Nearly Two Dozen Arrested on Methamphetamine Conspiracy Charges in "Operation Eclipse"

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that almost two dozen defendants are now in custody on methamphetamine conspiracy charges after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the East County Regional Gang Task Force searched locations this morning throughout east San Diego County. These arrests are associated with the unsealing today of two indictments.

The East County Regional Gang Task Force is charged with protecting the public from the criminal and violent acts of street gangs in the East County area. The task force is composed of the FBI, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the San Diego District Attorney's Office, the San Diego Probation Department, the Department of Corrections - State Parole, the El Cajon Police Department, the La Mesa Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

These indictments and arrests are part of a year-long investigation known as "Operation Eclipse." This operation has focused on long-term methamphetamine distribution rings operating in east San Diego County. As of today, 21 defendants are now in custody, more than $45,000 in drug proceeds have been recovered, and methamphetamine and five handguns have been taken off the streets as the result of this cooperative law enforcement effort.

In addition to the arrests made today associated with the unsealed indictments, two additional defendants, Martin Bowman and Simon Cervantes, both from El Cajon, California, will be charged in a complaint with narcotics-related offenses. The defendants arrested today are expected to be in court on Wednesday afternoon, November 10, 2010.

DEFENDANTS

Case Number: 10CR4247-BTM

Luis Carlos Barragan; Age: 32; Spring Valley, CA; Arrested 9/30/10
Alexander Roberto Espinoza; Age: 20; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 10/4/10
Joel Baeza; Age: 24; National City, CA; Arrested 9/30/10
Sherry June Angel; Age: 44; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Miguel Angel Ponce; Age: 20; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Jose Luis Garcia; Age: 31; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Jeftee Garcia; Age: 21; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 10/22/10
Rex Jaena Dioso; Age: 47; National City, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Robin Deann Miller; Age: 41; El Cajon, CA; Arrested 11/9/10

Summary of Charges

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) - Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
Maximum Penalties: Life in Custody; Minimum Custody: 10 years; Maximum Fine: $4 million

Case Number: 10CR4248-BTM

Miguel Torres, aka Miguel Torres-Calvillo, aka Miguel Calbillo; Age: 24; San Diego, CA; Arrested 10/14/10
Manuel Vera; Age: 37; Chula Vista, CA; FUGITIVE
Juan Antonio Hernandez; Age: 34; Imperial Beach, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Jerry Lynn Dempsey; Age: 50; Jamestown, CA; Arrested 11/9/10
Francisco David Valencia; Age: 32; San Diego, CA; Arrested 11/9/10

Summary of Charges

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Maximum Penalties: Life in Custody; Minimum Custody: 10 years; Maximum Fine: $4 million

Case Number: 10CR3592-BTM

Daniel Valencia-Cabrera; Age: 42; Azusa, CA; Arrested 8/9/10
Fernando Arroyo Cervantes; Age: 29; Highland, CA; Arrested 8/9/10
Eddgar Efrain Ceballos; Age: 30; Imperial Beach, CA; Arrested 8/9/10
Juan Daniel Romero-Martinez; Age: 32; Spring Valley, CA; Arrested 8/12/10
Alicia Romo Withers, aka Alicia Romo Marin; Age: 51 Spring Valley, CA; Arrested 8/12/10

Summary of Charges

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Maximum Penalties: Life in Custody; Minimum Custody: 10 years; Maximum Fine: $4 million

Case Number: 10CR3626-BTM

Joseph Phillip Reynoso; Age: 23; Spring Valley, CA; Arrested 8/12/10

Summary of Charges

Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) - Illegal Use of a Communication Facility
Maximum Penalties: Four Years in Custody; Maximum Fine: $250,000

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
San Diego County District Attorney's Office
San Diego County Probation Department
El Cajon Police Department
La Mesa Police Department
Department of Corrections - State Parole
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
San Diego Police Department
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

An indictment or complaint itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.