15 charged for drugs, guns in anti-gang sweep in Concord, surrounding areas

Alleged Sureños used Concord shopping center as “One-Stop Shop” for guns and drugs

Confiscated over 70 firearms, including a machine gun, AK-47 with 100 round drum, over $50,000 in cash, about 10 pounds of methamphetamine, over 400 grams of heroin, over 2,500 grams of cocaine and over 900 fentanyl pills – Concord Police Dept.

4 homicides solved as a result, three in Concord, one in Antioch

SAN FRANCISCO – Complaints were unsealed in federal court today charging 15 individuals with trafficking drugs and firearms in connection with the Sureños street gang, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, ATF Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair, DEA Special Agent in Charge Danny Comeaux, and Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos.

According to affidavits filed in connection with the complaints, multiple individuals affiliated with the Sureños street gang are alleged to have conspired to sell methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and firearms.  According to the complaint, the alleged sales occurred across Contra Costa County, but primarily in Concord, with numerous transactions occurring in a shopping center parking lot at 1500 Monument Boulevard.  According to the complaint, Sureño gang members claimed control over this shopping center, referring to it as “The Block” or “The Box,” and described it to undercover officers as a kind of “one-stop shop” for guns and drugs.

“Today’s charges explode the myth of the non-violent drug dealer,” said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson.  “Drugs are expensive.  Drugs are dangerous.  Where we find drugs, we almost always find guns.  What is particularly appalling about today’s charges is that the defendants did not even bother to hide the guns or drugs.  Rather, the defendants allegedly peddled their products in broad daylight in public spaces.”

The following was posted on the Concord Police Department’s Facebook page on Tuesday morning: “We’re proud to announce Concord PD recently led a large scale multi-agency anti-violence operation that resulted in multiple arrests, including arrests connected to several unsolved murders.

Operation “Boulevard Blues” ended Thursday morning with 30 search warrants executed across Solano, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties. Nine of those warrants were conducted in Concord. The focus of the investigation was the Sureño gang along Monument Blvd.

Our operations resulted in over 26 individuals charged with state and/or federal charges that include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, illegal weapons, and gang violations.

‘Boulevard Blues’ resulted in solving 4 murders (three in Concord and one in Antioch).

• 2014: Victor Gutierrez on Adelaide Street
• 2015: Erick Cruz on Meadow Lane
• 2015: Luis Estrada at Hillcrest Park
• 2015: Homicide that occurred in Antioch

In addition, the operation recovered over 70 firearms, including a machine gun, an AK-47 with 100 round drum, suspected firearm suppressors, ammunition, over $50,000 in cash, approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, over 400 grams of heroin, over 2,500 grams of cocaine and over 900 fentanyl pills.

As always, keeping our community safe remains a priority for our department. We want to thank our community for your unwavering support and cooperation.”

“Throughout this investigation, ATF has worked side by side with our partners to fulfill ATF’s mission of protecting the public by investigating the criminal misuse and trafficking of firearms in the Contra Costa county area,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, San Francisco Field Division, ATF.  “In April 2019, ATF began working with the Concord Police Department and then with other agencies to address problematic gang activity that was occurring within Contra Costa county. Law enforcement partnerships create an unwavering unified front against violent crime and this collaborative effort between local and federal agencies is evidence of our shared focus. ATF remains committed to working hard and doing our part to make this region a safer place as our pledge to protect the public is one ATF takes very seriously.”

“This operation exemplifies the dedication of the FBI and our task force partners to disrupt dangerous gang activity and remove the threat of criminals who endanger our neighborhoods,” said FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair.  “We are committed to improving the quality of life in our Bay Area communities and ensuring the safety of our citizens.”

“Nobody wins in a community where street gang activity exists. It threatens public safety and the security of our neighborhoods,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “These indictments send the message that law enforcement at all levels will work as one to pursue and prosecute criminal gangs and their associates.”

“We are thankful for our close working relationship with our federal partners,” said Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos. “Violent crime does not stop at a city’s border, and our relationship with our federal partners allows us to bring those who use violence and intimidation in Concord to justice.”

Of the fifteen defendants charged federally, eight were taken into custody on September 10, 2020.  Three additional defendants are due to be transferred from state to federal custody, while two more will stay in state custody as of today.  The whereabouts of the remaining two federal defendants are unknown.  The following chart summarizes the charges, custodial status, and next court dates for of each of the 15 federal defendants:

 

Name	Age	Custodial status	Case number	Charges	Next court date
Luis CRUZ	24	State custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Luis RAMIREZ-CARRANZA	31	Federal custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	9/15/20
Phabel GUTIERREZ	38	State custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Angel MAGAÑA	26	State custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Ernesto MISSIEGO	18	State custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Christian CERVANTES	23	State custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Francisco CANO	34	Federal custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	9/17/20
Armando NAVARRO	42	Federal custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	9/29/20
Sheena MIDDLETON	35	Federal custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	9/16/20
Luis CABRERA	28	Wanted	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy)	TBD
Alexis PEREZ	23	Federal custody	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (drug distribution)	9/18/20
Brian ALVARENGA	30	Wanted	20-71278	21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (drug distribution)	TBD
Eric CARRILLO	23	Federal custody	20-71283	18 U.S.C. 371 (firearms trafficking conspiracy)	9/15/20
Juan CONCHAS-CARRILLO	25	Federal custody	20-71283	18 U.S.C. 371 (firearms trafficking conspiracy)	9/16/20
Kevin VIDAL	23	Federal custody	20-71284	26 U.S.C. § 5861 (unlawful possession of unregistered firearm)	9/21/20

A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted of a drug conspiracy in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(viii) and 846, the defendants face a sentence of at least 5 and up to 40 years in prison, along with at least 4 years and up to life on supervised release, up to a $5 million fine, forfeiture, and denial of federal benefits.  If convicted of a drug conspiracy in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and 846, the defendants face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, along with at least 4 years and up to life on supervised release, up to a $5 million fine, forfeiture, and denial of federal benefits.  If convicted of possession of an unregistered firearm, the defendants face a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with up to 3 years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture.  If convicted of conspiring to deal firearms without a license, the defendants fae up to 5 years in prison, along with up to 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture.  However, 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.

The case is being prosecuted by the Oakland branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution is the result of a 2-year investigation led by the ATF and the Concord Police Department, along with the DEA and the FBI, as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.