Task Force Investigation Results in 16 Charged Federally for Their Roles in Long Beach-Area Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

LONG BEACH, CA—An investigation that led to federal charges against 16 members and associates of a Mexican Mafia-affiliated street gang for their roles in a drug distribution network culminated this morning with multiple arrests, announced Bill Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; Andrė Birotte, Jr., the United States Attorney in Los Angeles; and Chief Jim McDonnell of the Long Beach Police Department.

The federal defendants were charged in either criminal complaints or grand jury indictments returned in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

The majority of the federal defendants are charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. One subject was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nine federal defendants were arrested during this morning’s operation; two have been deported for unrelated reasons, and one is considered a fugitive. Four of those charged were already in state or federal custody. The remaining two defendants were arrested in Florida and Texas, respectively. Those charged in the federal indictments are listed below:

• Gerardo Galvan, aka “Big Head,” 31, of San Pedro
• John David Martin, aka “Smokey,” 30, of Cudahy
• Manuel Cuanriquez, aka “Wacky,” 31, of Downey
• Jose G. Hernandez, “Serio,” 31, considered to be a fugitive
• John Gonzalez, aka “Cisco,” 33, of Long Beach
• Raudel Sandoval, aka “Lil Gumby,” 32, of Long Beach
• Danny Jose Salazar, “Lonely,” 28, of Long Beach
• Geraldo Santos, aka “Sugar Bear,” 30, of Bellflower
• Joseph Ferguson, aka “Jawbreaker,” 41, of Florida
• Martha Torres, aka “Lil’ Martha,” 25, of Wilmington
• Francisco Sianez, aka “Profit,” of Texas
• Daniel Martinez, “Soldier Boy,” 25, previously in state custody
• Jose Antonio Baldovinos, aka “Lil’ Bozo,” 35, deported
• Baltazar Santacruz, 35, previously in federal custody
• Julio Mario Peraza, aka “Coco,” 27, deported
• Jose Manuel Gomez, aka “Gato,” 37, previously in state custody

One subject, Mario J. Engfui, 33, was arrested this morning by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and is charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney with murder in connection with this investigation.

The investigation focused on the “shot-callers” for the Longos street gang, considered to be the largest and among the most violent in the Long Beach area, and its associated cliques. During this investigation, several individuals were charged by the District Attorney with various violent crimes based on information obtained in this case.

The federal defendants arrested today will have an appearance in United States District Court this afternoon in Los Angeles or in the federal district in which they were arrested. If convicted of the charges, defendants face statutory maximum sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force in Long Beach, which is made up of agents and officers with the FBI and the Long Beach Police Department. Throughout this investigation and during today’s operation, the task force received assistance from multiple law enforcement partners, to include the Los Angeles Police Department; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Los Angeles County Probation Department (LCPD); and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. FBI agents in Florida and Texas assisted with arrests in their respective territories.

The federal defendants will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.

An indictment or criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.

Contacts:

• FBI Press Relations: 310 996-3343
• Long Beach Police Department Media Relations: 562 570-5273
• United States Attorney’s Office: Thom Mrozek: 213 894-6947