Leader of Meth Ring Tied to the El Cajon Hoodlums Gang Sentenced to 14 Years

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Luis Carlos Barragan, aka “Tiny,” was sentenced today to serve 168 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz. Barragan pleaded guilty on February 1, 2011, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Barragan headed a methamphetamine distribution ring that extended throughout San Diego County, including El Cajon, Spring Valley, Santee, and National City. Several members of the methamphetamine conspiracy were also members of the El Cajon Hoodlums street gang, including Barragan’s right-hand man, Alexander Espinoza, who was the founder of the El Cajon Hoodlums.

This case is part of a year-long investigation known as “Operation Eclipse” by the East County Regional Gang Task Force. This operation focused on long-term methamphetamine distribution rings operating in east San Diego County. 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’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Case Number: 10CR4247-BTM

DEFENDANTS
Luis Carlos Barragan
168 Months

Alexander Roberto Espinoza
Sentencing Hearing 9/30/2011

Joel Baeza
51 Months

Sherry June Angel
42 Months

Miguel Angel Ponce
78 Months

Jose Luis Garcia
132 Months

Jeftee Garcia
Sentencing Hearing 10/21/2011

Rex Jaena Dioso
40 Months

Robin Deann Miller
Sentencing Hearing 10/24/2011

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

Case Number: 10CR4248-BTM

Manuel Vera
Sentencing Hearing 11/18/2011

Jerry Lynn Dempsey
Sentencing Hearing 9/23/2011

Francisco David Valencia
Sentencing Hearing 10/28/2011

Summary of Charges
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Case Number: 10CR3592-BTM

Daniel Valencia-Cabrera
Sentencing Hearing 9/30/2011

Fernando Arroyo Cervantes
70 Months

Eddgar Efrain Ceballos
Sentencing Hearing 9/30/2011

Juan Daniel Romero-Martinez
96 Months

Alicia Romo Withers aka Alicia Romo Marin
50 Months

Summary of Charges
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846—Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Case Number: 10CR5094-IEG

Miguel Torres aka Miguel Torres-Calvillo aka Miguel Calbillo
87 Months

Summary of Charges
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1)—Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute

Case Number: 10CR4701-BTM

Simon Cervantes-Zurita aka Simon Zurita-Cervantes
Sentencing Hearing 10/28/2011

Martin David Bowman
Sentencing Hearing 10/28/2011

Summary of Charges
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1)—Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute

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’s Homeland Security Investigations
San Diego Police Department
U.S. Customs and Border Protection