Nine charged in Mexican Mafia murder conspiracy and extortion plot in Pomona
Nine people face charges linked to a Mexican Mafia murder conspiracy and extortion scheme in Pomona, CA. Six were arrested Wednesday; $200K cash and 11 ghost guns seized.
Mexican Mafia-linked shooting and extortion ring dismantled in Pomona
Nine people have been charged over an alleged Mexican Mafia-linked murder conspiracy and extortion scheme in Pomona, California, the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office announced Wednesday, according to nbclosangeles.com.
Eight of the defendants are alleged associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. A ninth is accused of removing spent ammunition casings from the scene of a July shooting to obstruct investigators from collecting evidence.
Six defendants were arrested on Wednesday. Two remained at large at the time of the announcement, and one was already incarcerated on unrelated charges.
Victim placed on death-threat list over alleged debt
Investigators say the victim was targeted over a perceived debt and alleged violations of Mexican Mafia rules. He was placed on an "86" list, barring him from entering Pomona or illegal casinos operated by the gang under threat of death, prosecutors said. His vehicle was also seized as part of the alleged extortion scheme.
When the man was spotted driving along a residential street in Pomona in July, a gunman allegedly fired 12 to 15 rounds while walking toward his vehicle. The victim's car was struck at least three times. A second vehicle parked outside a nearby church was struck at least four times, including in the driver's-side headrest.
Following the shooting, alleged gang associates contacted the victim and demanded $2,000 to lift the threat of violence and arrange the return of his vehicle, the FBI said.
Search warrants yield cash, drugs and ghost guns
Search warrants executed during the investigation and Wednesday's operation allegedly resulted in the seizure of approximately $200,000 in cash, methamphetamine, and 11 firearms with missing or obliterated serial numbers — commonly referred to as ghost guns.
The case was investigated by the FBI's San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, headquartered at the Pomona Police Department, alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Major Crimes Bureau. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed the charges.
Defendants
The six individuals arrested Wednesday were identified as Jose Montano, 34, of Compton; Stephane Lechuga, 25, of Ontario; Joseph Rizo, 56, of Chino Hills; Irving Cisneros, 34, of Hacienda Heights; Jovana Reyes, 37, of Monterey Park; and Ruben Figueroa, 48, of Pomona.
Authorities were still seeking Jeffrey Griffin, 44, of Montclair, and David Arenas, 30, of Pomona. Jose Argumedo, 47, of Monterey Park, was already held in custody on separate charges.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)