Members and Associates of Dove Springs Gangstas in Austin Face Federal Drug Trafficking and Racketeering Charges

In Austin, members and associates of the Dove Springs Gangstas (aka “DSG”) face federal charges in connection with the death of Darian Longoria in December 2015 announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.

A ten-count federal grand jury indictment charges 22–year-old Richard Ortega, 21-year-old Orlando Arroyo (aka “Orly”), and 20-year-old Brian Aguayo with one count of murder in aid of racketeering, one count of kidnapping in aid of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  The indictment also charges Ortega with two counts, and Arroyo with one count, of discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime or a crime of violence.  Ortega and Arroyo are also charged with one count of possession/use/carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in murder.

The indictment further charges Ortega with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana from 2013 to May 2017.  The indictment also charges 35-year-old Jorge Avilez-Mondragon (aka “Bunny”, “Conejo”), 36-year-old Norma Luis-Frias, 21-year-old Jacob Guzman, 22-year-old Leslie Mendez-Munoz, and 20–year-old Kathia Gomez with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine from April 2016 through October 2016.  Avilez-Mondragon and Mendez-Munoz are also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, namely, Perez Elementary.  Luis-Frias and Guzman are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine near a school (Perez).

The indictment alleges that members of DSG engaged in acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, robbery and narcotics distribution primarily in and around Austin in order to further, preserve and protect the power, territory and profits of their criminal enterprise.  The indictment specifically alleges that Ortega, Arroyo and Aguayo conspired to kidnap, shoot and kill 16-year-old Darian Longoria on or about December 7, 2015.  On January 3, 2016, Longoria’s body was discovered along Onion Creek.

Statutory penalties upon conviction are as follows: Murder in aid of racketeering -- mandatory life in federal prison; Kidnapping in aid of racketeering charge -- up to life in federal prison; Conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering -- up to ten years in federal prison; Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking or violent crime – between ten years and life in federal prison; Possession/use/carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in murder – up to life in federal prison; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana – up to five years in federal prison; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine – up to 20 years in federal prison; and, Possession with intent to distribute cocaine near a school – between one and 40 years in federal prison.

All of the defendants remain in federal custody with the exception of Kathia Gomez.  At a detention hearing this morning, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Lane ordered that Luis-Frias, Avilez-Mondragon, Arroyo and Guzman be held without bond pending trial.  Prior to today, Ortega, Aguayo, and Mendez-Munoz waived their detention hearings agreeing to remain in federal custody pending trial.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin released Gomez on a personal recognizance bond on September 25, 2017.  Jury selection and trial in this case is scheduled for December 4. 2017, before U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks in Austin.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Austin Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Harding and Dan Guess are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.  The FBI Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO).

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.