Fidel Moreno-Dominguez, 47, of Palmdale, is charged with conspiracy to distribute one pound of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm after being convicted of selling narcotics.
Luis Angel Torres, 28, of Palmdale, is charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition after being convicted of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Walter Wilfredo Lagos, 34, of Palmdale, has been federally indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute one pound of methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine, but he remains at large, according to a statement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The arrests followed a six-month investigation by the ATF and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Investigators used confidential informants to introduce an ATF undercover agent, who made controlled purchases of contraband from the suspects resulting in the seizure of 30 weapons, including restricted firearms such as short-barrel rifles and silencers, and about 18 pounds of methamphetamine, officials said.
The investigation also uncovered two locations where AR-15 and AK-47 type rifles were being manufactured and illegally sold. The contraband purchased in the investigation included:
- Twenty-five firearms;
- Five National Firearm Act (NFA) weapons (two short-barrel rifles, one short-barrel shotgun, and two silencers);
- More than 400 rounds of assorted ammunition;
- Approximately 18 pounds of methamphetamine; and
- Narcotics to include MDMA, marijuana and cocaine.
About 300 law enforcement personnel served early morning warrants on Wednesday in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley, seizing an additional 13 firearms (eight pistols, four rifles and one shot gun), approximately 2 ½ pounds of methamphetamine, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, $10,000 in currency, and various amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, firearm manufacturing tools, and drug paraphernalia, officials said.
In the operation, Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services took custody of 14 youngsters and placed them in protective care.
The investigation did not target specific criminal organizations but instead zeroed in on “the worst criminal activity to include recent shootings related to street gangs Blythe, Langdon, Pacoima and San Fer,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric Harden.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said: “There is no doubt that removing guns from our streets and arresting criminals who use and carry guns prevents senseless violence in our communities.”
Other suspects arrested Wednesday and facing federal charges include:
- Robert Steven Carrillo, 31, of Redlands;
- Alexander Ramirez “Dozer” Manzo, 34, of Pacoima;
- Brandon C. Torres, 30, of Van Nuys;
- Antonio “Trippy” Cisneros, 31, of North Hollywood;
- Gino Cesar Dresda, 24, of Panorama City;
- Anival Alvarez, 41, of San Fernando;
- Maribel Lopez-Reyes, 30, of San Fernando;
- Luis Angel Torres, 28, of Palmdale;
- Rudy Salazar, 36, of Mission Hills;
- Albert Benjamin “Dragon” Perez, 57, of Granada Hills; and
- Steven Clyde Neaville, 53, of Van Nuys.
State defendants include Manuel R. Moreno, 35, aka “Bobby” or “Mo,” and Urban A. Jones, 29, a fugitive.
Additional state defendants that were already in police custody for previous charges include:
- Jose L. Hernandez, 28, aka “Pollo”;
- Audel Rangel Jr., 42;
- Jimmy Meza, 29;
- Erik Moneterroz; and
- Juan Gerardo, aka “Necio.”
“Working together we successfully arrested 11 federal defendants with a criminal history of more than 100 prior arrests and more than two dozen felony convictions. The six state defendants (have) a combined criminal history of more than 30 prior arrests and more than a handful of felony convictions,” Harden said.
View video from Wednesday’s operation here.
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Annette says
Wow, you people should remember one thing. The news is only read to you. It is not the truth. It is fed to us to incite fear so we believe that the GOV will take care of us. Unfortunatly, you will believe anything. Did the people making judgemental comments know any of the people arrested. You should not pass judgement because you don’t have all the facts. Again you will believe anything that you hear on the news. Try doing some investigating on your own. I do and let me tell you how much money was spent and it comes out of our paychecks. Has anyone heard of entrapment. Does anyone know that informants are allowed to commit feloneys left and right with no convictions. Do you know that they set up crimes for the people they want that don’t even do those things and sometimes pressure them to do it by begging for a favor for a friend (entrapment). This is fact! Do some investigating for yourself. Hopefully one day it won’t happen to you. Prayers for all the families effected by this message.
Satan says
[removed] whoever said it’s good that they’re off the streets. One of them is my husband and he isn’t a violent person. He was just trying to pay the [removed] rent. [removed]
John says
The Antelope Valley Times will have some of these people on a Most Wanted AV Parolee article next year.
How will tougher gun laws keep guns away from multi-city criminal organizations? These people had access to illegal gun manufacturing shops that made AK-47 and AR-15 type rifles.
These criminals want tougher gun laws because it only takes the guns away from law abiding citizens.
No LEAPS says
None of these criminals were caught by LEAPS, or the Eye no the Sky. LEAPS is a complete waste of money and another example of the corruption that is Mayor R. Rex Parris. LEAPS is owned by longtime Parris contributor Frank Visco. $10 million dollars from Lancaster taxpayers into the bank account of Visco, courtesy of Mayor Parris.
Carla K says
☻ Yeah! Glad some of these thugs are locked up. I hope these creeps are locked away for a very long time- too bad they can’t get sentenced to life….
Laughing says
Devil’s Advocate – Some of them saw a need in the community, created a business model, manufactured the parts and assembled them into a finished product and then sold them for a tidy profit. If we can train them to pay taxes and do things legally they could be business owners! Then run for president!
Chemists are always needed in various fields and manufacturing of weapons is a lucrative business, plus those same skill can make a car, a rocket, a house, the sky is the limit.
jl says
If it was your family or fried going through this property you would not talk out of your ass dumb ass
[removed] says
you sound stupid. if it was a family member you wouldn’t want that.
R.L says
I hope something like that happens to one of you loved ones and hope they get life you would not be talking [removed]. You talk because you think you know but none of you know wat is going one one the ones involved
Sheepdog says
Guess these felons found a gun show loophole.
NFA weapons are so easy to pickup in california
There should be tighter gun laws, or something!
I’m also going out on a limb and say they all had hi-cap magazine too.
Jimmy Dean says
What does the 2nd Amendment have to do with hunting?
chio says
That happens yesterday around my house on 23st east and ave I in lancaster the swat team come and a lot of police break in that house they said we can’t pass because a guy was inside and they found a lot of guns and drugs so is why I am surprised they said this was in the valley..so I’m confused..
Wendy says
I know a bible thumper that has all those guns lol…. she put them on her Facebook acting all gangster but puts god quotes up all the time. She publicly humiliated me on Facebook and she is a God fearing lady. She has AK 47s and more. She does marijuana puts people down she makes a good wife Brandee is her name… Brandee your a fine girl…. what a good wife you would be!!!! lol!!!! this is not to insult good Christians I’m just sharing the diversity of illegal gun owners. I wish she would be arrested for my humiliation. [removed] married men…. hahaha
Sick of fools says
The low life that Trump wants to get rid of
R.j says
F you and wat you believe hope you or some one you know hose down just like that
Too much!! says
The amount of weapons and rounds confiscated from the 11 people mentioned in this news piece rivals the amount ONE #TRUMPRACIST supporter carries daily for “hunting purposes”- ROTFFLOL!