FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending July 10, 2009

Washington, D.C. July 10, 2009

St. Louis/Kansas City/Springfield/Dallas: Nationwide Crackdown on Dog Fighting

In multiple cases around the country, many people were taken into custody for operating numerous dog fighting ventures. As of 07/08/09, at least 350 dogs had been seized as part of the investigation. Charges against the defendants include conspiracy to travel across state lines to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture and to aid in illegal gambling and bookmaking activities, among others.

Los Angeles: Largest Gang Case in U.S. History with Nearly 200 Defendants Named in Federal Indictments

In the nation’s largest-ever gang investigation and prosecution, a law enforcement task force arrested on 07/08/09, an additional 11 defendants named in federal charges that are linked to the Hawaiian Gardens gang that was previously the subject of a sweeping racketeering indictment. With the investigation dubbed Operation Knock Out drawing to a close, federal authorities have unsealed indictments charging 192 defendants, and 132 of those defendants have been taken into custody. With dozens of arrests leading to charges being filed in state court, Operation Knock Out has led to more than 300 gang members and associates being taken off the street.

Salt Lake City: Alleged Utah Drug Dealers, Distribution Organizations Targeted in Three Significant Federal Indictments

Fourteen individuals are charged in three federal indictments with violations of federal drug laws in connection with the alleged distribution of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in Utah. The indictments follow a significant 16-month investigation into drug trafficking organizations conducted by the FBI, Sandy City Police Department, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

San Diego: Indictment Charges Civilian Navy Employees and Contractors with Fraud and Bribery

A 25-count indictment was unsealed on 07/07/09, charging six individuals with corruption and fraud charges related to defense contracting at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), a government organization based in San Diego that is responsible for the development of technology to collect, process, display and manage information essential to successful military operations.

Las Vegas: Aryan Warrior Gang Members Convicted in Federal Racketeering Case

Following a seven-week federal jury trial, five members of the Aryan Warriors prison/street gang were found guilty of conspiracy to engage in a racketeering organization (RICO) or conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The racketeering charges include multiple acts involving murder, attempted murder, extortion, operating an illegal gambling business, identity theft and fraud and drug trafficking.

Atlanta: Illegal Immigrants Sentenced in Georgia for Kidnapping, Abusing Drug Dealer

Victor Abiles Gomez, Omar Mendoza-Villegas, and Gerardo Solorio Reyes, a/k/a “Gera,” all illegal immigrants from Mexico, have been sentenced to federal prison on hostage-taking and related charges, arising from the week-long kidnapping and abuse of a drug dealer.

New York: Six Charged in $140 Million Investment Fraud and Stock Manipulation Scheme

Ross H. Mandell, Stephen Shea, Adam Harrington, a/k/a “Adam Rukdeschel”, Arn Wilson, Robert Grabowski, and Michael Passaro have been charged in a two-count Indictment with conspiracy to commit securities, wire and mail fraud; and with securities fraud. The defendants surrendered to agents of the FBI.

San Juan: Twelve Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking Resulting in Death and Civil Rights Violations

A grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an eight-count indictment on 07/07/09, charging 12 individuals with conspiracy to commit a carjacking that resulted in death and conspiracy to violate civil rights. The events, which occurred from about April 2008 until May 2008, resulted in the death of Elis Manuel Andrades-Telleria. The defendants were arrested by FBI agents with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD).

Chicago: Two Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot

Heidi L. Friedburg and William C. Alexander, both of New Carlisle, Indiana, were arrested in a murder-for-fire plot, without incident, by members of the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) in south suburban Lansing, Illinois. The arrests culminated a two-week investigation that began when a third party brought the plot, which targeted an unnamed Illinois man, to the attention of the Chicago FBI.

Indianapolis: Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment on Internet Bomb Threats

A three-count indictment was returned against Ashton Lundeby, 16, for his role in Internet bomb and related threats directed to Purdue University, Indiana University/Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Ind., and numerous other educational institutions throughout the country. Lundeby and other co-conspirators would target institutions that used Web-based video surveillance cameras. They would log into those cameras, call in a bomb threat, and watch the police response in real-time, an illegal activity known as “swatting.”