and violent crime within our communities. And better intelligence means better law enforcement and prosecutions.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter commented, “Today’s arrests mark one of the largest single takedowns in San Diego FBI history. The FBI and our law enforcement partners stand unified in our efforts to protect this county from the violence, drug trafficking, and extortion schemes employed by the Mexican Mafia and its affiliates. San Diego is inherently safer today because of the cooperation between our agencies working together to disrupt and dismantle the criminal activities of these dangerous individuals.”

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Federal Enforcement Actions Directed At Marijuana Stores Continue with Four New Property Forfeiture Lawsuits and Warning Letters

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – As part of a continuing, coordinated effort against commercial marijuana operations in California that started last fall, federal prosecutors over the past week have filed four asset forfeiture lawsuits against properties housing marijuana storefronts in Los Angeles and Orange counties and have sent warning letters to property owners and operators of illegal marijuana stores in several Southland cities.

Three asset forfeiture complaints against buildings in Costa Mesa where marijuana stores are currently operating were filed this morning in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Prosecutors this morning also sent letters to marijuana store operators and to the owners of properties where nearly two dozen marijuana stores currently operate in Costa Mesa.

The three forfeiture actions filed today allege that the owners knowingly allowed marijuana stores to operate. The Costa Mesa buildings named in the forfeiture lawsuits house:

•three marijuana stores currently operating at 440 Fair Drive, where the owner of the building has been “cited numerous times by Costa Mesa officials for allowing the operation of marijuana dispensaries,” according to the lawsuit;

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Sheriff’s Deputy Indicted on Drug Smuggling Charges

Friday, January 13th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County deputy sheriff accused of smuggling drugs into a courthouse jail in a burrito was arraigned today on a Grand Jury indictment unsealed this afternoon.

Henry Marin, 27, entered a not guilty plea before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg. Marin is charged with one count each of bringing drugs into a jail and conspiracy to commit a crime in case No. BA382993.

On Feb. 23, 2010, Marin allegedly conspired with another person or persons to transport narcotics into the jail.

Marin, who has been relieved of duty without pay, was assigned to the Court Services Division at the Airport Courthouse. The defendant’s alleged criminal conduct took place between Jan. 27 and Feb. 23, 2010.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Pellman Pentz of the Justice System Integrity Division, who is assigned to the case, said the Grand Jury indictment was returned yesterday.

The defendant surrendered this morning to authorities of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, South Los Angeles station.

Marin, whose bail is set at $25,000, is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 16 for a pretrial hearing.

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Simi Valley Man Who Distributed Heroin That Caused Overdose Deaths Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Federal Prison

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A Simi Valley man who pleaded guilty to distributing narcotics – admitting that he distributed drugs that killed two people and nearly killed two others who overdosed – was sentenced today to 262 months in federal prison.

David Ryan Tejera, 23, was sentenced late this afternoon by United States District Judge A. Howard Matz.

In imposing the nearly 22-year prison term, Judge Matz referred to Tejera’s crimes as “horrible conduct” with “disastrous consequences.”

Tejera pleaded guilty in August 2011 to distributing heroin and cocaine that resulted in death. The charge specifically relates to a May 2010 incident in which he provided heroin and cocaine to a Simi Valley man who died from an overdose after Tejera injected him three times – twice with heroin and once with a heroin-cocaine cocktail. Tejera also admitted that he distributed heroin to a Thousand Oaks man who died of an overdose of the drug in October 2009. Tejera further admitted that in March and May of 2010 he distributed heroin that resulted in serious bodily injury to two people who suffered overdoses.

“The government believes that defendant’s admitted and uncontroverted offense conduct is some of the most serious criminal conduct possible,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing brief. “Defendant without reservation prepared a death cocktail for victim C.K. Defendant boasted of his skill in being able to administer what turned out, on several occasions as alleged, to be fatal and near-fatal doses of heroin. That

defendant’s offense conduct had a devastating effect on the victim’s family is an understatement.”

Tejera told detectives with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department that he was one of the largest heroin dealers in Ventura County and that he had been “slinging a lot in Thousand Oaks.” Tejera also told the detectives that he preferred “slamming” (quickly injecting) heroin and that “everyone asks me to shoot them up and it always comes back to haunt me.”

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Attorney, Client Arraigned on Conspiracy, Drug Charges

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A defense attorney who allegedly tried to smuggle drugs to his client at the downtown Criminal Courts building and who was arrested a month later at a separate courthouse allegedly possessing drugs was arraigned today on the charges, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Kenneth Roger Markman, 47, was first arrested Oct. 21, 2011, after he allegedly tried to smuggle 26 balloons containing heroin and meth into a jail holding facility at the Foltz Criminal Courthouse. Markman allegedly tried to deliver the drugs to his client, Jorge Zaragoza, 34, who had a court appearance scheduled that day in an attempted carjacking case, said Deputy District Attorney Paul Nunez with the Justice System Integrity Division.

According to the complaint, BA 392291, Zaragoza, and his girlfriend, Jennifer Vasquez, 26, both suspected 38th Street gang members, conspired to acquire the drugs and supply them to Markham.

A month later, on Nov. 18, Markman was arrested after a security officer saw suspicious items in the X-Ray machine as Markman tried to enter the Antelope Valley Court. Markman allegedly grabbed his wallet and attempted to leave the building but was detained by a Sheriff’s deputy. Suspected drug paraphernalia and two bindles of rock cocaine allegedly were found in his wallet.

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Santa Barbara Doctor Arrested on Federal Charges for Allegedly Writing Prescriptions for Huge Quantities of Dangerous Narcotics

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Some of the Prescriptions are Linked to Drug Overdose Deaths

SANTA ANA, California – A Santa Barbara physician was arrested this morning on federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly writing prescriptions for powerful painkillers, such as OxyContin, for “patients” who were drug addicts – some of whom diverted the pills they received to the black market and or suffered fatal overdoses from the narcotics.

Julio Gabriel Diaz, 63, who operates the Family Medical Clinic in Santa Barbara, was arrested this morning at his Goleta residence by special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and officers with the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Diaz was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court that charges him with distribution of controlled substances.

“The illegal sale and abuse of prescription narcotics is a growing problem that feeds addictions and leads to other criminal conduct,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. “Many of the illegal prescription drugs that find their way to the street come from doctors who prescribe them for money without medical justification. These doctors are drug dealers and they will face stiff penalties in federal court.”

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CITY JAIL GUARD CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING BRIBE

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

CITY JAIL GUARD CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING iPAD AND OTHER BRIBES IN EXCHANGE FOR ALLOWING INMATE PROHIBITED CONTRABAND AND UNAUTHORIZED PERSONAL VISITS

WESTMINSTER - A detention center officer at the Seal Beach City Jail has been charged with accepting bribes, including an iPad and money, in exchange for allowing an inmate prohibited contraband and visitor contacts. Jose Alday, 32, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of an officer receiving bribes, one felony count of possession for sale of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count of possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in state prison. Alday is being held on $100,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned this afternoon, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Department W-14, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At the time of the crime, Alday had worked as a non-sworn detention center officer at the Seal Beach City Jail for approximately four years.

Between July 1, 2011, and Dec. 25, 2011, Alday is accused of accepting bribes from an inmate on multiple occasions while working in his official capacity. The defendant is accused of allowing unsearched visitors to enter the jail to have unauthorized contact with this inmate. He is accused of allowing prohibited contraband, including alcohol, to be brought into the jail for the inmate. These crimes occurred while Alday was working alone and other officers were not present.

In exchange for allowing and facilitating the unauthorized visits and contraband, Alday is accused of receiving bribes including money, an iPad, a cell phone, two leather jackets, and other items.  These items were brought to the defendant by the inmate’s visitors.

The Seal Beach Police Department (SBPD) received a tip in December 2011 and began investigating this case. Alday was arrested Dec. 25, 2011, by SBPD while at work.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant is accused of being in possession of a substantial amount of anabolic steroids at the jail. During a subsequent search of the defendant’s home, Alday is accused of being in possession of a used methamphetamine pipe.

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MARINE CONVICTED OF MURDERING FELLOW MARINE IN DISPUTE OVER STOLEN DRUG MONEY

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

*Co-defendant is pending trial in this case

SANTA ANA - A Marine was convicted today of shooting and murdering a fellow Marine in a secluded area of San Clemente over a dispute about stolen drug money. Christian William Carney, 25, Manorville, NY, was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Camp Pendleton) at the time of the crime and was found guilty by a jury one felony count of murder, one felony count of criminal threats and one felony count of attempting to dissuade a witness. He faces a maximum sentence of 28 years and eight months to life in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 20, 2012, in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Alvin Reed Lovely, 24, Dallas, Texas, also a Marine at Camp Pendleton at the time of the crime, is charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of criminal threats, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 38 years to life in state prison. He is scheduled for jury trial Feb. 3, 2012, in Department C-40.

Carney was found guilty and Lovely is accused of the following:

While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Carney was a drug dealer who sold cocaine and ecstasy.

During the weekend of May 9, 2008, Carney drove to Texas to pick up his friend, Lovely, who had gone home for a visit and needed a ride back to the base. While Carney was gone, 20-year-old Stephen Serrano and his friend, Chad Hatch, broke into Carney’s room and stole his drug money.

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