Court filing
INDICTMENT filed as to Claire Patricia Haviland (1) count(s) 1, 2, Brian Glenn Ekelund (2)… — Prestamos (Dkt. 1)
Summary
Indictment in United States v. Claire Patricia Haviland et al., No. 2:24-cr-00570-WLH, filed September 26, 2024 as Document 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It names Haviland, Brian Glenn Ekelund and other defendants on charges including racketeering conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)), drug conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846), bank fraud conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 1349), bank fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344) and aggravated identity theft. Count One alleges that those two, other defendants named in it and unindicted co-conspirators were members and associates of the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, which it calls a criminal organization engaged in narcotics trafficking and fraud, among other things. The 254-page indictment ends with forfeiture allegations, the foreperson's /s/ signature and U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada's signature block.
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Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 1 of 254 Page ID #:1
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4 SEP 26 2024
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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9 FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10 October 2023 Grand Jury
11 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 2:24-CR-00570-WLH
CR No.
12 Plaintiff, I N D I C T M E N T
13 v. [18 U.S.C. § 1962(d): Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt
14 CLAIRE PATRICIA HAVILAND, Organizations Conspiracy; 21
aka “Trish,” U.S.C. § 846: Conspiracy to
15 aka “SFV Mama,”
BRIAN GLENN EKELUND, Distribute and to Possess with
16 aka “Rascal,” Intent to Distribute Controlled
JOHN MICHAEL REED, Substances; 18 U.S.C. § 1349:
17 aka “Johnny Boi SFV,” Conspiracy To Commit Bank Fraud;
KENNETH CRISWELL, 18 U.S.C. § 1344: Bank Fraud; 18
18 aka “Spinner,” U.S.C. § 1028A: Aggravated
STEVEN MICHAEL SILVERBERG, Identity Theft; 21 U.S.C.
19 aka “Meat SFV,” §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A),
DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM,
20 aka “DJ,” (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), (b)(2):
aka “Monster,” Possession with Intent to
21 CORY DANIEL SIMS, Distribute and Distribution of
aka “Sicko SFV,” Controlled Substances; 18 U.S.C.
22 BRIANNE BREWER, § 922(g)(1): Felon in Possession
aka “Bri,” of a Firearm and Ammunition; 18
23 aka “Brianne Brewer Gill,” U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A): Possess a
ZACHARY S. WINTERS,
24 aka “Boogie SFV,” Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug
COLIN NICHOLAS SLACK, Trafficking Crime; 18 U.S.C.
25 aka “Shorty SFV,” § 1029(a)(3): Possession of
ROBERT M. SLAYTON, Fifteen or More Unauthorized
26 aka “Bezerker,” Access Devices; 18 U.S.C. § 2(a):
MICHAEL VITANZA, Aiding and Abetting; 18 U.S.C.
27 aka “Suspect,” §§ 924(d)(1), 981(a)(1)(C),
PAUL JOHN PICHIE, 982(a)(2)(A), 1963(a)(3), 21
28 aka “Sinister,”
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 2 of 254 Page ID #:2
1 ERIC STEVE SCHULTZ, U.S.C. §§ 853, 881(a)(6) and (11),
GUY MANNING WILLS, & 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c): Forfeiture]
2 aka “FedEx,”
CHARISSA MARIE CHOTARD,
3 aka “Brat,”
JULIE ANN ROMERO,
4 CYNTHIA VAN VLYMEN,
aka “Siren,”
5 PAUL ERIC ATKINSON,
aka “Pork Chop,”
6 ERNEST HILL,
aka “Badger,”
7 PAGET GARY EKELUND,
SCOTT JOSHUA VENNUM,
8 MICHAEL ANTHONY CHATTERTON,
aka “Reckless,”
9 CODY JENE SMITH,
aka “Codie Smith Gigliello,”
10 aka “Shifty,”
CHRISTOPHER CRAIG,
11 GABRIELA IBARRA,
aka “Gabby,”
12 ASHLEE NICOLE SWINK,
KEVIN D. FRANCIS,
13 RICHARD KEVIN RILEY,
KENNETH DANIEL PAYER,
14 aka “Tower,”
aka “Sugg White,”
15 KENNETH RICHARD MACDONALD,
aka “Misfit SFV,”
16 aka “Kenny Mac,”
ADAM L. RODNEY,
17 WILLIAM SCOTT POLLAY,
CHRISTOPHER PATRICK POLLAY,
18 DANIEL YACOUB,
aka “Danny Boy,”
19 TARA JANE BECKWITH,
JULIO ABNER GAITHER,
20 aka “Indio,”
SIMON R. FREEMAN,
21 aka “Grumpy,”
MICHAEL ANDREW MORENO,
22 EARL EDDSON WATTS,
ELMER ROLANDO VILLATORO,
23 aka “Wacky,”
ALBERT ETHAN EKLUND,
24 KEVIN DANIEL MULVIHILL,
aka “Mo,”
25 CIARA JACOBS,
aka “Simba Jay,”
26 CURTIS WATSTEIN,
aka “Stretch,”
27 ROBERT ANTHONY BAKER,
RYAN SCOTT HARBAND,
28 NISHANT RAMACHANDRAN,
2
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 3 of 254 Page ID #:3
1 CHASE AUSTIN FLACK,
TAYLOR C. BINGAMAN,
2 aka “Scummy,”
aka “Scumfuck,”
3 JAMES ALLEN THAEMERT,
aka “JT,”
4 aka “Big Foot,”
DAVID MITCHELL SHAPIRO,
5 SEAN CRAIG GLUCKMAN,
JEREMY RUSSEL SCHWARTZ,
6 aka “Ironman,”
JUSTIN DANIEL DIETZEN,
7 CHRISTOPHER MARK PREVEDELLO,
aka “Mouse,”
8 aka “Evil,”
MASON EDWARD HEINTZ,
9 CYNTHIA MARIE MUNOZ,
aka “Thumper,”
10 HENISI UTSLER,
aka “Henisi Montoya,”
11 REBEKA ANNA BENEDICT,
aka “Lazy Egg,”
12 MEGAN MEJIA,
WALTER HUBERT LEIMERT,
13 aka “Creepz,”
AMANDA JOY RAVIN,
14 TANYA NURRIA RESNICK,
MARIA ANNA JAMES,
15 aka “Maria Daizy,”
MATT THOMAS POWERS,
16 aka “Oso,”
CODY SEAN CHAN, and
17 JOI UNGAMRUNG,
18 Defendants.
19
20 The Grand Jury charges:
21 COUNT ONE
22 [18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)]
23 A. THE ENTERPRISE
24 1. At all relevant times, defendants CLAIRE PATRICIA HAVILAND,
25 aka “Trish,” aka “SFV Mama” (“HAVILAND”), BRIAN GLENN EKELUND, aka
26 “Rascal” (“B. EKELUND”), JOHN MICHAEL REED, aka “Johnny Boi SFV”
27 (“REED”), ROBERT M. SLAYTON, aka “Bezerker” (“SLAYTON”), KENNETH
28 CRISWELL, aka “Spinner” (“CRISWELL”), STEVEN MICHAEL SILVERBERG, aka
3
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1 “Meat SFV” (“SILVERBERG”), DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM, aka “DJ,” aka
2 “Monster” (“CUNNINGHAM”), CORY DANIEL SIMS, aka “Sicko SFV” (“SIMS”),
3 BRIANNE BREWER, aka “Bri,” “Brianne Brewer Gill,” (“BREWER”), ZACHARY
4 S. WINTERS, aka “Boogie” (“WINTERS”), COLIN NICHOLAS SLACK, aka
5 “Shorty SFV” (“SLACK”), and unindicted co-conspirator #3, unindicted
6 co-conspirator #9, unindicted co-conspirator #12, unindicted co-
7 conspirator #23, unindicted co-conspirator #31, unindicted co-
8 conspirator #39, unindicted co-conspirator #41, unindicted co-
9 conspirator #42, unindicted co-conspirator #43, unindicted co-
10 conspirator #44, unindicted co-conspirator #45, unindicted co-
11 conspirator #46, unindicted co-conspirator #48, and others known and
12 unknown to the Grand Jury, were members and associates of the San
13 Fernando Valley Peckerwoods (“SFV”), a criminal organization engaged
14 in, among other things, conspiracy to traffic in narcotics, narcotics
15 trafficking, wire fraud, financial institution fraud, and fraud and
16 related activity in connection with identification documents and
17 access devices. The SFV criminal organization operated in the Central
18 District of California and elsewhere.
19 2. The SFV, including its leaders, members, and associates,
20 constituted an enterprise as defined by Title 18, United States Code,
21 Section 1961(4), that is, a group of individuals associated in fact
22 that was engaged in, and the activities of which affected, interstate
23 and foreign commerce (hereinafter referred to as the “SFV enterprise,”
24 “SFV criminal enterprise,” “SFV,” or the “SFV Peckerwoods”). The SFV
25 enterprise constituted an ongoing organization whose members
26 functioned as a continuing unit for a common purpose of achieving the
27 objectives of the enterprise.
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1 B. GENERAL DEFINITIONS
2 1. The San Fernando Valley, known locally as “the Valley,” is
3 an urbanized valley in Los Angeles County, California. It is situated
4 to the north of the Los Angeles Basin and contains a large portion of
5 the city of Los Angeles, several unincorporated areas, and the
6 incorporated cities of Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, and
7 San Fernando. Neighborhoods within the San Fernando Valley include
8 Canoga Park, Granada Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pacoima,
9 Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sun Valley, Toluca Lake, Valley
10 Village, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills. Notable streets within the San
11 Fernando Valley include Ventura Boulevard, Laurel Canyon Boulevard,
12 Coldwater Canyon Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Riverside Drive.
13 2. Signal is an encrypted messaging service for instant
14 messaging, voice calls, and video calls. The instant messaging
15 function includes sending text, voice notes, images, videos, and other
16 files. Communication may be one-to-one between users or may involve
17 group messaging.
18 3. Telegram Messenger, commonly known as Telegram, is a cloud-
19 based, cross-platform, encrypted instant messaging service. It allows
20 users to exchange messages, share media and files, and hold private
21 and group voice or video calls as well as public livestreams.
22 Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption in voice and video calls,
23 and in optional private chats, which Telegram calls Secret Chats.
24 4. Facebook Messenger is an American proprietary instant
25 messaging app and platform developed by Meta Platforms. Messenger is
26 used to send messages and exchange photos, videos, stickers, audio,
27 and files, and to react to other users’ messages and interact with
28 bots. The service also supports voice and video calling.
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1 5. Cash App is a mobile payment service available in the
2 United States and the United Kingdom that allows users to transfer
3 money to one another using a mobile phone app.
4 6. Zelle is a United States–based digital payments network
5 that enables individuals to electronically transfer money from their
6 bank accounts to another registered user’s bank account using a mobile
7 device or the website of a participating banking institution.
8 7. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
9 or (“CDCR”) manages the State of California’s prison system. Each
10 incarcerated inmate is assigned to a CDCR facility with a security
11 level that corresponds to their calculated placement score range.
12 Placement scores are determined by the incarcerated person’s age,
13 crime committed and if violence was used, prior incarcerations, and
14 gang involvement. The highest placement range is a Level IV. Level
15 IV CDCR facilities have a secure perimeter with internal and external
16 armed coverage and housing units or cell block housing with cells non-
17 adjacent to exterior walls.
18 8. The Federal Bureau of Prisons or (“BOP”) manages federal
19 prisons for individuals incarcerated in connection with violations of
20 federal criminal law.
21 9. Inmates in BOP and CDCR custodial facilities are not
22 permitted to have cellular telephones. A contraband cellular
23 telephone is a cellular telephone that an inmate has unauthorized
24 access to while in a BOP or CDCR custodial facility.
25 10. A happy card is a greeting card that is saturated in a
26 controlled substance, including methamphetamine, heroin, or fentanyl,
27 and sent to an inmate who is incarcerated in a CDCR or BOP facility.
28 The card will resemble a normal greeting card, however, inmates are
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1 able to ingest the drugs in custody by chewing on small pieces of the
2 card. The recipient of the happy card may also generate money while
3 in custody by selling portions of the card to other inmates.
4 11. “Taxes” are a portion of profits generated by criminal
5 activity, including drug distribution activity, that must be paid to a
6 criminal organization in exchange for the ability to engage in crime
7 in the “territory” overseen by that criminal organization.
8 12. The SFV criminal enterprise is a white criminal street gang
9 primarily located in the San Fernando Valley, and is alternatively
10 known as the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, “SFV,” and/or “SFV
11 Peckerwoods.” Peckerwoods also have factions in cities and
12 communities such as Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Canoga Park, Tujunga,
13 North Hollywood, Burbank, Reseda, and Tarzana.
14 13. The name “Peckerwoods” was originally a derogatory term for
15 white people developed in the prison system that has since been
16 adopted by white supremacist groups themselves. Presently, a
17 Peckerwood, or “Wood,” is what a white inmate is known as in prison.
18 Peckerwoods take pride in being a “Wood,” and no longer consider the
19 term to be derogatory.
20 14. Peckerwoods use the symbol of a woodpecker to represent
21 their Peckerwood status, as depicted below:
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1 15. Unindicted co-conspirator #3 is one of the founding members
2 of SFV. He is presently housed in federal custody at FCI Florence.
3 16. SFV members often refer to the SFV as the “Family” or the
4 “Car” and refer to fellow SFV members as “Brothers.” The leaders of
5 the SFV criminal enterprise are referred to as the “Key Holders” or
6 having “the keys to the car.” These leaders have ultimate authority
7 in all SFV matters.
8 17. Female Peckerwoods are known as “Featherwoods.” The most
9 common symbol for Featherwoods is simply the word “Featherwood,” or an
10 image of a feather. Female Peckerwoods refer to themselves as
11 “Featherwoods” in Internet messages and memes, such as the image
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1 18. The letters SFV are the most popular tattoo by SFV
2 Peckerwoods, as well as the 818-area code. The name variation
3 Peckerwood Gangsters (“PWG”) is often attached or identified with in
4 relation to SFV Peckerwoods. In addition to “SFV” referring to the
5 geographic location of the “San Fernando Valley,” SFV members also use
6 the letters to refer to the acronym of “Searching for Victims.” SFV
7 members often demonstrate their membership in SFV through tattoos such
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22 19. The Peckerwoods support white nationalist ideas and use
23 symbols like the swastika and “88,” the white supremacist numerical
24 code for “Heil Hitler.” SFV members often demonstrate their support
25 for SFV’s ideology through tattoos, clothing, and other items
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Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 11 of 254 Page ID #:11
1 bearing the swastika, such as in the pictures below:
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1 20. SFV members engage in a wide variety of criminal activity,
2 including drug trafficking, crimes of violence, and fraud. In 2016,
3 the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office filed nuisance abatement orders
4 against SFV members and associates and identified properties in
5 Granada Hills and Canoga Park as havens for SFV criminal activity.
6 According to those filings, Los Angeles police officers recovered
7 stolen vehicles and credit cards, heroin, and methamphetamine on
8 multiple occasions at the Granada Hills home of defendant REED, an SFV
9 member. Photographs from inside one of the residences that was the
10 subject of the filings showed swastikas and Confederate flags adorning
11 the walls, as well as an SFV symbol, as depicted below:
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1 21. In the past decade, Facebook has become one of the most
2 common methods that SFV members use to communicate regarding their
3 shared criminal activities. Most defendants and unindicted co-
4 conspirators identified in this Indictment have one or more personal
5 Facebook profiles and have used Facebook Messenger to engage in drug
6 trafficking, fraud, and witness intimidation, and/or to plot details
7 of future criminal activity with other co-conspirators.
8 22. Additionally, SFV members and associates established a
9 private Facebook group on January 6, 2013 (the “SFV Facebook Page”).
10 The SFV Facebook Page has remained active since that time. Members of
11 this private Facebook group use the SFV Facebook Page to:
12 a. Affirm with others their active SFV membership,
13 including by sharing their SFV monikers and pictures of their SFV
14 tattoos.
15 b. Update each other regarding law enforcement
16 activities, including by sharing photographs of suspected undercover
17 law enforcement officers that may be investigating SFV members or
18 engaged in enforcement activity in the San Fernando Valley.
19 c. Identify for each other individuals who are
20 potentially cooperating with law enforcement to discuss whether
21 violent retaliation is appropriate.
22 d. Provide updates to each other regarding the status of
23 members and associates of SFV and other criminal organizations who
24 maintain positions of authority in and around the San Fernando
25 Valley.
26 23. As a white supremacist gang, the SFV at times takes orders
27 from the Aryan Brotherhood (“AB” or “the Brand”) – the dominant white
28 supremacist gang in California. The SFV also pays a proceed of their
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1 drug trafficking to the AB. Payments of such “taxes” to the AB
2 confers protection from rival gang attacks and allows the SFV to
3 continue drug dealing and other criminal activity within AB-controlled
4 territory.
5 24. The AB has an “alliance” with the Mexican Mafia. The
6 Mexican Mafia, also known as “La Eme,” is another prison-based
7 criminal organization comprised mostly of senior members of southern
8 California Hispanic street gangs who have come together to control and
9 profit from the activities of Hispanic gangs operating in southern
10 California. Canoga Park Alabama Street (“Canoga Park”) is a
11 predominately Hispanic street gang operating in the west San Fernando
12 Valley in the City of Los Angeles. It is a gang that answers to the
13 Mexican Mafia.
14 25. Because of the alliance that the AB has with the Mexican
15 Mafia, some AB members have the authority to tell Mexican Mafia
16 members and members of Hispanic street gangs, such as Canoga Park,
17 that members of white criminal street gangs, including the SFV
18 criminal enterprise, are not to be “taxed” by members and associates
19 of the Mexican Mafia.
20 C. PURPOSES OF THE ENTERPRISE
21 1. The purposes of the SFV enterprise included, but were not
22 limited to, the following:
23 a. Enriching members and associates of the SFV through,
24 among other things, the control of, and participation in, the
25 trafficking of controlled substances, and the commission of financial
26 frauds.
27 b. Maintaining control over all SFV territory.
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1 c. Preserving, protecting, and expanding the power of SFV
2 through the use of intimidation, violence, and threats of violence.
3 d. Violently retaliating against rival gang members or
4 perceived outsiders who challenge the SFV’s authority or attempt to
5 encroach on the SFV’s territory.
6 D. MEANS AND METHODS OF THE ENTERPRISE
7 1. The means and methods by which members and associates of
8 the SFV conducted and participated in the conduct of the affairs of
9 the SFV included the following:
10 a. Members and associates of the SFV committed, attempted
11 to commit, conspired to commit, and threatened to commit acts of
12 violence to preserve, protect, and expand the SFV’s criminal
13 operations.
14 b. Members and associates of the SFV promoted a climate
15 of fear through acts of violence and threats to commit acts of
16 violence.
17 c. Members and associates of the SFV engaged in the
18 trafficking of controlled substances, committed robberies, and
19 committed financial fraud and identity theft schemes to generate
20 revenue for the enterprise.
21 d. Members and associates of the SFV communicated using
22 social media to share information about, among other things,
23 trafficking in controlled substances, committing fraud, rules of the
24 SFV, identifying SFV members in good standing, and targeting people
25 who broke SFV rules. Such social media use included both an SFV-
26 members-only Facebook group and private, direct messages between SFV
27 members and associates.
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1 e. Members and associates of the SFV illegally maintained
2 firearms and ammunition.
3 2. Beginning on a date unknown to the Grand Jury, and
4 continuing to in or around September 2024, in Los Angeles, Ventura,
5 and Riverside Counties, within the Central District of California, and
6 elsewhere, defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, REED, SLAYTON, CRISWELL,
7 SILVERBERG, CUNNINGHAM, SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, and SLACK, and others
8 known and unknown to the Grand Jury, being persons employed by and
9 associated with the SFV, an enterprise which engaged in, and the
10 activities of which affected, interstate and foreign commerce,
11 unlawfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed
12 together and with each other to violate Title 18, United States Code,
13 Section 1962(c), that is, to conduct and participate, directly and
14 indirectly, in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise through a
15 pattern of racketeering activity, as that term is defined in Title 18,
16 United States Code, Sections 1961(1) and 1961(5), which pattern of
17 racketeering consisted of the following:
18 a. Multiple offenses involving the distribution of,
19 possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute
20 and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, in
21 violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841, and 846;
22 b. Multiple acts indictable under Title 18, United Staes
23 Code, Sections 1343 (related to wire fraud) and 1344 (relating to
24 financial institution fraud); and
25 c. Multiple acts indictable under Title 18, United States
26 Code, Sections 1028 (relating to fraud and related activity in
27 connection with identification documents) and 1029 (relating to fraud
28 and related activity in connection with access devices).
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1 It was a further part of the conspiracy that each defendant
2 agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of
3 racketeering in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise.
4 E. MEANS BY WHICH THE OBJECT OF THE CONSPIRACY WAS TO BE
5 ACCOMPLISHED
6 The object of the conspiracy was to be accomplished, in
7 substance, as follows:
8 1. Defendants CUNNINGHAM and WINTERS, and others known and
9 unknown to the Grand Jury, would maintain firearms and other dangerous
10 weapons to be used in connection with the SFV criminal enterprise and
11 its operations, including in connection with drug distribution
12 activities.
13 2. Defendants HAVILAND, BREWER, B. EKELUND, and others known
14 and unknown to the Grand Jury, would maintain and oversee drug stash
15 locations, including drug stash locations overseen by unindicted co-
16 conspirator #1 while co-conspirator #1 was in CDCR custody, where
17 large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs
18 were stored prior to distribution to drug customers in and around the
19 Central District of California.
20 3. Defendants HAVILAND, BREWER, B. EKELUND, WINTERS, and
21 others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, including unindicted co-
22 conspirator #40, unindicted co-conspirator #43, unindicted co-
23 conspirator #44, and unindicted co-conspirator #48, would obtain drugs
24 to distribute from drug sources of supply, some of which would be
25 distributed by SFV members.
26 4. Defendants HAVILAND, BREWER, B. EKELUND, WINTERS, and
27 others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, including unindicted co-
28 conspirator #40, unindicted co-conspirator #43, unindicted co-
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1 conspirator #44, and unindicted co-conspirator #48, would distribute
2 drugs to drug customers.
3 5. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, and others known and
4 unknown to the Grand Jury, would distribute drugs to customers outside
5 of the state of California via the mail.
6 6. Defendant BREWER, and others known and unknown to the Grand
7 Jury, would transport drugs to locations outside of the Central
8 District of California in order to distribute drugs to customers in
9 those districts.
10 7. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, and others known and
11 unknown to the Grand Jury, would facilitate their drug distribution
12 activity through the use of Cash App and Zelle by receiving money from
13 drug customers and sending money to drug sources of supply via these
14 mobile payment services.
15 8. Senior members of the SFV criminal enterprise, including
16 defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, BREWER, and SLAYTON, and others known
17 and unknown to the Grand Jury, would communicate directly with AB
18 members or high-ranking AB associates, including via contraband
19 cellular telephones that AB members or high-ranking AB associates
20 maintained in custodial facilities, to obtain their input with respect
21 to the activities of the SFV criminal enterprise, and communicate
22 their input and orders to others.
23 9. Defendants SIMS, BREWER, and others known and unknown to
24 the Grand Jury, would carry out fraud schemes in order to generate
25 money for themselves and other members of the SFV criminal enterprise.
26 10. Defendant HAVILAND, BREWER, and others known and unknown to
27 the Grand Jury, would share information with members and associates of
28 the SFV criminal enterprise and the AB regarding law enforcement
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1 activity and individuals who might be cooperating with law
2 enforcement.
3 F. OVERT ACTS
4 In furtherance of the conspiracy and to accomplish its object,
5 on or about the following dates, defendants HAVILAND, BREWER, B.
6 EKELUND, REED, SLAYTON, CRISWELL, SILVERBERG, CUNNINGHAM, SIMS,
7 WINTERS, SLACK, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury,
8 committed various overt acts in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Riverside
9 Counties, within the Central District of California, and elsewhere,
10 including but not limited to the following:
11 Overt Act No. 1: On December 14, 2016, defendant BREWER
12 posted the following screenshot of a news article to the SFV Facebook
13 Page along with the comment, “Ugh oh.”
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26 Overt Act No. 2: On December 14, 2016, in response to
27 defendant BREWER’s post, unindicted co-conspirator #48 posted to the
28 SFV Facebook Page:
19
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 20 of 254 Page ID #:20
1 Literally laughed out loud. Catch me if u can motherfuckers I stay
riding dirty, stay with a warrent, this is RISKY and im a proud
2 fucking member of SFV PWG! Cant stop me if you cant catch me. Fuck
em its only a gang if your not in it! Its my family and I fucking
3
laugh at this cuz we arent stopping shit and theyve got a hell of a
4 loss coming if they think they can stop us...
5
Overt Act No. 3: On March 28, 2017, defendant BREWER posted
6
to the SFV Facebook Page:
7
Ok so I know we are all SFV and always will be no matter where we go
8 but let’s do a roll call I am curious to where everyone has ended
up!!! I am in Lancaster Ca these days but still rep SFV every chance
9 I get.
10 Overt Act No. 4: On March 28, 2017, in response to defendant
11 BREWER’s post, defendant CRISWELL posted to the SFV Facebook Page:
12 “Center of the universe sfv.”
13 Overt Act No. 5: On June 4, 2017, defendant BREWER posted to
14 the SFV Facebook Page: “So let’s see if we can get some participation
15 where in the valley is everyone from! If your town is not on here
16 add it and input your poll. Love my SFV heads.”
17 Overt Act No. 6: On June 4, 2017, in response to defendant
18 BREWER’s post, unindicted co-conspirator #48 posted to the SFV
19 Facebook Page: “I grew up in canoga park, but my affiliation is
20 tujunga-sunland. Thats who loves me the most.”
21 Overt Act No. 7: On June 7, 2017, in response to defendant
22 BREWER’s post, defendant SIMS posted to the SFV Facebook Page: “Born
23
and raised tujunga ∎SFV PECKER WOOD∎∎TUJUNGA DGAF∎”
24 Overt Act No. 8: On July 9, 2017, unindicted co-conspirator
25 #30 posted to the SFV Facebook Page: “S.F.V. COWBOY CHECKIN IN !!!
26 HOMEBOYS SOUND THE FUCK OFF !!!!!”
27
28
20
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 21 of 254 Page ID #:21
1 Overt Act No. 9: On July 9, 2017, in response to unindicted
2 co-conspirator #30’s post, unindicted co-conspirator #48 posted to
3 the SFV Facebook Page: “Woods crackin brother Risky SFV PWG.”
4 Overt Act No. 10: On May 12, 2020, defendant SIMS, using coded
5 language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Chase Austin
6 Flack (“Flack”) that he was preparing to place an order with a drug
7 source of supply.
8 Overt Act No. 11: On May 25, 2020, defendant SIMS received
9 from a drug customer, using coded language in a Facebook message
10 exchange, an order for a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine.
11 Overt Act No. 12: On June 16, 2020, in response to unindicted
12 co-conspirator #30’s post, defendant BREWER posted to the SFV
13 Facebook Page: “Big bad Bri right here my peeps. Hop yall have a
14 bitchen ass day.”
15 Overt Act No. 13: On June 16, 2020, defendant SIMS posted to
16 the SFV Facebook Page: “Sending mines from the rock....East side
17 valley life TUJUNGA..SFV..SICKO.. SFV..PECKERWOODS...”
18 Overt Act No. 14: On June 16, 2020, unindicted co-conspirator
19 #30 posted to the SFV Facebook Page:
20 Brothers and sister the fact I have to say this at all is Bullshit !!
[J.J.] is out BAD !!!! If any of you post anything in support of
21 [Black Lives Matter] like [J.J.] did , I will personally cut your
fuckin letters off you !!!!! S.F.V.
22
COWBOY !!!
23
24 Overt Act No. 15: On June 16, 2020, in response to unindicted
25 co-conspirator #30’s post, unindicted co-conspirator #48 posted to
26 the SFV Facebook Page:
27 I wish all the blacks and all the cops would just kill ALL of each
other. Our side of the dayroom only! If thats all that was left in
28
21
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 22 of 254 Page ID #:22
1 the world, that would be awesome.
2 Overt Act No. 16: On June 17, 2020, unindicted co-conspirator
3 #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
4 defendant SLAYTON that the price for a quarter of a pound of
5 methamphetamine had increased to $900.
6 Overt Act No. 17: On June 18, 2020, defendant SLAYTON, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered a quarter of a
8 pound of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
9 Overt Act No. 18: On June 18, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG
10 posted to the SFV Facebook Page: “S F V MEAT from cahenga to Topanga
11 I stay Reppin, check in In!!!!!!!!”
12 Overt Act No. 19: On June 24, 2020, defendant CUNNINGHAM,
13 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
14 Amanda Joy Ravin (“Ravin”) that he had high-quality heroin available
15 to distribute and offered to provide defendant Ravin with a sample of
16 the drugs.
17 Overt Act No. 20: On June 29, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
19 co-conspirator #48 that he had heroin to distribute to customers.
20 Overt Act No. 21: On June 30, 2020, defendant SLAYTON, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Jeremy
22 Russel Schwartz (“Schwartz”) that he had methamphetamine available to
23 distribute.
24 Overt Act No. 22: On July 13, 2020, defendant SLAYTON, using
25 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
26 Schwartz that he had heroin available to distribute.
27
28
22
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 23 of 254 Page ID #:23
1 Overt Act No. 23: On July 21, 2020, defendant SLAYTON, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 Schwartz that he had methamphetamine and heroin available to sell.
4 Overt Act No. 24: On July 21, 2020, defendant SLAYTON, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 Schwartz that he had methamphetamine and heroin available to sell.
7 Overt Act No. 25: On August 5, 2020, defendant WINTERS
8 maintained a firearm and displayed a photograph of the firearm on
9 Facebook messenger, as depicted below.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27 Overt Act No. 26: On August 12, 2020, unindicted co-
28 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
23
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 24 of 254 Page ID #:24
1 asked unindicted co-conspirator #12 to identify the current leader of
2 the SFV Hate Gang.
3 Overt Act No. 27: On September 16, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, informed
5 unindicted co-conspirator #48 that he had obtained a new firearm and
6 sent unindicted co-conspirator #48 a photograph of the firearm,
7 depicted below.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 Overt Act No. 28: On September 22, 2020, defendant WINTERS,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
21 Cody Jene Smith (“Smith”) that he had approximately one ounce of
22 heroin available to distribute.
23 Overt Act No. 29: On October 3, 2020, defendant WINTERS, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
25 that he had access to high-quality methamphetamine to sell at a
26 discounted rate that he obtained from “the brotherhood.”
27
28
24
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 25 of 254 Page ID #:25
1 Overt Act No. 30: On October 11, 2020, defendant SLACK, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Henisi
3 Utsler (“Utsler”) that he had “SFV blasted on [his] chest.”
4 Overt Act No. 31: On October 19, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
6 co-conspirator #48 that he needed to obtain a quarter of a pound of
7 methamphetamine to deliver to San Diego.
8 Overt Act No. 32: On November 10, 2020, defendant WINTERS,
9 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to sell
10 defendant Smith an ounce of drugs for $600.
11 Overt Act No. 33: On November 14, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
13 customer that he had high-quality heroin available to distribute.
14 Overt Act No. 34: On December 11, 2020, unindicted co-
15 conspirator #48 posted the following photograph via Facebook with the
16 caption: “Bang bang.”
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
25
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 26 of 254 Page ID #:26
1 Overt Act No. 35: On December 15, 2020, defendant SILVERBERG,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 SLACK that he needed to deliver heroin to a drug customer.
4 Overt Act No. 36: On January 10, 2021, defendant WINTERS,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
6 half an ounce of high-quality heroin to another member of the SFV
7 criminal enterprise.
8 Overt Act No. 37: On January 14, 2021, in response to
9 unindicted co-conspirator #48’s post, unindicted co-conspirator #51
10 posted: “never the matter 4 weeks 4 month 40 years iits S.F.V.”
11 Overt Act No. 38: On January 16, 2021, defendant SIMS, using
12 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
13 methamphetamine to a drug customer.
14 Overt Act No. 39: On January 17, 2021, defendant SILVERBERG,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered heroin
16 from defendant SLACK.
17 Overt Act No. 40: On January 19, 2021, defendant WINTERS,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
19 heroin to defendant Smith.
20 Overt Act No. 41: On January 30, 2021, defendant SLACK, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 SILVERBERG that he was able to supply him with a quarter of a pound
23 of drugs.
24 Overt Act No. 42: On February 11, 2021, unindicted co-
25 conspirator #48 sent another SFV member the following Facebook
26 message: “My closet door... signed by everyone...” together with the
27 below photograph.
28
26
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 27 of 254 Page ID #:27
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Overt Act No. 43: On February 20, 2021, defendant WINTERS,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
16 drugs to defendant Walter Hubert Leimert (“Leimert”).
17 Overt Act No. 44: On March 8, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
18 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
19 unindicted co-conspirator #49 that unindicted co-conspirator #41
20 wanted to purchase a firearm from unindicted co-conspirator #49.
21 Overt Act No. 45: On March 8, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
22 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
23 unindicted co-conspirator #49 that members of the SFV criminal
24 enterprise “have a constant need ALWAYS for firearms and you become
25 their supplier you could blow up.”
26 Overt Act No. 46: On March 22, 2021, in Los Angeles,
27 California, unindicted co-conspirator #43 possessed with intent to
28 distribute approximately 397.3 grams of methamphetamine that was 100%
27
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 28 of 254 Page ID #:28
1 pure, 247 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable
2 amount of heroin, and 12 grams of a mixture or substance containing a
3 detectable amount fentanyl.
4 Overt Act No. 47: On April 1, 2021, defendant SIMS, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent defendant BREWER
6 victim M.N.’s date of birth, social security number, and address so
7 that defendant BREWER could activate a stolen credit card.
8 Overt Act No. 48: On April 7, 2021, defendant WINTERS sent
9 defendant Ashlee Nicole Swink (“Swink”) $500 via Cash App and
10 indicated that the money was on behalf of unindicted co-conspirator
11 #2.
12 Overt Act No. 49: On April 25, 2021, defendant WINTERS, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
14 that he had fentanyl available to distribute.
15 Overt Act No. 50: On May 16, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
16 #45, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to
17 supply ounces of methamphetamine to defendant SILVERBERG.
18 Overt Act No. 51: On June 20, 2021, defendant SLAYTON, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
20 conspirator #43 that his new Cash App tag was: $SFVsFinestWhiteBoi88.
21 Overt Act No. 52: On July 20, 2021, defendant CUNNINGHAM,
22 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
23 unindicted co-conspirator #50 with an ounce of methamphetamine at a
24 discounted price so that unindicted co-conspirator #50 could make a
25 profit selling the drugs to customers.
26 Overt Act No. 53: On September 12, 2021, defendant WINTERS,
27 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
28 co-conspirator #1 that he was hiding from law enforcement.
28
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 29 of 254 Page ID #:29
1 Overt Act No. 54: On September 24, 2021, defendant CUNNINGHAM,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 Ravin that he had heroin available to distribute.
4 Overt Act No. 55: On September 25, 2021, defendant WINTERS,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 Taylor C. Bingaman (“Bingaman”) that he was able to sell him an ounce
7 of fentanyl for $1,300.
8 Overt Act No. 56: On September 26, 2021, unindicted co-
9 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
10 told defendant Sean Craig Gluckman (“Gluckman”) that if defendant
11 Gluckman “cr[ied] to the big homie” and told unindicted co-
12 conspirator #6 about defendant Utsler’s debt, he was “gonna kill
13 [defendant Gluckman,]” not “beat [defendant Gluckman] up, not stab
14 [defendant Gluckman], like actually fucking take [defendant
15 Gluckman’s] life.”
16 Overt Act No. 57: On October 2, 2021, defendant WINTERS, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
18 Bingaman that he was able to distribute fentanyl for $900 an ounce.
19 Overt Act No. 58: On October 22, 2021, unindicted co-
20 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
21 told another SFV member that members of the SFV criminal enterprise
22 “answer to the aryan brotherhood in prison,” and that the AB “wrote
23 the code.”
24 Overt Act No. 59: On October 22, 2021, unindicted co-
25 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
26 told another SFV member that AB members “can be ruthless but you
27 gotta appreciate that many of them are doing life behind us not
28 having to fight for our shoes when we hit the county.”
29
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 30 of 254 Page ID #:30
1 Overt Act No. 60: On October 22, 2021, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
3 told another SFV member that members of the SFV criminal enterprise
4 are “friendly with south [siders] and we share neighborhoods with
5 them but we don’t answer to them.”
6 Overt Act No. 61: On October 28, 2021, unindicted co-
7 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
8 told unindicted co-conspirator #49 that a member of the SFV criminal
9 enterprise wanted to purchase a firearm from unindicted co-
10 conspirator #49.
11 Overt Act No. 62: On December 5, 2021, unindicted co-
12 conspirator #41, using Facebook Messenger, sent defendant Gluckman
13 the photograph depicted below of a new firearm that he had obtained.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26 Overt Act No. 63: On December 21, 2021, unindicted co-
27 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
28
30
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 31 of 254 Page ID #:31
1 told defendant SLACK that a drug customer wanted to purchase a
2 quarter of an ounce of drugs from defendant SLACK.
3 Overt Act No. 64: On January 21, 2022, unindicted co-
4 conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
5 told another SFV member that he didn’t “have ANY big homie except
6 [unindicted co-conspirator #3] and members of the brand.”
7 Overt Act No. 65: On February 3, 2022, defendant SIMS, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered a quarter of a
9 pound of methamphetamine from a drug source of supply.
10 Overt Act No. 66: On February 17, 2022, defendant BREWER
11 possessed methamphetamine to distribute, as well as credit card
12 numbers and identification cards that belonged to other individuals.
13 Overt Act No. 67: On February 22, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
15 co-conspirator #48 that he had high-quality methamphetamine available
16 to distribute at a price of $130 an ounce.
17 Overt Act No. 68: On February 28, 2022, defendant BREWER,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
19 heroin to unindicted co-conspirator #48.
20 Overt Act No. 69: On March 1, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
21 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
22 co-conspirator #48 that defendant Richard Kevin Riley (“Riley”) was
23 his drug source of supply.
24 Overt Act No. 70: On March 9, 2022, defendant WINTERS, using
25 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Leimert
26 that he was able to obtain high-quality heroin from a drug source of
27 supply.
28
31
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 32 of 254 Page ID #:32
1 Overt Act No. 71: On March 18, 2022, defendant WINTERS, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
3 fentanyl to a drug customer.
4 Overt Act No. 72: On March 20, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 Kenneth Daniel Payer (“Payer”) that he presently had an ounce of
7 heroin and needed heroin customers.
8 Overt Act No. 73: On March 20, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
9 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
10 customer that he had high-quality heroin available to distribute.
11 Overt Act No. 74: On March 26, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
13 customer that he had high-quality heroin and methamphetamine
14 available to distribute.
15 Overt Act No. 75: On March 31, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
16 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
17 defendant Payer that unindicted co-conspirator #3 was the one who had
18 made unindicted co-conspirator #48 a “peckerwood gangster.”
19 Overt Act No. 76: On April 4, 2022, in Los Angeles California,
20 unindicted co-conspirator #48 possessed a Glock, Model 22, .40
21 caliber pistol and numerous rounds of ammunition while in a vehicle
22 with defendant Payer.
23 Overt Act No. 77: On April 8, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
25 Payer that he presently had fentanyl available to distribute.
26 Overt Act No. 78: On April 15, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
27 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Ravin
28 that he had heroin available to distribute.
32
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 33 of 254 Page ID #:33
1 Overt Act No. 79: On April 20, 2022, defendant SIMS, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
3 that he was able to supply methamphetamine.
4 Overt Act No. 80: On April 22, 2022, defendant SLACK, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant BREWER
6 to send him money via Cash App so that he could obtain additional
7 drugs from a source of supply.
8 Overt Act No. 81: On April 23, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
10 that he had an ounce of heroin available to distribute.
11 Overt Act No. 82: On April 26, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
13 Smith that he had fentanyl available to distribute.
14 Overt Act No. 83: On April 29, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Tara
16 Jane Beckwith (“Beckwith”) that he had high-quality fentanyl
17 available to distribute to customers.
18 Overt Act No. 84: On May 7, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
20 Beckwith that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute
21 and that he would be able to obtain heroin to distribute from a drug
22 source of supply.
23 Overt Act No. 85: On May 11, 2022, defendant BREWER, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered two ounces of
25 drugs from defendant SLACK.
26 Overt Act No. 86: On May 11, 2022, defendant BREWER, using
27 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered two ounces of
28 drugs from defendant CRISWELL.
33
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 34 of 254 Page ID #:34
1 Overt Act No. 87: On May 13, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply an
3 ounce of methamphetamine to unindicted co-conspirator #48.
4 Overt Act No. 88: On May 25, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply an
6 ounce of fentanyl to a drug customer.
7 Overt Act No. 89: On May 25, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to facilitate
9 the supply of heroin to a drug customer that defendant Beckwith had
10 identified for him.
11 Overt Act No. 90: On May 28, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG, using
12 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
13 that he had fentanyl available to distribute and warned the customer
14 not to say “fetty” on Facebook Messenger.
15 Overt Act No. 91: On May 29, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
16 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Ravin
17 that he had heroin available to distribute.
18 Overt Act No. 92: On June 12, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant Ciara
20 Jacobs (“Jacobs”) that he had M30 pills available to distribute.
21 Overt Act No. 93: On June 12, 2022, defendant WINTERS posted
22 to a Facebook group chat: “[Y]ou already know that I’m the big bad
23 boogy man from the west end! SFV rocker earned not bought along with
24 my handle because I boogy down after the shot.”
25 Overt Act No. 94: On June 13, 2022, an unindicted co-
26 conspirator and SFV member, using coded language in a Facebook
27 message exchange, told defendant BREWER that he had methamphetamine
28
34
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 35 of 254 Page ID #:35
1 available to distribute and sent defendant BREWER a photograph of the
2 drugs, shown below.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Overt Act No. 95: On June 13, 2022, defendant BREWER, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered
16 methamphetamine from the SFV member who had sent her the photograph
17 of the drugs that were available.
18 Overt Act No. 96: On June 16, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
19 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
20 unindicted co-conspirator #13 that he was unindicted co-conspirator
21 #3’s “arm” with respect to the SFV criminal enterprise while
22 unindicted co-conspirator #3 was in custody.
23 Overt Act No. 97: On June 16, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
24 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
25 unindicted co-conspirator #13 that unindicted co-conspirator #31
26 presently had the “keys” to the SFV criminal enterprise and was equal
27 to unindicted co-conspirator #3 and told unindicted co-conspirator
28
35
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 36 of 254 Page ID #:36
1 #13 that unindicted co-conspirator #3 did not have authority over
2 unindicted co-conspirator #31.
3 Overt Act No. 98: On June 22, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to sell
5 nine grams of heroin to a drug customer for $250.
6 Overt Act No. 99: On June 24, 2022, defendant CRISWELL, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
8 Beckwith that he possessed fentanyl to distribute.
9 Overt Act No. 100: On June 27, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
10 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked
11 defendant CRISWELL to supply him with an ounce of methamphetamine as
12 well as a quantity of heroin.
13 Overt Act No. 101: On June 27, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
15 an ounce of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of heroin to
16 unindicted co-conspirator #48.
17 Overt Act No. 102: On July 1, 2022, defendant Smith, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply a
19 quarter of a pound of methamphetamine as well as an ounce of fentanyl
20 to defendant SILVERBERG.
21 Overt Act No. 103: On July 1, 2022, defendant SIMS, using coded
22 language in a Facebook message exchange, told Facebook user J.P. that
23 defendant SIMS “got cracked with a strap and a bunch of drugs then
24 bailed the got cracked with another gun and fraud,” and explained
25 that, when he was arrested with drugs, it was “not that much it was a
26 light day a pound and like 4 or 5 [ounces] of [heroin] and a loaded
27 compact 45.”
28
36
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 37 of 254 Page ID #:37
1 Overt Act No. 104: On July 5, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
3 unindicted co-conspirator #13 that unindicted co-conspirator #3 was
4 his “big homie” as it related to the SFV criminal enterprise.
5 Overt Act No. 105: On July 19, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG
6 possessed approximately 70.35 grams of methamphetamine and 10.81
7 grams of heroin to distribute to drug customers in Northridge,
8 California.
9 Overt Act No. 106: On July 20, 2022, defendant REED sent
10 defendant BREWER the following Facebook message:
11 “I was gonna see if you knew anybody who fucked with norcos and Zanex
some body gave me some blue 30s and the z bars that owes me money now
12 there just 2 more felonies in the glove box feel me ?”
13
Overt Act No. 107: On July 23, 2022, defendant BREWER, using
14
coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
15
drugs from defendant REED.
16
Overt Act No. 108: On July 23, 2023, defendant CUNNINGHAM, in
17
his residence in Granada Hills, California, possessed with intent to
18
distribute approximately 953.5 grams of fentanyl and 336 grams of
19
methamphetamine, and possessed multiple firearms, numerous rounds of
20
ammunition, body armor, and tools to press kilogram fentanyl bricks.
21
Overt Act No. 109: On August 25, 2023, defendant BREWER, using
22
coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant Guy
23
Manning Wills (“Wills”) that unindicted co-conspirator #40’s
24
residence was “raided” by law enforcement.
25
Overt Act No. 110: On August 25, 2023, defendants BREWER and
26
Wills, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, speculated
27
regarding the identity of individuals who might be cooperating with
28
37
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1 law enforcement against members of the SFV criminal enterprise and
2 members and associates of the AB.
3 Overt Act No. 111: On September 27, 2023, defendant B. EKELUND,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted
5 co-conspirator #11 that defendant Wills would deliver drug
6 distribution proceeds to unindicted co-conspirator #11 on defendant
7 B. EKELUND’s behalf.
8 Overt Act No. 112: On September 28, 2023, defendant B. EKELUND,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted
10 co-conspirator #11 to give B. EKELUND’s telephone to unindicted co-
11 conspirator #35 while defendant B. EKELUND was in custody.
12 Overt Act No. 113: On October 29, 2023, defendant SLAYTON sent
13 defendant Kevin D. Francis (“Francis”) $550 via Cash App.
14 Overt Act No. 114: On November 6, 2023, using coded language in
15 a recorded telephone call, defendants HAVILAND and Julie Ann Romero
16 (“Romero”) discussed thousands of dollars of drug distribution
17 proceeds that were at defendant HAVILAND’s residence, and the portion
18 of the drug distribution proceeds that belonged to unindicted co-
19 conspirator #1 versus the portion that belonged to an individual
20 referred to as “L.”
21 Overt Act No. 115: On November 7, 2023, defendant REED, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant Michael
23 Anthony Chatterton (“Chatterton”) that he was traveling to defendant
24 Chatterton’s location to deliver a quantity of drugs and instructed
25 defendant Chatterton to send him money via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 116: On November 19, 2022, defendant BREWER,
27 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
28
38
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1 SIMS that she was attempting to fraudulently obtain a social security
2 number of an identity theft victim.
3 Overt Act No. 117: On November 29, 2023, defendant BREWER,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to obtain
5 a social security number of an identity theft victim for defendant
6 SIMS.
7 Overt Act No. 118: On December 22, 2023, defendant REED, using
8 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply an
9 ounce of drugs to a customer.
10 Overt Act No. 119: On December 22, 2023, defendant REED, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to meet a drug
12 customer in Tarzana, California to supply the customer with drugs.
13 Overt Act No. 120: On December 28, 2023, defendant REED, using
14 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to distribute
15 Xanax to a drug customer.
16 Overt Act No. 121: On December 29, 2023, defendant REED, using
17 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply eight
18 ounces of drugs to a drug customer.
19 Overt Act No. 122: On January 2, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant David
21 Mitchell Shapiro (“Shapiro”) that defendant SLAYTON had half a pound
22 of methamphetamine available to distribute to defendant Shapiro.
23 Overt Act No. 123: On January 2, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
24 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
25 that the price of an ounce of methamphetamine was $100 and that
26 defendant SLAYTON was attempting to obtain heroin to distribute to
27 customers from his drug source of supply.
28
39
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1 Overt Act No. 124: On January 3, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
3 Christopher Mark Prevedello (“Prevedello”) that he had fentanyl
4 available to distribute and that he was able to sell a quarter of an
5 ounce of fentanyl for $450.
6 Overt Act No. 125: On January 3, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
7 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant Francis
8 that a drug customer was interested in purchasing $3,000 worth of
9 fentanyl.
10 Overt Act No. 126: On January 3, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant Francis
12 that he had $1,200 in cash and $500 in Cash App.
13 Overt Act No. 127: On January 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
14 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
15 fentanyl to defendant James Allen Thaemert (“Thaemert”).
16 Overt Act No. 128: On January 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
17 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
18 fentanyl to defendant Ernest Hill (“Hill”) to distribute to drug
19 customers.
20 Overt Act No. 129: On January 5, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
22 Prevedello that he had an ounce of drugs available to distribute.
23 Overt Act No. 130: On January 5, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
24 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant William
25 Scott Pollay (“W. Pollay”) that he would be obtaining additional
26 drugs to distribute from a drug source of supply.
27 Overt Act No. 131: On January 6, 2024, defendant REED, using
28 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
40
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1 that he had high-quality methamphetamine available to distribute and
2 would determine the price of a pound of the methamphetamine.
3 Overt Act No. 132: On January 8, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
4 defendant Francis $500 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 133: On January 8, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
6 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant Hill that
7 he had fentanyl available to distribute.
8 Overt Act No. 134: On January 9, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
10 methamphetamine to defendant W. Pollay.
11 Overt Act No. 135: On January 10, 2024, unindicted co-
12 conspirator #8 and defendant HAVILAND, using coded language in a text
13 message exchange, discussed the fact that unindicted co-conspirator
14 #1 had his contraband cellular telephone seized by law enforcement.
15 Overt Act No. 136: On January 12, 2024, defendant SLAYTON,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
17 Prevedello that he was going to obtain methamphetamine to distribute
18 from a drug source of supply.
19 Overt Act No. 137: On March 17, 2024, defendant REED possessed
20 with intent to distribute methamphetamine in a vehicle in Tujunga,
21 California.
22 Overt Act No. 138: On March 18, 2024, defendant REED possessed
23 with intent to distribute approximately 86.13 grams of
24 methamphetamine in Tujunga, California.
25 Overt Act No. 139: On March 20, 2024, defendant BREWER
26 coordinated a three-way telephone call between herself, unindicted
27 co-conspirator #1, and defendant Charissa Marie Chotard (“Chotard”).
28
41
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1 Overt Act No. 140: On March 28, 2024, defendant SIMS possessed
2 multiple social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of
3 birth, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers stolen from
4 identity theft victims.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
42
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 43 of 254 Page ID #:43
1 COUNT TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. § 846]
3 Parts A and B of Count One are re-alleged and incorporated by
4 reference as if fully set forth herein.
5 A. OBJECTS OF THE CONSPIRACY
6 Beginning on a date unknown to the Grand Jury, and continuing to
7 in or around September 2024, in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Riverside
8 Counties, within the Central District of California, and elsewhere,
9 defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, REED, CRISWELL, SILVERBERG,
10 CUNNINGHAM, SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, SLACK, ROBERT M. SLAYTON, aka
11 “Bezerker” (“SLAYTON”), MICHAEL VITANZA, aka “Suspect” (“VITANZA”),
12 PAUL JOHN PICHIE, aka “Sinister” (“PICHIE”), ERIC STEVE SCHULTZ
13 (“SCHULTZ”), GUY MANNING WILLS, aka “FedEx” (“WILLS”), CHARISSA
14 MARIE CHOTARD, aka “Brat” (“CHOTARD”), JULIE ANN ROMERO (“ROMERO”),
15 CYNTHIA VAN VLYMEN, aka “Siren” (“VAN VLYMEN”), PAUL ERIC ATKINSON,
16 aka “Pork Chop” (“ATKINSON”), ERNEST HILL (“HILL”), PAGET GARY
17 EKELUND (“P. EKELUND”), SCOTT JOSHUA VENNUM (“VENNUM”), MICHAEL
18 ANTHONY CHATTERTON, aka “Reckless” (“CHATTERTON”), CODY JENE SMITH,
19 aka “Codie Smith Gigliello,” aka “Shifty,” (“SMITH”), CHRISTOPHER
20 CRAIG, aka “Lefty” (“CRAIG”), GABRIELA IBARRA, aka “Gabby”
21 (“IBARRA”), ASHLEE NICOLE SWINK (“SWINK”), KEVIN D. FRANCIS
22 (“FRANCIS”), RICHARD KEVIN RILEY (“RILEY”), KENNETH DANIEL PAYER, aka
23 “Tower,” aka “Sugg White” (“PAYER”), KENNETH RICHARD MACDONALD, aka
24 “Misfit,” aka “Kenny Mac,” (“MACDONALD”), ADAM L. RODNEY (“RODNEY”),
25 WILLIAM SCOTT POLLAY (“W. POLLAY”), CHRISTOPHER PATRICK POLLAY (“C.
26 POLLAY”), DANIEL YACOUB, aka “Danny Boy” (“YACOUB”), TARA JANE
27 BECKWITH (“BECKWITH”), JULIO ABNER GAITHER, aka “Indio” (“GAITHER”),
28 SIMON R. FREEMAN, aka “Grumpy” (“FREEMAN”), MICHAEL ANDREW MORENO
43
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1 (“MORENO”), EARL EDDSON WATTS (“WATTS”), ELMER ROLANDO VILLATORO, aka
2 “Wacky” (“VILLATORO”), ALBERT ETHAN EKLUND (“EKLUND”), KEVIN
3 MULVIHILL, aka “Mo” (“MULVIHILL”), CIARA JACOBS, aka “Simba Jay”
4 (“JACOBS”), CURTIS WATSTEIN, aka “Stretch” (“WATSTEIN”), ROBERT
5 ANTHONY BAKER (“BAKER”), RYAN SCOTT HARBAND (“HARBAND”), NISHANT
6 RAMACHANDRAN (“RAMACHANDRAN”), CHASE AUSTIN FLACK (“FLACK”), TAYLOR
7 C. BINGAMAN, aka “Scummy,” aka “Scumfuck” (“BINGAMAN”), JAMES ALLEN
8 THAEMERT, aka “JT,” aka “Big Foot” (“THAEMERT”), DAVID MITCHELL
9 SHAPIRO (“SHAPIRO”), SEAN CRAIG GLUCKMAN (“GLUCKMAN”), JEREMY RUSSEL
10 SCHWARTZ, aka “Ironman” (“SCHWARTZ”), JUSTIN DANIEL DIETZEN
11 (“DIETZEN”), CHRISTOPHER MARK PREVEDELLO, aka “Mouse,” aka “Evil”
12 (“PREVEDELLO”), MASON EDWARD HEINTZ (“HEINTZ”), CYNTHIA MARIE MUNOZ,
13 aka “Thumper” (“MUNOZ”), HENISI UTSLER, aka “Henisi Montoya”
14 (“UTSLER”), REBEKA ANNA BENEDICT, aka “Lazy Egg” (“BENEDICT”), MEGAN
15 MEJIA (“MEJIA”), WALTER HUBERT LEIMERT, aka “Creepz” (“LEIMERT”),
16 AMANDA JOY RAVIN (“RAVIN”), TANYA NURRIA RESNICK (“RESNICK”), MATT
17 THOMAS POWERS, aka “Oso” (“POWERS”), CODY SEAN CHAN (“CHAN”), JOI
18 UNGAMRUNG (“UNGAMRUNG”), and others known and unknown to the Grand
19 Jury, conspired and agreed with each other to knowingly and
20 intentionally (1) possess with intent to distribute, and
21 (2) distribute:
22 1. At least 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II
23 controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
24 Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii);
25 2. At least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
26 detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled
27 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
28 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii);
44
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1 3. At least five grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II
2 controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
3 Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii);
4 4. At least 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
5 detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled
6 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
7 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii);
8 5. A mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
9 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of
10 Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C);
11 6. At least 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
12 detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl]
13 propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled
14 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
15 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(vi);
16 7. At least 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
17 detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled
18 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
19 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(vi);
20 8. A mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
21 fentanyl, a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled substance, in
22 violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and
23 (b)(1)(C);
24 9. At least a kilogram of a mixture and substance containing a
25 detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled
26 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
27 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(i);
28
45
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1 10. At least 100 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
2 detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled
3 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
4 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(i);
5 11. A mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
6 heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance, in violation
7 of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C);
8 12. At least 280 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
9 detectable amount of cocaine base, a Schedule II narcotic drug
10 controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
11 Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(iii);
12 13. At least 28 grams of a mixture and substance containing a
13 detectable amount of cocaine base, a Schedule II narcotic drug
14 controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
15 Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(iii);
16 14. A mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
17 cocaine base, a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled substance, in
18 violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and
19 (b)(1)(C);
20 15. A mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
21 phencyclidine (“PCP”), a Schedule III controlled substance, in
22 violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and
23 (b)(1)(E)(i); and
24 16. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (“GHB”), a Schedule I controlled
25 substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections
26 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).
27
28
46
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1 B. MEANS BY WHICH THE OBJECTS OF THE CONSPIRACY WERE TO BE
2 ACCOMPLISHED
3 The objects of the conspiracy were to be accomplished, in
4 substance, as follows:
5 1. Defendants HAVILAND, VITANZA, PICHIE, SCHULTZ, CHOTARD,
6 ROMERO, HILL, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would
7 communicate directly with AB members or high-ranking AB associates,
8 including via contraband cellular telephones that AB members or high-
9 ranking AB associates maintained in custodial facilities, to obtain
10 their input and assistance with respect to drug trafficking
11 activities.
12 2. Defendant HAVILAND, and others known and unknown to the
13 Grand Jury, would communicate directly with Mexican Mafia
14 representatives, including “M.T.,” also known as “Trouble,” regarding
15 drug trafficking in and around the San Fernando Valley.
16 3. Defendants VITANZA and PICHIE, and others known and unknown
17 to the Grand Jury, including unindicted co-conspirator #1, and
18 unindicted co-conspirator #40, would negotiate the purchase of large
19 quantities of drugs from cartel members to distribute to drug
20 customers in and around the Central District of California.
21 4. Defendant CUNNINGHAM, and others known and unknown to the
22 Grand Jury, would manufacture and press kilogram bricks of fentanyl to
23 distribute to drug customers in and around the Central District of
24 California.
25 5. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, CUNNINGHAM, BREWER, WILLS,
26 ATKINSON, P. EKELUND, VENNUM, and others known and unknown to the
27 Grand Jury, would maintain and oversee drug stash locations, including
28 drug stash locations overseen by unindicted co-conspirator #1 while
47
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1 co-conspirator #1 was in CDCR custody, where large quantities of
2 fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs were stored prior
3 to distribution to drug customers in and around the Central District
4 of California.
5 6. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, REED, CRISWELL,
6 SILVERBERG, CUNNINGHAM, SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, SLACK, SLAYTON,
7 VITANZA, PICHIE, SCHULTZ, CHOTARD, VAN VLYMEN, ATKINSON, HILL, P.
8 EKELUND, VENNUM, CHATTERTON, SMITH, CRAIG, IBARRA, SWINK, FRANCIS,
9 RILEY, PAYER, MACDONALD, RODNEY, W. POLLAY, C. POLLAY, YACOUB,
10 BECKWITH, GAITHER, FREEMAN, MORENO, WATTS, VILLATORO, EKLUND,
11 MULVIHILL, JACOBS, WATSTEIN, BAKER, HARBAND, RAMACHANDRAN, FLACK,
12 BINGAMAN, THAEMERT, SHAPIRO, GLUCKMAN, SCHWARTZ, DIETZEN, PREVEDELLO,
13 HEINTZ, MUNOZ, UTSLER, BENEDICT, MEJIA, LEIMERT, RAVIN, POWERS, CHAN,
14 UNGAMRUNG and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would obtain
15 drugs to distribute from drug sources of supply.
16 7. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, REED, CRISWELL,
17 SILVERBERG, CUNNINGHAM, SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, SLACK, SLAYTON,
18 VITANZA, PICHIE, SCHULTZ, VAN VLYMEN, HILL, P. EKELUND, VENNUM,
19 CHATTERTON, SMITH, CRAIG, IBARRA, SWINK, FRANCIS, RILEY, PAYER,
20 MACDONALD, RODNEY, W. POLLAY, C. POLLAY, YACOUB, BECKWITH, GAITHER,
21 FREEMAN, MORENO, WATTS, VILLATORO, EKLUND, MULVIHILL, JACOBS,
22 WATSTEIN, BAKER, HARBAND, RAMACHANDRAN, FLACK, BINGAMAN, THAEMERT,
23 SHAPIRO, GLUCKMAN, SCHWARTZ, DIETZEN, PREVEDELLO, HEINTZ, MUNOZ,
24 UTSLER, BENEDICT, MEJIA, LEIMERT, RAVIN, RESNICK, POWERS, CHAN,
25 UNGAMRUNG, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would
26 distribute drugs to drug customers.
27 8. Defendants SILVERBERG, BREWER, and others known and unknown
28 to the Grand Jury, would transport drugs to locations outside of the
48
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1 Central District of California in order to distribute drugs to
2 customers in those districts.
3 9. Defendants FRANCIS, PAYER, and others known and unknown to
4 the Grand Jury, would distribute drugs to individuals in custodial
5 facilities.
6 10. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, CHATTERTON, and others
7 known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would distribute drugs to
8 customers outside of the state of California via the mail.
9 11. Defendant WILLS, and others known and unknown to the Grand
10 Jury, would maintain, store, and disperse the drug distribution
11 proceeds that were generated by co-conspirators.
12 12. Defendants CUNNINGHAM, VITANZA, SCHULTZ, and others known
13 and unknown to the Grand Jury, would maintain firearms and other
14 dangerous weapons to be used in connection with drug distribution
15 activities.
16 13. Defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, SLAYTON, VITANZA, SCHULTZ,
17 HILL, P. EKELUND, VENNUM, CHATTERTON, FRANCIS, MACDONALD, W. POLLAY,
18 BECKWITH, GAITHER, FREEMAN, MULVIHILL, WATSTEIN, BAKER, RAMACHANDRAN,
19 THAEMERT, SHAPIRO, CHAN, UNGAMRUNG, and others known and unknown to
20 the Grand Jury, would facilitate their drug distribution activity
21 through the use of Cash App and Zelle by receiving money from drug
22 customers and sending money to drug sources of supply via these mobile
23 payment services.
24 14. Defendants SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, BINGAMAN, GLUCKMAN,
25 SCHWARTZ, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would carry
26 out fraud schemes in order to generate money for themselves and to use
27 in connection with drug distribution activities.
28
49
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1 15. Defendant HAVILAND, B. EKELUND, BREWER, VITANZA, PICHIE,
2 SCHULTZ, WILLS, CHOTARD, CHATTERTON, SWINK, DIETZEN, MUNOZ, and others
3 known and unknown to the Grand Jury, would share information with co-
4 conspirators regarding law enforcement activity and individuals who
5 might be cooperating with law enforcement.
6 C. OVERT ACTS
7 In furtherance of the conspiracy and to accomplish its objects,
8 on or about the following dates, defendants HAVILAND, B. EKELUND,
9 REED, CRISWELL, SILVERBERG, CUNNINGHAM, SIMS, BREWER, WINTERS, SLACK,
10 SLAYTON, VITANZA, PICHIE, SCHULTZ, WILLS, CHOTARD, ROMERO, VAN
11 VLYMEN, ATKINSON, HILL, P. EKELUND, VENNUM, CHATTERTON, SMITH, CRAIG,
12 IBARRA, SWINK, FRANCIS, RILEY, PAYER, MACDONALD, RODNEY, W. POLLAY,
13 C. POLLAY, YACOUB, BECKWITH, GAITHER, FREEMAN, MORENO, WATTS,
14 VILLATORO, EKLUND, MULVIHILL, JACOBS, WATSTEIN, BAKER, HARBAND,
15 RAMACHANDRAN, FLACK, BINGAMAN, THAEMERT, SHAPIRO, GLUCKMAN, SCHWARTZ,
16 DIETZEN, PREVEDELLO, HEINTZ, MUNOZ, UTSLER, BENEDICT, MEJIA, LEIMERT,
17 RAVIN, RESNICK, POWERS, CHAN, UNGAMRUNG, and others known and unknown
18 to the Grand Jury, committed various overt acts in Los Angeles,
19 Ventura, and Riverside Counties, within the Central District of
20 California, and elsewhere, including, but not limited to, Overt Acts
21 numbered 10, 11, 16, 17, 19-24, 28-29, 31-33, 35-36, 38-41, 43, 46,
22 47, 49-55, 63, 65-74, 77-92, 94-95, 98-140, as set forth in Part F of
23 Count One, which are re-alleged and incorporated by reference as if
24 fully set forth herein, as well as the following:
25 Overt Act No. 104: On December 29, 2019, unindicted co-
26 conspirator #47 told an undercover law enforcement officer who she
27 believed was a drug customer (the “UC”) that she “knew the right
28
50
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1 people in the Valley,” and that she would be able to supply the UC
2 with large quantities of drugs.
3 Overt Act No. 105: On January 2, 2020, unindicted co-
4 conspirator #47 told the UC that she could supply him with pounds of
5 methamphetamine at a price of $1650 a pound, and ounces of heroin at
6 a price of $800 an ounce.
7 Overt Act No. 106: On January 9, 2020, unindicted co-
8 conspirator #47 sold the UC an ounce of methamphetamine for $130.
9 Overt Act No. 107: On March 27, 2020, defendant C. POLLAY,
10 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
11 SIMS for the price of an ounce of methamphetamine for a drug
12 customer.
13 Overt Act No. 108: On March 27, 2020, defendant C. POLLAY,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
15 SIMS for the price of an ounce of methamphetamine for a drug
16 customer.
17 Overt Act No. 109: On April 24, 2020, defendant SCHWARTZ, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant SLAYTON
19 that he needed 10 to 20 pounds of methamphetamine.
20 Overt Act No. 110: On April 25, 2020, defendant BENEDICT, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant MUNOZ
22 that she would be able to supply a pound of methamphetamine to
23 defendant MUNOZ for $2,300.
24 Overt Act No. 111: On April 25, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
25 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
26 BENEDICT that a drug customer had $1,700 available to purchase
27 methamphetamine.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 112: On May 8, 2020, defendant FLACK, using coded
2 language in a Facebook message exchange, asked unindicted co-
3 conspirator #23 to supply a pound of methamphetamine at a good price.
4 Overt Act No. 113: On May 12, 2020, defendant FLACK, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant SIMS
6 that he wanted to purchase ten pounds of methamphetamine at a good
7 price.
8 Overt Act No. 114: On May 12, 2020, unindicted co-conspirator
9 #23, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
10 defendant FLACK that he would be able to purchase a pound of
11 methamphetamine for $2,000.
12 Overt Act No. 115: On May 13, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
14 BENEDICT that she needed a drug source of supply who could
15 consistently sell her drugs to distribute.
16 Overt Act No. 116: On May 13, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
18 BENEDICT that she had traveled to Palmdale, California to obtain
19 drugs to distribute.
20 Overt Act No. 117: On May 13, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 BENEDICT that she was thinking about asking defendant HAVILAND to
23 teach her how to manufacture methamphetamine due to the current
24 shortage in methamphetamine to distribute.
25 Overt Act No. 118: On May 13, 2020, in Canoga Park, California,
26 unindicted co-conspirator #42 possessed approximately 453.19 grams of
27 methamphetamine and approximately 206.23 grams of heroin to
28 distribute to drug customers.
52
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1 Overt Act No. 119: On May 15, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked a drug source of
3 supply for a pound of methamphetamine.
4 Overt Act No. 120: On May 16, 2020, defendant FLACK, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked to purchase an
6 ounce of drugs from unindicted co-conspirator #23 for $600.
7 Overt Act No. 121: On May 21, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked unindicted co-
9 conspirator #22 if defendant HAVILAND presently had drugs available
10 to distribute.
11 Overt Act No. 122: On June 16, 2020, defendant WINTERS, using
12 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
13 BENEDICT that he had identified a drug source of supply who was able
14 to supply high-quality heroin at a good price.
15 Overt Act No. 123: On June 17, 2020, defendants ATKINSON, B.
16 EKELUND, and IBARRA attempted to enter the United States from Mexico
17 at the Calexico, California, West Port of Entry with approximately
18 113.39 grams of methamphetamine and $5,000 concealed in their
19 vehicle.
20 Overt Act No. 124: On June 17, 2020, defendant ATKINSON
21 possessed $10,000 in cash while attempting to enter the United States
22 via Mexico.
23 Overt Act No. 125: On June 17, 2020, defendant B. EKELUND
24 possessed $12,300 in cash while attempting to enter the United States
25 via Mexico.
26 Overt Act No. 126: On June 17, 2020, defendant IBARRA concealed
27 approximately 2.39 grams of Xanax and approximately 2.21 grams of
28
53
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1 heroin in her body cavity while attempting to enter the United States
2 via Mexico.
3 Overt Act No. 127: On June 20, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
5 conspirator #22 that she had methamphetamine available to distribute.
6 Overt Act No. 128: On June 22, 2020, defendant MUNOZ, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
8 conspirator #22 that she had methamphetamine available to distribute.
9 Overt Act No. 129: On July 4, 2020, defendant C. POLLAY, using
10 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
11 fentanyl from unindicted co-conspirator #47.
12 Overt Act No. 130: On July 7, 2020, defendant SMITH, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
14 conspirator #48 that he had heroin available to distribute.
15 Overt Act No. 131: On August 4, 2020, defendant VILLATORO
16 possessed approximately 211.82 grams of methamphetamine, depicted in
17 the below photographs, to distribute to drug customers, as well as a
18 firearm in a motel room in Van Nuys, California.
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
54
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 55 of 254 Page ID #:55
1 Overt Act No. 132: On August 11, 2020, defendant CRAIG, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent to defendant
3 GLUCKMAN the photograph depicted below of M30 pills that he had
4 available to distribute:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 Overt Act No. 133: On August 22, 2020, defendant C. POLLAY,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered $450 of
17 fentanyl as well as a quantity of methamphetamine from unindicted co-
18 conspirator #43.
19 Overt Act No. 134: On August 26, 2020, defendant SMITH, in a
20 Facebook message exchange, sent defendant WINTERS a photograph,
21 depicted below, of a firearm that he possessed.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
55
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 56 of 254 Page ID #:56
1 Overt Act No. 135: On August 26, 2020, defendant C. POLLAY,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
3 co-conspirator #43 that he was in Hollywood obtaining GHB, fentanyl,
4 and methamphetamine to distribute to drug customers.
5 Overt Act No. 136: On August 29, 2020, defendant SMITH, using
6 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WINTERS
7 that he had a large quantity of heroin available to distribute.
8 Overt Act No. 137: On August 29, 2020, defendant WINTERS, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant SMITH
10 that he also had heroin available to distribute.
11 Overt Act No. 138: On September 2, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO
12 possessed approximately 218.97 grams of methamphetamine to distribute
13 to drug customers in a vehicle that he was driving in Canoga Park,
14 California.
15 Overt Act No. 139: On September 2, 2020, defendant CRAIG
16 possessed approximately an ounce of methamphetamine to distribute to
17 drug customers in a vehicle that he was driving in Newhall,
18 California.
19 Overt Act No. 140: On September 11, 2020, defendant RAVIN,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to
21 supply methamphetamine to unindicted co-conspirator #44.
22 Overt Act No. 141: On October 2, 2020, defendant VAN VLYMEN
23 possessed approximately 11.06 grams of methamphetamine to distribute
24 to drug customers, a digital scale, and drug packaging material in a
25 vehicle that she was driving in Woodland Hills, California.
26
27
28
56
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1 Overt Act No. 142: On October 5, 2020, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #50, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
3 offered to sell an AR-15 “ghost gun” with an ammunition clip,
4 depicted in the photographs below, to defendant CUNNINGHAM for
5 $1,400.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 Overt Act No. 143: On October 6, 2020, defendant DIETZEN, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
14 conspirator #44 that he was obtaining additional drugs to distribute
15 to customers from a drug source of supply.
16 Overt Act No. 144: On October 7, 2020, unindicted co-
17 conspirator #43, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
18 told defendant C. POLLAY that defendant C. POLLAY owed unindicted co-
19 conspirator #43 $1,840 in connection with defendant C. POLLAY’s drug
20 distribution activities.
21 Overt Act No. 145: On October 15, 2020, defendant IBARRA, using
22 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, identified for
23 unindicted co-conspirator #43 a drug source of supply who would sell
24 three units of heroin at a price of $425 a unit to unindicted co-
25 conspirator #43.
26 Overt Act No. 146: On October 25, 2020, unindicted co-
27 conspirator #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
28
57
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1 told defendant WATSTEIN that the price of half an ounce of heroin was
2 $325.
3 Overt Act No. 147: On October 31, 2020, defendant SMITH, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WINTERS
5 that he had high quality cocaine available to distribute.
6 Overt Act No. 148: On November 2, 2020, defendant IBARRA, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
8 that she needed to obtain heroin to distribute from a drug source of
9 supply.
10 Overt Act No. 149: On November 11, 2020, defendant JACOBS,
11 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
12 WATSTEIN that she needed $450 to obtain more drugs from a drug source
13 of supply.
14 Overt Act No. 150: On November 11, 2020, defendant YACOUB
15 possessed methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine base to distribute to
16 customers, a digital scale, and $520 in drug distribution proceeds in
17 Littlerock, California.
18 Overt Act No. 151: On November 28, 2020, defendant DIETZEN,
19 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
20 co-conspirator #44 to meet him at a drug stash house located on 9400
21 Valjean Avenue in North Hills, California.
22 Overt Act No. 152: On December 5, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
23 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $600 via Cash App.
24 Overt Act No. 153: On December 6, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
25 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $600 via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 154: On December 9, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
27 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $400 via Cash App.
28
58
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1 Overt Act No. 155: On December 10, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
2 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $200 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 156: On December 14, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
4 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $600 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 157: On December 16, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
6 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $100 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 158: On December 17, 2020, defendant HILL and
8 unindicted co-conspirator #21, using coded language in a Facebook
9 message exchange, ordered fentanyl from defendant JACOBS.
10 Overt Act No. 159: On December 18, 2020, defendant SHAPIRO sent
11 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $100 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 160: On December 24, 2020, unindicted co-
13 conspirator #21, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
14 ordered fentanyl from defendant JACOBS.
15 Overt Act No. 161: On December 29, 2020, defendant WATSTEIN,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
17 UTSLER that he needed a pound of methamphetamine to distribute to
18 customers.
19 Overt Act No. 162: On December 29, 2020, defendant UTSLER,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
21 customer that she had methamphetamine available to distribute to
22 customers.
23 Overt Act No. 163: On December 31, 2020, defendant CRAIG, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
25 conspirator #47 that he was purchasing pounds of drugs from a drug
26 source of supply for $1,900.
27 Overt Act No. 164: On December 31, 2020, unindicted co-
28 conspirator #47, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
59
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 60 of 254 Page ID #:60
1 told defendant CRAIG that she was able to sell pounds of high-quality
2 drugs at a price of $1,850 a pound.
3 Overt Act No. 165: On December 31, 2020, defendant CRAIG, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
5 conspirator #47 that he wanted to obtain an ounce sample of drugs
6 from her in order to see if he wanted to purchase pounds of drugs
7 from her in the future.
8 Overt Act No. 166: On January 1, 2021, defendant JACOBS, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
10 conspirator #21 that she had fentanyl available to distribute to
11 customers.
12 Overt Act No. 167: On January 2, 2021, unindicted co-
13 conspirator #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
14 told defendant IBARRA that he needed to obtain two ounces of
15 methamphetamine from a drug source of supply.
16 Overt Act No. 168: On January 2, 2021, defendant IBARRA, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
18 conspirator #41 that she was able to obtain drugs to distribute from
19 both defendant B. EKELUND as well as unindicted co-conspirator #42.
20 Overt Act No. 169: On January 3, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN,
21 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 UTSLER that he needed an ounce of high-quality methamphetamine.
23 Overt Act No. 170: On January 7, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered heroin
25 and an ounce of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
26 Overt Act No. 171: On January 15, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
27 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
28
60
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1 RAVIN that he would let her know when he obtained heroin from a drug
2 source of supply.
3 Overt Act No. 172: On January 15, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, identified a
5 drug customer that wanted to obtain a half an ounce of
6 methamphetamine from a drug source of supply.
7 Overt Act No. 173: On January 22, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
8 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $1,100 via Cash App.
9 Overt Act No. 174: On January 26, 2021, unindicted co-
10 conspirator #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
11 told defendant BENEDICT that she owed unindicted co-conspirator #42
12 $890 in connection with a drug transaction.
13 Overt Act No. 175: On January 27, 2021, defendant C. POLLAY,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce
15 of fentanyl from defendant WATSTEIN and stated that he was willing to
16 pay $1,300 for the drugs.
17 Overt Act No. 176: On January 27, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
18 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $220 via Cash App.
19 Overt Act No. 177: On January 30, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to
21 supply methamphetamine to defendant SMITH in exchange for a copy of
22 the Woodland Hills counterfeit postal mail key.
23 Overt Act No. 178: On January 30, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, identified for
25 defendant SCHWARTZ the counterfeit postal mail keys that defendant
26 SMITH possessed.
27
28
61
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1 Overt Act No. 179: On February 2, 2021, defendant BENEDICT,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered $175 of
3 fentanyl from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
4 Overt Act No. 180: On February 5, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 C. POLLAY that he had fentanyl available to distribute.
7 Overt Act No. 181: On February 5, 2021, defendant C. POLLAY,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce
9 of heroin from defendant WATSTEIN to distribute to drug customers.
10 Overt Act No. 182: On February 6, 2021, defendant RAVIN, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, identified a drug
12 customer that needed to obtain heroin from unindicted co-conspirator
13 #44.
14 Overt Act No. 183: On February 7, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce
16 of methamphetamine from defendant UTSLER.
17 Overt Act No. 184: On February 15, 2021, defendant C. POLLAY,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered half an
19 ounce of fentanyl from defendant WATSTEIN.
20 Overt Act No. 185: On February 15, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
21 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $220 via Cash App.
22 Overt Act No. 186: On February 18, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN,
23 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
24 SLACK to supply him with an ounce of drugs in exchange for money that
25 defendant GLUCKMAN was generating for defendant SLACK in connection
26 with fraud.
27
28
62
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 63 of 254 Page ID #:63
1 Overt Act No. 187: On February 23, 2021, defendant BENEDICT,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered
3 methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
4 Overt Act No. 188: On February 24, 2021, defendant JACOBS,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
6 co-conspirator #21 that she was obtaining an ounce of fentanyl to
7 distribute to customers from a drug source of supply.
8 Overt Act No. 189: On February 24, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN,
9 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered two
10 ounces of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #43.
11 Overt Act No. 190: On February 24, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
13 SMITH that he had sold a rifle that belonged to defendant SMITH to a
14 customer for $700 and that defendant SCHWARTZ would take $100 in
15 connection with the firearm sale.
16 Overt Act No. 191: On February 27, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
17 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $400 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 192: On March 5, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
19 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $610 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 193: On March 6, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
21 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $250 via Cash App.
22 Overt Act No. 194: On March 7, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
23 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
24 SCHWARTZ that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute.
25 Overt Act No. 195: On March 12, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
26 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $750 via Cash App.
27
28
63
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 64 of 254 Page ID #:64
1 Overt Act No. 196: On March 14, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant SWINK
3 that he presently had methamphetamine to distribute.
4 Overt Act No. 197: On March 14, 2021, defendant SWINK, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to sell
6 defendant GLUCKMAN counterfeit $100 bills.
7 Overt Act No. 198: On March 17, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, in a
8 Facebook message exchange, sent unindicted co-conspirator #43 the
9 photograph depicted below of a firearm to which he had access.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 Overt Act No. 199: On March 19, 2021, defendant SWINK posted a
19 copy of a law enforcement report involving her, K.R., and H.C. to the
20 SFV Facebook Page, and stated the following:
21 Just in case anyone comes across [K.R.] or [H.C.] just know that this
shit happened. Gave all kinds of statements to the cops and blamed
22 all his shit on me. Just got out after doing 16 months. Not to
mention he’s going around telling people his name is bam bam SFV.
23 Yep real quality person. Just thought I’d let you all know.
24
Overt Act No. 200: In response to defendant SWINK’s Facebook
25
post regarding K.R., defendant FRANCIS posted to the SFV Facebook
26
Page:
27
[K.R.] is a piece of shit. I can’t wait for the real Bam gets out of
28 prison and sells him to the nigs for using his name.
64
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1
Overt Act No. 201: On March 19, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
2
coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered
3
methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #43.
4
Overt Act No. 202: On March 20, 2021, defendant WINTERS, using
5
coded language in a Facebook message exchange, stated that he would
6
arm himself and meet with defendant LEIMERT at a location in Los
7
Angeles, California.
8
Overt Act No. 203: On March 21, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
9
coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant C.
10
POLLAY that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute.
11
Overt Act No. 204: On March 22, 2021, in Los Angeles,
12
California, unindicted co-conspirator #43 possessed approximately
13
397.3 grams of methamphetamine that was 100% pure, 247 grams of
14
heroin, and 12 grams of a mixture or substance containing a
15
detectable amount fentanyl to distribute to drug customers.
16
Overt Act No. 205: On March 22, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
17
unindicted co-conspirator #42 $400 via Cash App.
18
Overt Act No. 206: On March 24, 2021, defendant BREWER sent
19
defendant RAMACHANDRAN $2,000 via Cash App.
20
Overt Act No. 207: On May 26, 2021, defendant BENEDICT, using
21
coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
22
heroin to defendant SCHWARTZ.
23
Overt Act No. 208: On March 27, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
24
unindicted co-conspirator #42 $260 via Cash App.
25
Overt Act No. 209: On March 28, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
26
unindicted co-conspirator #42 $800 via Cash App.
27
28
65
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1 Overt Act No. 210: On March 29, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #2 and unindicted co-conspirator #16, using coded language in a
3 Facebook message exchange, directed defendant GLUCKMAN to obtain five
4 pistols and two rifles.
5 Overt Act No. 211: On March 30, 2021, defendant CRAIG agreed to
6 sell a drug customer half an ounce of drugs for $300.
7 Overt Act No. 212: On April 2, 2021, defendant CRAIG, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to sell heroin
9 to defendant RAVIN.
10 Overt Act No. 213: On April 3, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered six ounces of
12 methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #43.
13 Overt Act No. 214: On April 5, 2021, defendant SWINK, using
14 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked to purchase two
15 ounces of drugs from defendant GLUCKMAN.
16 Overt Act No. 215: On April 8, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
18 conspirator #43 that a drug customer wanted to purchase nine ounces
19 of methamphetamine.
20 Overt Act No. 216: On April 11, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
21 #43 sent defendant WATSTEIN $100 via Cash App.
22 Overt Act No. 217: On April 13, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
23 #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, discussed
24 with defendant BENEDICT drugs that she had stored on his behalf at
25 her residence, and complained that he was missing a quarter of a
26 pound of methamphetamine and 100 Xanax pills.
27 Overt Act No. 218: On April 14, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
66
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1 conspirator #43 that he saw law enforcement in the area and, as a
2 result, “lost fucking a backpack full of cash and dope and few guns”
3 that defendant SMITH was holding for his drug source of supply.
4 Overt Act No. 219: On April 17, 2021, defendant SMITH sent
5 unindicted co-conspirator #43 $200 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 220: On April 18, 2021, defendant SMITH sent
7 unindicted co-conspirator #43 $150 via Cash App.
8 Overt Act No. 221: On April 19, 2021, defendant SMITH sent
9 unindicted co-conspirator #43 $200 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 222: On April 19, 2021, defendant WINTERS sent
11 defendant SWINK $1,000 via Cash App and indicated that the money was
12 on behalf of unindicted co-conspirator #2.
13 Overt Act No. 223: On April 19, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
14 #43 sent defendant WATSTEIN $200 via Cash App.
15 Overt Act No. 224: On April 26, 2021, defendant LEIMERT, using
16 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
17 heroin and an ounce of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator
18 #42.
19 Overt Act No. 225: On April 28, 2021, defendant BENEDICT, using
20 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
21 methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
22 Overt Act No. 226: On April 29, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
23 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
24 conspirator #42 that he would send unindicted co-conspirator #42
25 $3,300 in connection with a drug transaction.
26 Overt Act No. 227: On May 3, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
27 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $500 via Cash App.
28
67
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 68 of 254 Page ID #:68
1 Overt Act No. 228: On May 6, 2021, defendant WATSTEIN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered five ounces of
3 methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #43.
4 Overt Act No. 229: On May 9, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
5 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
6 defendant IBARRA that he needed to obtain nine ounces of heroin to
7 distribute to customers.
8 Overt Act No. 230: On May 9, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
9 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
10 defendant IBARRA that he had attempted to contact defendant BENEDICT
11 to obtain the heroin to distribute and said that he planned to
12 contact unindicted co-conspirator #42.
13 Overt Act No. 231: On May 9, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
14 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
15 defendant IBARRA that unindicted co-conspirator #41 had high-quality
16 methamphetamine to distribute, and sent defendant IBARRA the below
17 picture of the drugs:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
68
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 69 of 254 Page ID #:69
1 Overt Act No. 232: On May 10, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 GLUCKMAN that defendant SMITH had high-quality heroin and
4 methamphetamine available to distribute.
5 Overt Act No. 233: On May 11, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
6 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $300 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 234: On May 12, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
8 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $500 via Cash App.
9 Overt Act No. 235: On May 17, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
10 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
11 defendant IBARRA that he was able to supply her and others with high-
12 quality methamphetamine to distribute to customers at a price of
13 $1,350 a pound.
14 Overt Act No. 236: On May 20, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
15 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $500 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 237: On May 26, 2021, defendant BENEDICT told
17 defendant SCHWARTZ that she had heroin available to sell.
18 Overt Act No. 238: On May 27, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
19 #23, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, warned
20 defendant FLACK that federal law enforcement agents had searched her
21 residence and business.
22 Overt Act No. 239: On May 27, 2021, defendant IBARRA, using
23 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
24 conspirator #41 that defendant B. EKELUND was able to supply two
25 ounces of heroin to a drug customer.
26 Overt Act No. 240: On May 28, 2021, defendant YACOUB, using
27 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant JACOBS
28 that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute.
69
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1 Overt Act No. 241: On June 2, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
3 heroin from defendant WATSTEIN and explained to defendant WATSTEIN
4 that he could not get the drugs from unindicted co-conspirator #42
5 because unindicted co-conspirator #42 was incarcerated.
6 Overt Act No. 242: On June 10, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply an
8 ounce of methamphetamine to defendant WINTERS.
9 Overt Act No. 243: On June 11, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
10 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $300 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 244: On June 11, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
12 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $550 via Cash App.
13 Overt Act No. 245: On June 16, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
14 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
15 conspirator #41 that he had sent unindicted co-conspirator #41 $100
16 for an ounce of drugs via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 246: On June 19, 2021, defendant SWINK, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
19 GLUCKMAN that she would distribute an ounce of heroin to customers
20 and share the drug distribution proceeds with defendant GLUCKMAN.
21 Overt Act No. 247: On June 22, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
22 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $120 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 248: On June 23, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
24 #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
25 defendant BENEDICT that he had just obtained additional drugs to
26 distribute from a source of supply.
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 249: On June 23, 2021, defendant BENEDICT, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered heroin to
3 distribute from a drug source of supply.
4 Overt Act No. 250: On June 24, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
5 #42, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked
6 defendant BENEDICT to send money to him via Zelle that she owed in
7 connection with her drug distribution activities and told her that
8 the amount that she presently owed him was $1,250.
9 Overt Act No. 251: On July 1, 2021, defendant BENEDICT, using
10 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered
11 methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #42.
12 Overt Act No. 252: On July 3, 2021, defendant BENEDICT, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, directed unindicted
14 co-conspirator #42 to supply a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine
15 to a drug customer.
16 Overt Act No. 253: On July 4, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
17 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
18 defendant IBARRA that he had sent her $1,050 via Cash App in
19 connection with a prior drug transaction with defendant B. EKELUND.
20 Overt Act No. 254: On July 4, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
21 #41 sent defendant IBARRA the following Facebook message: “Someone is
22 oding[.] You have that shit to bring them back[?]”
23 Overt Act No. 255: On July 4, 2021, in response to unindicted
24 co-conspirator #41’s question, defendant IBARRA sent unindicted co-
25 conspirator #41 the following Facebook message: “Yes[.] At my pad[.]”
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 256: On July 16, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #41, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
3 defendant IBARRA that he had generated $20,000 in drug distribution
4 proceeds and had money to obtain methamphetamine from defendant B.
5 EKELUND, and sent defendant IBARRA the below photograph:
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Overt Act No. 257: On July 17, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WINTERS
18 that he had high-quality heroin and methamphetamine available to
19 distribute.
20 Overt Act No. 258: On July 17, 2021, defendant LEIMERT sent
21 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $1,000 via Cash App.
22 Overt Act No. 259: On July 21, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
23 #50, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, complained
24 about the quality of an ounce of methamphetamine that defendant
25 CUNNINGHAM had supplied and asked for him to supply a replacement
26 quantity of methamphetamine.
27 Overt Act No. 260: On July 23, 2021, defendant LEIMERT, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
72
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1 heroin and an ounce of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator
2 #42.
3 Overt Act No. 261: On July 23, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
5 methamphetamine and heroin to a drug customer.
6 Overt Act No. 262: On July 23, 2021, defendant LEIMERT, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an ounce of
8 heroin and an ounce of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator
9 #42.
10 Overt Act No. 263: On July 24, 2021, defendant C. POLLAY, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent defendant
12 GLUCKMAN photographs of a credit card stolen from victim T.H. so that
13 defendant GLUCKMAN could activate the stolen credit card and share
14 money obtained from the card with defendant C. POLLAY.
15 Overt Act No. 264: On July 26, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
16 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
17 SCHWARTZ that he had methamphetamine available to distribute to
18 customers.
19 Overt Act No. 265: On July 27, 2021, defendant UTSLER, using
20 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
21 conspirator #52 that she had a pound of high-quality methamphetamine
22 available to distribute to customers.
23 Overt Act No. 266: On July 29, 2021, defendant SHAPRIO, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to bring a
25 scale to a meeting with unindicted co-conspirator #42 so that
26 unindicted co-conspirator #42 could weigh out the drugs that he was
27 going to supply to defendant SHAPIRO.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 267: On July 29, 2021, defendant RAVIN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 CUNNINGHAM that she had a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine
4 available to distribute but could not sell the methamphetamine for
5 less than $450.
6 Overt Act No. 268: On July 30, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
8 methamphetamine to a drug customer.
9 Overt Act No. 269: On July 30, 2021, defendant UTSLER, using
10 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
11 conspirator #52 that defendant UTSLER had identified a drug customer
12 who was willing to purchase half an ounce of methamphetamine for
13 $140,
14 Overt Act No. 270: On August 4, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
15 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $300 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 271: On August 7, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
17 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $250 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 272: On August 18, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
19 unindicted co-conspirator #42 $500 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 273: On August 31, 2021, defendant PAYER, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
22 VILLATORO if he had fentanyl available to distribute and told
23 defendant VILLATORO that he was selling a quarter to a half an ounce
24 of fentanyl to drug customers each day.
25 Overt Act No. 274: On September 3, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
26 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked unindicted
27 co-conspirator #40 if he had fentanyl available to distribute.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 275: On September 7, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked to
3 purchase a pound of drugs from unindicted co-conspirator #50 for
4 $1,100.
5 Overt Act No. 276: On September 7, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
7 co-conspirator #40 that he had 2,000 M30 oxycodone pills valued at
8 $12,000 available to distribute to customers.
9 Overt Act No. 277: On September 7, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
10 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
11 PAYER that he had 2,000 M30 oxycodone pills valued at $12,000
12 available to distribute to customers.
13 Overt Act No. 278: On September 7, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
15 co-conspirator #50 that he had 2,000 M30 oxycodone pills valued at
16 $12,000 available to distribute to customers.
17 Overt Act No. 279: On September 7, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to sell
19 unindicted co-conspirator #45 a pound of methamphetamine for $1,300.
20 Overt Act No. 280: On September 10, 2021, unindicted co-
21 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $1,100 via Cash App.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 281: On September 11, 2021, defendant JACOBS,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 GLUCKMAN that she had high-quality methamphetamine available to
4 distribute and sent defendant GLUCKMAN a photograph of the drugs she
5 possessed, depicted below.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 Overt Act No. 282: On September 13, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
17 co-conspirator #50 that he had high-quality methamphetamine available
18 to distribute.
19 Overt Act No. 283: On September 14, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
21 PAYER that he had methamphetamine available to distribute.
22 Overt Act No. 284: On September 15, 2021, defendant UTSLER,
23 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
24 customer that she had methamphetamine and Xanax available to
25 distribute.
26 Overt Act No. 285: On September 15, 2021, unindicted co-
27 conspirator #40, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
28
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1 warned defendant VILLATORO that an individual cooperating with law
2 enforcement was involved in their drug distribution activities.
3 Overt Act No. 286: On September 15, 2021, unindicted co-
4 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $400 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 287: On September 19, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
7 co-conspirator #50 that he had two pounds of methamphetamine
8 available to distribute.
9 Overt Act No. 288: On September 19, 2021, unindicted co-
10 conspirator #50, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
11 told defendant VILLATORO that she had GHB available to distribute,
12 depicted in the below photograph.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 Overt Act No. 289: On September 20, 2021, defendant YACOUB
23 possessed a firearm as well as drugs to distribute to customers.
24 Overt Act No. 290: On September 20, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
25 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, offered to sell
26 unindicted co-conspirator #40 two pounds of drugs for $1,800.
27 Overt Act No. 291: On September 26, 2021, unindicted co-
28 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $1,450 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 292: On September 29, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
3 heroin to a drug customer.
4 Overt Act No. 293: On October 1, 2021, defendant UTSLER, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, directed to sell a
6 quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine to a drug customer for no less
7 than $60 and no more than $80.
8 Overt Act No. 294: On October 3, 2021, unindicted co-
9 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $400 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 295: On October 5, 2021, unindicted co-
11 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $600 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 296: On October 5, 2021, defendant RAVIN, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked if defendant
14 SCHWARTZ wanted to trade any heroin that he possessed with a quantity
15 of methamphetamine that she possessed.
16 Overt Act No. 297: On October 7, 2021, unindicted co-
17 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $200 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 298: On October 9, 2021, defendant UTSLER, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug customer
20 that she was with defendant CRISWELL and that she had nearly an ounce
21 of methamphetamine available to distribute.
22 Overt Act No. 299: On October 10, 2021, defendant LEIMERT,
23 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
24 BINGAMAN that he was able to supply heroin.
25 Overt Act No. 300: On October 12, 2021, defendant MULVIHILL
26 sent unindicted co-conspirator #47 $700 via Cash App.
27 Overt Act No. 301: On October 13, 2021, unindicted co-
28 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $970 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 302: On October 15, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
3 co-conspirator #40 that he had fifteen pounds of high-quality drugs
4 to distribute.
5 Overt Act No. 303: On October 16, 2021, defendant VILLATORO,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
7 PAYER that he had PCP available to distribute to customers.
8 Overt Act No. 304: On October 22, 2021, defendant SHAPIRO sent
9 defendant B. EKELUND $950 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 305: On October 30, 2021, defendant LEIMERT,
11 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
12 co-conspirator #42 that he had money and needed to obtain additional
13 drugs to distribute to customers.
14 Overt Act No. 306: On November 6, 2021, defendant SCHULTZ sent
15 defendant RAMACHANDRAN $1,000 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 307: On November 10, 2021, defendant UTSLER,
17 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked a drug
18 source of supply for the price of half a pound of methamphetamine.
19 Overt Act No. 308: On November 11, 2021, defendant BINGAMAN,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
21 customer that he had high-quality heroin available to distribute.
22 Overt Act No. 309: On November 12, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
23 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered half a
24 pound of methamphetamine from unindicted co-conspirator #23.
25 Overt Act No. 310: On November 13, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
26 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, complained that
27 the half of pound of methamphetamine that she and unindicted co-
28 conspirator #46 had supplied the previous day was “way short.”
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1 Overt Act No. 311: On November 13, 2021, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #23, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
3 explained to defendant SCHWARTZ that the scale that unindicted co-
4 conspirator #46 had used to weigh out the half pound of
5 methamphetamine needed to be recalibrated and that unindicted co-
6 conspirator #46 had made an error when he had weighed out the drugs.
7 Overt Act No. 312: On November 14, 2021, defendant MULVIHILL
8 sent unindicted co-conspirator #47 $1,600 via Cash App.
9 Overt Act No. 313: On November 21, 2021, defendant WATTS, using
10 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant PAYER
11 to direct any heroin customers to defendant WATTS, and defendant
12 WATTS offered to direct any fentanyl customers to defendant PAYER.
13 Overt Act No. 314: On November 22, 2021, defendant PAYER, using
14 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WATTS
15 that he had heroin customers in Northeast Los Angeles that he would
16 send to defendant WATTS.
17 Overt Act No. 315: On November 22, 2021, defendant WATTS, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant PAYER
19 that he sold heroin at a price of $325 a half an ounce and $650 for
20 an ounce.
21 Overt Act No. 316: On November 22, 2021, defendant SCHULTZ sent
22 defendant RAMACHANDRAN $1,000 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 317: On November 25, 2021, defendant PAYER, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WATTS
25 that he planned to meet with his drug source of supply.
26 Overt Act No. 318: On November 26, 2021, defendant B. EKELUND
27 sent defendant RAMACHANDRAN $500 via Cash App.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 319: On December 5, 2021, defendant SLAYTON and
2 unindicted co-conspirator #48, using coded language in a Facebook
3 message exchange, agreed that defendant GLUCKMAN was an “idiot” for
4 “play[ing] games with [B]rand members.”
5 Overt Act No. 320: On December 7, 2021, defendant BINGAMAN,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered fentanyl
7 from defendant SMITH.
8 Overt Act No. 321: On December 23, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent defendant
10 GLUCKMAN photographs of high-end stolen merchandise that he had
11 available to sell and told defendant GLUCKMAN that he had obtained
12 the items from a “smash-and-grab” at a shopping center in Canoga
13 Park, California.
14 Overt Act No. 322: On December 23, 2021, defendant SMITH, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
16 GLUCKMAN to provide him with a stolen credit card number so that he
17 could obtain a rental car.
18 Overt Act No. 323: On December 25, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
19 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
20 co-conspirator #23 that he had a 9mm firearm, depicted below,
21 available to sell to her or unindicted co-conspirator #46.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 324: On December 26, 2021, defendant BECKWITH,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 PAYER that she was in Hemet, California selling fentanyl to drug
4 customers.
5 Overt Act No. 325: On December 26, 2021, defendant B. EKELUND
6 sent defendant RAMACHANDRAN $500 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 326: On December 27, 2021, defendant BINGAMAN,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 BECKWITH that he was able to obtain ounces of fentanyl for $700 to
10 $800 an ounce.
11 Overt Act No. 327: On December 27, 2021, defendant BECKWITH,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
13 BINGAMAN that drug customers in Hemet, California were paying $120 a
14 gram for fentanyl and that she and defendant BINGAMAN could sell one
15 to two ounces of fentanyl a day if they worked together.
16 Overt Act No. 328: On December 31, 2021, defendant MULVIHILL
17 sent unindicted co-conspirator #47 $900 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 329: On December 31, 2021, defendant SCHWARTZ,
19 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted
20 co-conspirator #23 that he had given unindicted co-conspirator #23’s
21 name to a drug customer as the drug customer needed a new source of
22 supply.
23 Overt Act No. 330: On January 1, 2022, defendant MULVIHILL sent
24 unindicted co-conspirator #47 $100 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 331: On January 1, 2022, unindicted co-
26 conspirator #47 sent defendant MULVIHILL $250 via Cash App.
27 Overt Act No. 332: On January 2, 2022, defendant MULVIHILL sent
28 unindicted co-conspirator #47 $150 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 333: On January 3, 2022, defendant MULVIHILL sent
2 unindicted co-conspirator #47 $500 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 334: On January 4, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
5 conspirator #48 that he had methamphetamine and fentanyl available to
6 distribute to customers.
7 Overt Act No. 335: On January 6, 2022, defendant BINGAMAN,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 BREWER that he had access to oxycodone to distribute to drug
10 customers.
11 Overt Act No. 336: On January 6, 2022, unindicted co-
12 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $1,200 via Cash App.
13 Overt Act No. 337: On January 7, 2022, defendant CRAIG, using
14 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
15 heroin to defendant SILVERBERG.
16 Overt Act No. 338: On January 7, 2022, defendant WATSTEIN,
17 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
18 CRAIG that he had heroin available to distribute.
19 Overt Act No. 339: On January 9, 2022, defendant UTSLER, using
20 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
21 conspirator #49 that he could use her Bank of America bank account to
22 cash counterfeit checks that he printed.
23 Overt Act No. 340: On January 10, 2022, defendant LEIMERT
24 possessed approximately 109.24 grams of methamphetamine and 18.46
25 grams of heroin to distribute to drug customers in a vehicle that he
26 was driving in Palmdale, California.
27 Overt Act No. 341: On January 11, 2022, defendant SMITH, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
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1 GLUCKMAN to help him generate money using stolen business bank
2 account numbers.
3 Overt Act No. 342: On January 18, 2022, unindicted co-
4 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $500 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 343: On January 24, 2022, defendant BECKWITH,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent a drug
7 customer a picture of purple fentanyl that she had available to
8 distribute, depicted below:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 Overt Act No. 344: On January 31, 2022, defendant UTSLER
21 possessed a knife, a loaded firearm, and methamphetamine while
22 driving a vehicle in Northridge, California.
23 Overt Act No. 345: On February 1, 2022, defendant SILVERBERG,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
25 CRAIG that he had methamphetamine available to distribute.
26 Overt Act No. 346: On February 3, 2022, defendant EKLUND
27 possessed approximately 137.8 grams of methamphetamine and 25.1 grams
28 of heroin, as well as $1,169 in cash and a fraudulent California
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1 identification card in a vehicle that he was driving in Beverly
2 Hills, California.
3 Overt Act No. 347: On February 6, 2022, defendant GLUCKMAN,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
5 JACOBS the current price of an ounce of fentanyl.
6 Overt Act No. 348: On February 8, 2022, unindicted co-
7 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $800 via Cash App.
8 Overt Act No. 349: On February 26, 2022, unindicted co-
9 conspirator #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $300 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 350: On February 28, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
12 conspirator #48 that he had access to fentanyl and methamphetamine to
13 distribute to drug customers.
14 Overt Act No. 351: On March 4, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered
16 methamphetamine to distribute to customers from defendant VILLATORO.
17 Overt Act No. 352: On March 7, 2022, defendant WINTERS, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
19 LEIMERT to supply him with heroin after defendant LEIMERT obtained a
20 quantity of heroin from a source of supply.
21 Overt Act No. 353: On March 9, 2022, defendant WATTS, using
22 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant PAYER
23 that he had high-quality methamphetamine available to distribute to
24 customers.
25 Overt Act No. 354: On March 14, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
26 #41 sent defendant SCHULTZ $1,500 via Cash App.
27 Overt Act No. 355: On March 21, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WATTS
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1 that defendant SILVERBERG had high quality methamphetamine available
2 to distribute to drug customers.
3 Overt Act No. 356: On March 21, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant WATTS
5 that defendant CUNNINGHAM regularly possessed kilograms of fentanyl
6 to distribute to customers.
7 Overt Act No. 357: On March 22, 2022, defendant VILLATORO,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 RAVIN that he had taken seven ounces of methamphetamine and seven
10 grams of heroin from a drug dealer to satisfy a drug debt and offered
11 to give defendant RAVIN the seven grams of heroin.
12 Overt Act No. 358: On March 22, 2022, defendant VILLATORO,
13 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
14 PAYER that he had heroin and methamphetamine available to distribute.
15 Overt Act No. 359: On March 22, 2022, defendant WATTS, using
16 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant PAYER
17 to “front” him a quantity of fentanyl to distribute to drug
18 customers.
19 Overt Act No. 360: On March 23, 2022, defendant YACOUB
20 possessed approximately 20.72 grams of fentanyl, 12.1 grams of
21 heroin, and 45.4 grams of methamphetamine to distribute to customers,
22 as well as two digital scales, 54 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and
23 $1,019 in cash, in his residence and vehicle in Littlerock,
24 California.
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 361: On March 30, 2022, defendant GLUCKMAN
2 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 243 grams of
3 methamphetamine in a vehicle in Henderson, Nevada, depicted in the
4 photograph below.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Overt Act No. 362: On March 31, 2022, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
16 conspirator #41 that law enforcement officers in Henderson, Nevada
17 had obtained a search warrant for defendant GLUCKMAN’s hotel room and
18 vehicle, and that he needed to obtain a hotel room immediately to
19 avoid law enforcement.
20 Overt Act No. 363: On April 1, 2022, defendant WATSTEIN, using
21 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant RAVIN
22 that he was able to supply her with an ounce of methamphetamine.
23 Overt Act No. 364: On April 1, 2022, defendant WATSTEIN, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, warned defendant RAVIN
25 that unindicted co-conspirator #45 was facing a lengthy prison
26 sentence for engaging in drug distribution activities via Facebook
27 Messenger.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 365: On April 15, 2022, defendant WATSTEIN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
3 defendant RAVIN with heroin.
4 Overt Act No. 366: On April 19, 2022, defendant SHAPIRO
5 possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Hidden Hills,
6 California.
7 Overt Act No. 367: On April 19, 2022, defendant SMITH, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 GLUCKMAN that he would be able to obtain four ounces of fentanyl for
10 $1,600 from a source of supply.
11 Overt Act No. 368: On May 11, 2022, defendant EKLUND possessed
12 approximately 190.7 grams of fentanyl and 111.7 grams of
13 methamphetamine to distribute to drug customers in his residence in
14 Panorama City, California.
15 Overt Act No. 369: On May 14, 2022, defendant RODNEY, using
16 coded language in a text message exchange, arranged to obtain a pound
17 of fentanyl from a drug source of supply.
18 Overt Act No. 370: On May 18, 2022, defendant RODNEY, using
19 coded language in a text message exchange, agreed to supply four
20 ounces of drugs to a drug customer.
21 Overt Act No. 371: On May 24, 2022, defendant RODNEY possessed
22 approximately 1,165.23 grams fentanyl and 83.02 grams of
23 methamphetamine to distribute to drug customers in his residence in
24 Los Angeles, California.
25 Overt Act No. 372: On May 30, 2022, unindicted co-conspirator
26 #48, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
27 defendant BREWER that defendant PAYER was planning to rob a
28 “craigslist drug dealer.”
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1 Overt Act No. 373: On June 6, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
2 defendant MULVIHILL $300 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 374: On June 7, 2022, defendant BINGAMAN asked
4 defendant BECKWITH to supply him with fentanyl.
5 Overt Act No. 375: On June 9, 2022, defendant WATSTEIN agreed
6 to supply defendant RAVIN with heroin.
7 Overt Act No. 376: On June 13, 2022, defendant SMITH, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
9 methamphetamine to unindicted co-conspirator #48.
10 Overt Act No. 377: On June 21, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
11 defendant MULVIHILL $300 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 378: On June 26, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
13 defendant MULVIHILL $1,100 via Cash App.
14 Overt Act No. 379: On June 28, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
15 defendant MULVIHILL $350 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 380: On July 1, 2022, defendant BINGAMAN, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
18 BECKWITH that he was obtaining a quarter of an ounce of fentanyl from
19 a drug source of supply for defendant BINGAMAN and defendant BECKWITH
20 to sell to drug customers.
21 Overt Act No. 381: On July 1, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
22 defendant MULVIHILL $1,200 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 382: On July 1, 2022, defendant SMITH, using
24 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply a
25 quarter of a pound of methamphetamine as well as an ounce of fentanyl
26 to defendant SILVERBERG.
27 Overt Act No. 383: On July 2, 2022, defendant SMITH, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
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1 BINGAMAN that he had access to high-quality fentanyl and
2 methamphetamine.
3 Overt Act No. 384: On July 3, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
4 defendant MULVIHILL $1,330 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 385: On July 9, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
6 defendant MULVIHILL $500 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 386: On July 16, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
8 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 BECKWITH that unindicted co-conspirator #48’s residence had been
10 “raided” by law enforcement.
11 Overt Act No. 387: On July 16, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
12 defendant MULVIHILL $900 via Cash App.
13 Overt Act No. 388: On July 23, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
14 defendant MULVIHILL $350 via Cash App.
15 Overt Act No. 389: On July 24, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
16 defendant MULVIHILL $200 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 390: On July 25, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
18 defendant MULVIHILL $1,000 via Cash App.
19 Overt Act No. 391: On August 1, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
20 defendant MULVIHILL $300 via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 392: On August 2, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
22 defendant MULVIHILL $380 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 393: On August 8, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
24 defendant MULVIHILL $490 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 394: On August 10, 2022, defendant RAMACHANDRAN
26 possessed methamphetamine to distribute to customers and a loaded
27 firearm while driving a stolen motorcycle in Los Angeles, California.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 395: On August 18, 2022, defendant BENEDICT,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
3 drugs to a customer.
4 Overt Act No. 396: On August 23, 2022, defendant MUNOZ, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
6 heroin to defendant IBARRA.
7 Overt Act No. 397: On August 26, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
8 defendant MULVIHILL $250 via Cash App.
9 Overt Act No. 398: On August 27, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
10 defendant MULVIHILL $800 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 399: On August 29, 2022, a drug customer, using
12 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered half an ounce
13 of drugs from defendant BENEDICT.
14 Overt Act No. 400: On August 30, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
15 defendant MULVIHILL $100 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 401: On September 1, 2022, defendant IBARRA,
17 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
18 MUNOZ to supply heroin and Xanax.
19 Overt Act No. 402: On September 2, 2022, defendant LEIMERT,
20 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
21 WINTERS that he had obtain heroin from a drug source of supply.
22 Overt Act No. 403: On September 4, 2022, defendant PAYER, using
23 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
24 BECKWITH that he had two ounces of methamphetamine available to
25 distribute.
26 Overt Act No. 404: On September 18, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
27 defendant MULVIHILL $500 via Cash App.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 405: On September 24, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
2 defendant MULVIHILL $550 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 406: On October 11, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
4 defendant MULVIHILL $470 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 407: On October 14, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
6 defendant MULVIHILL $200 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 408: On October 24, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
8 defendant MULVIHILL $250 via Cash App.
9 Overt Act No. 409: On October 28, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
10 defendant MULVIHILL $1,000 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 410: On November 14, 2022, defendant MULVIHILL
12 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 51 grams of
13 methamphetamine, 19 grams of PCP, and 1,511 grams of fentanyl in a
14 vehicle that he was driving in Los Angeles, California.
15 Overt Act No. 411: On November 16, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
16 defendant MULVIHILL $700 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 412: On November 30, 2022, unindicted co-
18 conspirator #51, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
19 told defendant WATSTEIN that defendant FRANCIS had been arrested.
20 Overt Act No. 413: On December 2, 2022, defendant MACDONALD,
21 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 CHATTERTON that he had a drug source of supply for hydrocodone.
23 Overt Act No. 414: On December 3, 2022, defendant MACDONALD,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, instructed
25 defendant CHAN to send him $200 so that defendant MACDONALD could
26 obtain additional heroin to distribute.
27 Overt Act No. 415: On December 5, 2022, defendant MACDONALD,
28 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
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1 CHAN that he needed to obtain additional drugs to distribute because
2 his customers were having drug withdrawal symptoms.
3 Overt Act No. 416: On December 17, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
4 defendant MULVIHILL $600 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 417: On December 20, 2022, defendant BECKWITH,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
7 BINGAMAN that she possessed high-quality crack cocaine as well as
8 ounces of fentanyl to distribute to drug customers.
9 Overt Act No. 418: On December 20, 2022, defendant BAKER sent
10 defendant MULVIHILL $230 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 419: On January 3, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
13 fentanyl to a drug customer.
14 Overt Act No. 420: On January 3, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
16 customer that the price of an ounce of high-quality methamphetamine
17 was $150.
18 Overt Act No. 421: On January 6, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
19 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told a drug
20 customer that she had fentanyl available to distribute.
21 Overt Act No. 422: On January 7, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
22 defendant MULVIHILL $365 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 423: On January 8, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
24 defendant MULVIHILL $450 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 424: On January 9, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
26 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to split
27 the price of an ounce of drugs that she and a drug customer were
28 going to obtain from a drug source of supply.
93
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1 Overt Act No. 425: On January 10, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
3 heroin to defendant SCHWARTZ.
4 Overt Act No. 426: On January 10, 2023, defendant IBARRA, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 BENEDICT that she had heard that unindicted co-conspirator #34 “was
7 in big trouble With the brand.”
8 Overt Act No. 427: On January 16, 2023, defendant BENEDICT,
9 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
10 SCHWARTZ that she had heroin available to distribute.
11 Overt Act No. 428: On January 18, 2023, defendant GLUCKMAN
12 possessed stolen personal identifying information belonging to more
13 than 50 victims in a vehicle he was driving in Los Angeles,
14 California.
15 Overt Act No. 429: On January 23, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
16 defendant MULVIHILL $500 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 430: On January 26, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
18 defendant MULVIHILL $800 via Cash App.
19 Overt Act No. 431: On January 31, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
20 defendant MULVIHILL $1,083 via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 432: On January 31, 2023, defendant LEIMERT,
22 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered a
23 quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine from defendant WATSTEIN.
24 Overt Act No. 433: On February 9, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
25 defendant MULVIHILL $200 via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 434: On February 9, 2023, defendant MULVIHILL
27 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 5.3 grams of
28
94
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1 cocaine base, 743.6 grams of fentanyl, and 1,999 grams of
2 methamphetamine in a hotel room in Los Angeles, California.
3 Overt Act No. 435: On February 10, 2023, defendant BECKWITH,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
5 YACOUB that she was selling high-quality fentanyl.
6 Overt Act No. 436: On February 15, 2023, defendant BECKWITH,
7 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent defendant
8 PAYER a photograph of purple fentanyl that she and defendant
9 MACDONALD would have access to.
10 Overt Act No. 437: On February 15, 2023, defendant PAYER, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
12 BECKWITH that he needed an ounce of fentanyl.
13 Overt Act No. 438: On February 21, 2023, defendant MULVIHILL
14 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 18.5 grams of
15 heroin, 304 grams of fentanyl, and 172 grams of methamphetamine in a
16 vehicle in Los Angeles, California.
17 Overt Act No. 439: On February 27, 2023, defendant RILEY sold
18 approximately 195.6 grams of methamphetamine and 25.82 grams of
19 heroin to a Confidential Informant (“CI”).
20 Overt Act No. 440: On March 3, 2023, defendant HILL sent
21 defendant VENNUM $230 via Cash App.
22 Overt Act No. 441: On March 27, 2023, defendant RILEY sold
23 approximately 214.1 grams of methamphetamine and 26.01 grams of
24 heroin to a CI.
25 Overt Act No. 442: On April 4, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
26 defendant MULVIHILL $700 via Cash App.
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 443: On April 13, 2023, defendant RILEY possessed
2 with intent to distribute approximately one pound of methamphetamine
3 in a vehicle that he was driving.
4 Overt Act No. 444: On April 13, 2023, defendant RILEY possessed
5 with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, as
6 well as firearms, ammunition, body armor, pay/owe sheets, and a
7 digital scale, in his residence in Van Nuys, California.
8 Overt Act No. 445: On April 15, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
9 defendant MULVIHILL $700 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 446: On April 29, 2023, defendant LEIMERT, using
11 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
12 conspirator #23 that he was going to meet with a drug source of
13 supply to obtain an additional quantity of drugs.
14 Overt Act No. 447: On May 8, 2023, defendant YACOUB, using
15 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
16 BECKWITH that he had large quantities of heroin and fentanyl
17 available to distribute to customers.
18 Overt Act No. 448: On May 9, 2023, defendant IBARRA, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply a
20 quarter of an ounce of heroin to unindicted co-conspirator #23.
21 Overt Act No. 449: On May 15, 2023, defendant YACOUB, using
22 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant IBARRA
23 that he had heroin available to distribute.
24 Overt Act No. 450: On May 15, 2023, defendant PAYER, using
25 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
26 BECKWITH that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute
27 customers, and that the fentanyl “is gonna drop people [because] it’s
28 fucking fire.”
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1 Overt Act No. 451: On May 16, 2023, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #23, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
3 defendant IBARRA that she was obtaining heroin from a drug source of
4 supply.
5 Overt Act No. 452: On May 17, 2023, defendant IBARRA, using
6 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to supply
7 unindicted co-conspirator #23 with methamphetamine.
8 Overt Act No. 453: On May 17, 2023, unindicted co-conspirator
9 #33 sent defendant VENNUM $1,000 via Cash App and stated that the
10 money was from unindicted co-conspirator #1.
11 Overt Act No. 454: On May 27, 2023, defendant CHAN, using coded
12 language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant MACDONALD
13 that he had identified a drug customer who was interested in
14 purchasing $2,500 of fentanyl.
15 Overt Act No. 455: On June 8, 2023, unindicted co-conspirator
16 #23, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked
17 defendant IBARRA to supply her with methamphetamine.
18 Overt Act No. 456: On June 10, 2023, defendant BECKWITH, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant PAYER
20 that she was waiting for her drug source of supply to deliver cocaine
21 that she was planning to use to make crack cocaine.
22 Overt Act No. 457: On June 16, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
23 defendant MULVIHILL $200 via Cash App.
24 Overt Act No. 458: On June 19, 2023, defendant VENNUM sent
25 defendant P. EKELUND $500 via Cash App and indicated that the money
26 was “from L.”
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 459: On June 25, 2023, defendant YACOUB, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant IBARRA
3 that he had heroin available to distribute.
4 Overt Act No. 460: On June 28, 2023, defendant VITANZA sent
5 defendant POWERS $450 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 461: On June 30, 2023, defendant CHAN agreed to
7 supply defendant BECKWITH with fentanyl.
8 Overt Act No. 462: On July 6, 2023, defendant YACOUB, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant JACOBS
10 that he had high-quality fentanyl available to distribute to
11 customers.
12 Overt Act No. 463: On July 6, 2023, defendant MACDONALD, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, complained to
14 defendant CHAN that the price of methamphetamine was likely going to
15 rise to $3,000 a pound.
16 Overt Act No. 464: On July 8, 2023, unindicted co-conspirator
17 #2, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, used a
18 contraband cellular telephone to instruct defendant WILLS to contact
19 him as needed.
20 Overt Act No. 465: On July 8, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, warned defendant WILLS
22 to exercise caution when speaking to unindicted co-conspirator #2 via
23 telephone as defendant PICHIE suspected that their telephones were
24 being intercepted by law enforcement.
25 Overt Act No. 466: On July 9, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PICHIE
27 that a Mexican Mafia member had been murdered, and that individuals
28
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1 associated with that Mexican Mafia member would likely soon be
2 murdered as well.
3 Overt Act No. 467: On July 9, 2023, defendant P. EKELUND sent
4 defendant VENNUM $500 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 468: On July 9, 2023, defendants BREWER and
6 WILLS, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, discussed
7 the fact that a Mexican Mafia member had been murdered, and
8 speculated about the identity of the individual who would be adopting
9 that Mexican Mafia member’s responsibilities now that he was dead.
10 Overt Act No. 469: On July 9, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant WILLS
12 that individuals associated with M.T. had previously robbed one of
13 defendant HAVILAND’s marijuana grow houses, and that “white boys,”
14 with “pistols and shit” retaliated by engaging in an armed
15 confrontation with the individuals.
16 Overt Act No. 470: On July 12, 2023, defendant BECKWITH, using
17 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant YACOUB
18 that a drug customer needed to obtain fentanyl.
19 Overt Act No. 471: On July 13, 2023, defendant VENNUM sent
20 defendant P. EKELUND $300 via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 472: On July 20, 2023, defendant RILEY possessed
22 with intent to distribute approximately 38 grams of fentanyl, 53.9
23 grams of methamphetamine, 185.3 grams of heroin, and 114.14 grams of
24 Alprazolam, as well as loaded firearm, a digital scale, and more than
25 $17,000 in cash, in a vehicle that he was driving in Van Nuys,
26 California.
27 Overt Act No. 473: On July 21, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
28 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PICHIE
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1 that he had collected $1,500 from [S.H.], and agreed to meet with
2 defendant PICHIE “in person” the next day to determine if the money
3 was designated for defendant PICHIE or another individual.
4 Overt Act No. 474: On July 30, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
5 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant WILLS
6 that an inmate at Pelican Bay State Prison would contact defendant
7 WILLS to “relay a message” regarding “riots at Pelican Bay” that
8 involved “the whites and the southerners” stabbing each other, so
9 that defendant PICHIE could learn the details regarding who started
10 the conflict and share the information with other AB members who were
11 in custody, including those with access to a contraband cellular
12 telephone.
13 Overt Act No. 475: On August 1, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY sent
14 defendant MEJIA $1,000 via Cash App.
15 Overt Act No. 476: On August 1, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
16 defendant MULVIHILL $399 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 477: On August 2, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent defendant
19 Chan a photograph of a sample of drugs that he was able to obtain
20 from a source of supply, depicted below.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 478: On August 3, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 UNGAMRUNG that he had mailed her a package that contained
4 methamphetamine and at least five grams fentanyl to an address in
5 North Carolina and sent her a photograph of the package.
6 Overt Act No. 479: On August 6, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
7 defendant MULVIHILL $1,278 via Cash App.
8 Overt Act No. 480: On August 6, 2023, defendant FREEMAN, using
9 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
10 MACDONALD that he was sending defendant MACDONALD $200 in connection
11 with their drug distribution activities.
12 Overt Act No. 481: On August 7, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
13 defendant MULVIHILL $194 via Cash App.
14 Overt Act No. 482: On August 8, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY sent
15 defendant MEJIA $1,200 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 483: On August 9, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
17 defendant MULVIHILL $580 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 484: On August 12, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
19 defendant MULVIHILL $125 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 485: On August 12, 2023, defendant IBARRA, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply an
22 ounce of methamphetamine to defendant WILLS.
23 Overt Act No. 486: On August 15, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
24 defendant MULVIHILL $873 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 487: On August 15, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, obtained an update from
27 an inmate at Pelican Bay State Prison about the current relationship
28
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1 between inmates aligned with the AB and inmates aligned with the
2 Mexican Mafia at the custodial facility.
3 Overt Act No. 488: On August 16, 2023, defendant FREEMAN sent
4 defendant CHATTERTON $200 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 489: On August 16, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
6 coded language in a recorded telephone call, contacted defendant
7 VITANZA and identified himself as a fellow AB member with the moniker
8 “Sinister.”
9 Overt Act No. 490: On August 16, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
10 coded language in a recorded telephone call, reassured unindicted co-
11 conspirator #4 that, despite the fact that defendant PICHIE had to
12 wear an ankle monitor, he was able to assist the AB, including by
13 sharing information with AB members in custody who had access to
14 contraband cellular telephones.
15 Overt Act No. 491: On August 16, 2023, unindicted co-
16 conspirator #4, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
17 identified for defendant PICHIE the individuals that unindicted co-
18 conspirator #5 wanted murdered.
19 Overt Act No. 492: On August 16, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, complained to defendant
21 VITANZA that unindicted co-conspirator #4 was the only AB member who
22 contacted defendant PICHIE directly via a contraband cellular
23 telephone without using Signal or Telegram to communicate over the
24 telephone.
25 Overt Act No. 493: On August 16, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant VITANZA
27 that he was introduced to defendant WILLS when he was in prison with
28 unindicted co-conspirator #24 and that defendant WILLS had been
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1 managing money for defendant PICHIE and doing other work on his
2 behalf for a long time.
3 Overt Act No. 494: On August 16, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
4 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PICHIE
5 that defendant CHOTARD was “helpful,” “trustworthy,” and “good with a
6 gun and a pencil.”
7 Overt Act No. 495: On August 17, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 CHAN that he was selling fentanyl for $300 a half an ounce and $170
10 for a quarter of an ounce, and included the below photograph:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 Overt Act No. 496: On August 17, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
22 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
23 CHAN that he had methamphetamine and fentanyl available to distribute
24 and instructed defendant Chan to meet him at the drug stash house
25 located at 9400 Valjean Avenue in North Hills, California.
26 Overt Act No. 497: On August 19, 2023, defendant VENNUM, using
27 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant WILLS
28 that he was at the residence located on Tyrone Avenue in Van Nuys,
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1 California and that unindicted co-conspirator #1 had instructed him
2 to contact defendant WILLS.
3 Overt Act No. 498: On August 20, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY sent
4 defendant MEJIA $1,610 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 499: On August 21, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
6 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
7 FREEMAN that a drug source of supply would sell half an ounce of
8 fentanyl for $600.
9 Overt Act No. 500: On August 22, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
10 defendant MULVIHILL $300 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 501: On August 23, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
12 coded language in a recorded telephone call, and unindicted co-
13 conspirator #38 discussed the fact that defendant RILEY had recently
14 been arrested with guns and a large quantity of drugs.
15 Overt Act No. 502: On August 24, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to obtain
17 $250 worth of drugs from a source of supply for defendant FREEMAN and
18 would collect the money from defendant FREEMAN that evening or the
19 following morning.
20 Overt Act No. 503: On August 25, 2023, defendant MACDOANLD,
21 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 MORENO that he presently had $1,700 and needed an additional $300 to
23 obtain a quarter pound of drugs.
24 Overt Act No. 504: On August 25, 2023, defendant MACDOANLD,
25 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
26 MORENO that he was working with three other individuals in addition
27 to defendant Moreno to distribute drugs.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 505: On August 25, 2023, defendant MACDONALD sent
2 defendant Moreno a payment request for $300, depicted in the image
3 below, in connection with an upcoming drug transaction.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Overt Act No. 506: On August 25, 2023, defendants PICHIE and
17 VITANZA, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, discussed
18 defendant VITANZA’s fentanyl distribution activities.
19 Overt Act No. 507: On August 25, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant VENNUM
21 that unindicted co-conspirator #1 wanted defendant PICHIE to speak
22 with defendant VENNUM and that he would contact defendant VENNUM
23 using Signal.
24 Overt Act No. 508: On August 25, 2023, defendant VENNUM, using
25 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PICHIE
26 that he was going to retrieve “30” from his storage unit to deliver
27 to defendants PICHIE and VITANZA to store in a “low-key spot.”
28
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1 Overt Act No. 509: On August 25, 2023, defendant PICHIE, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant WILLS
3 that he needed help with “something important,” and instructed
4 defendant WILLS to meet him and defendant VITANZA at defendant
5 WILLS’s storage unit.
6 Overt Act No. 510: On August 25, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
7 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to keep the item
8 that defendants PICHIE and VITANZA obtained from defendant VENNUM in
9 his residence and transfer it to his storage unit the next day.
10 Overt Act No. 511: On August 26, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
11 defendant MULVIHILL $100 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 512: On August 28, 2023, defendant YACOUB, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
14 BECKWITH that he had obtained two ounces of fentanyl to distribute to
15 drug customers.
16 Overt Act No. 513: On September 1, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY
17 sent defendant MEJIA $300 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 514: On September 3, 2023, defendant VITANZA sent
19 defendant POWERS $400 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 515: On September 3, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
21 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
22 FREEMAN that he was able to obtain drugs to distribute from a source
23 of supply at a discounted price.
24 Overt Act No. 516: On September 3, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
25 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, agreed to sell
26 defendant FREEMAN 5.5 grams of drugs for at a discounted price.
27 Overt Act No. 517: On September 5, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
28 defendant MULVIHILL $395 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 518: On September 7, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
2 defendant MULVIHILL $200 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 519: On September 8, 2023, defendant PICHIE,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, reminded defendant
5 WILLS to only communicate regarding criminal activity via Signal and
6 warned defendant WILLS that unindicted co-conspirator #2 had gotten
7 “snapped up in a RICO” and that his contraband cellular telephone had
8 recently been seized by law enforcement.
9 Overt Act No. 520: On September 9, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
10 defendant MULVIHILL $100 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 521: On September 9, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
12 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, displayed a
13 photograph of drugs that he had available to distribute and told
14 defendant CHAN that he was located at the drug stash house located at
15 9400 Valjean Avenue in North Hills, California.
16 Overt Act No. 522: On September 9, 2023, defendant PICHIE,
17 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, instructed
18 defendant WILLS to download Signal in order to obtain an update
19 regarding unindicted co-conspirator #2’s RICO case and the status of
20 his seized contraband cellular telephone.
21 Overt Act No. 523: On September 9, 2023, defendant RAMACHANDRAN
22 possessed 276.82 grams of methamphetamine and 93.89 grams of fentanyl
23 as well as a firearm in a vehicle that he was driving in Los Angeles,
24 California.
25 Overt Act No. 524: On September 10, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY
26 sent defendant MEJIA $299 via Cash App.
27 Overt Act No. 525: On September 10, 2023, defendant SLAYTON
28 sent defendant GAITHER $400 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 526: On September 13, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
3 FREEMAN that the price for three grams of fentanyl was $100.
4 Overt Act No. 527: On September 13, 2023, defendant CHAN
5 traveled to the drug stash house located at 9400 Valjean Avenue in
6 North Hills, California to purchase drugs to distribute.
7 Overt Act No. 528: On September 13, 2023, defendant VENNUM sent
8 unindicted co-conspirator #21 $230 via Cash App and indicated that
9 the money was from unindicted co-conspirator #1.
10 Overt Act No. 529: On September 13, 2023, defendant VITANZA
11 sent defendant POWERS $283 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 530: On September 15, 2023, defendant W. POLLAY
13 sent defendant MEJIA $300 via Cash App.
14 Overt Act No. 531: On September 16, 2023, defendant MORENO,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered a
16 quarter of an ounce of drugs from defendant MACDONALD.
17 Overt Act No. 532: On September 21, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
18 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
19 defendant MACDONALD with drugs to distribute to customers, and
20 defendant MACDONALD agreed to deliver a portion of his drug
21 distribution proceeds to defendant VITANZA.
22 Overt Act No. 533: On September 22, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
23 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
24 VITANZA that he would have $500 in drug distribution proceeds for
25 defendant VITANZA later that day and told defendant VITANZA that he
26 presently needed an additional ounce and a half of drugs to
27 distribute to customers.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 539: On September 27, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
2 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, directed defendant
3 CHOTARD to contact unindicted co-conspirator #1 on his contraband
4 cellular telephone and tell unindicted co-conspirator #1 that
5 defendant VITANZA wanted to obtain an additional quantity of fentanyl
6 to sell to customers, that he presently had money to pay for the
7 drugs in advance, and that he had many drug customers ready to
8 purchase drugs.
9 Overt Act No. 540: On September 27, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
10 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
11 THAEMERT that he was going to obtain fentanyl to distribute from a
12 drug source of supply.
13 Overt Act No. 541: On September 27, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
14 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, instructed
15 defendant CHOTARD to contact unindicted co-conspirator #1 on his
16 contraband cellular telephone and tell unindicted co-conspirator #1
17 that defendant VITANZA needed to obtain another quantity of high-
18 quality fentanyl to distribute.
19 Overt Act No. 542: On September 27, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
21 CHOTARD that he had recently been obtaining drugs to distribute at a
22 good price from unindicted co-conspirator #1 and complained that he
23 always lost money when unindicted co-conspirator #2 was involved in
24 supplying him with drugs.
25 Overt Act No. 543: On September 27, 2023, defendant CHOTARD,
26 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
27 VITANZA that she was presently communicating with unindicted co-
28
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1 conspirator #1 on his contraband cellular telephone and that
2 unindicted co-conspirator #1 wanted defendant VITANZA to call him.
3 Overt Act No. 544: On September 28, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
5 THAEMERT that he was going to pick up a load of drugs to distribute,
6 and that half of the load was designated for defendant PICHIE to
7 distribute to customers.
8 Overt Act No. 545: On September 28, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
10 THAEMERT that defendant PICHIE did not want to assist him in picking
11 up the load of drugs, and complained that the last time he and
12 defendant PICHIE obtained a load of drugs, defendant VITANZA “fuckin’
13 weighed it out” on his own while defendant PICHIE just stood there
14 watching “with a bandana all over his face.”
15 Overt Act No. 546: On September 28, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
17 THAEMERT that defendant PICHIE had tried to convince defendant
18 VITANZA that neither of them personally had to pick up the load of
19 drugs because both he and defendant VITANZA had earned the status of
20 being made AB members.
21 Overt Act No. 547: On September 28, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
22 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
23 VITANZA that he would pick up the load of drugs for defendants
24 VITANZA and PICHIE.
25 Overt Act No. 548: On September 28, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
26 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, warned defendant
27 THAEMERT that the load of drugs he was going to pick up was very
28 large, that he should not touch the drugs, and that the smell of the
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1 drugs would be very powerful and that defendant THAEMERT would leave
2 “a vapor trail when [he] drive[s]” away with the quantity of drugs
3 designated for defendants VITANZA and PICHIE.
4 Overt Act No. 549: On September 28, 2023, defendant B. EKELUND,
5 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted
6 co-conspirator #11 to give his telephone to unindicted co-conspirator
7 #35 while defendant B. EKELUND was in custody.
8 Overt Act No. 550: On September 28, 2023, defendant WILLS,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to send
10 $300 - $500 of defendant B. EKELUND’s drug distribution proceeds to
11 defendant B. EKELUND’s custodial facility.
12 Overt Act No. 551: On September 30, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
13 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendants
14 CHATTERTON and POWERS that he still owed a drug source of supply
15 $7,000 in connection with his drug distribution activities.
16 Overt Act No. 552: On September 30, 2023, defendant CHATTERTON,
17 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, offered to use his
18 “name” to get a “fresh credit limit” with a drug source of supply to
19 obtain additional drugs to distribute.
20 Overt Act No. 553: On October 2, 2023, unindicted co-
21 conspirator #32, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
22 told defendant WILLS that fentanyl that unindicted co-conspirator #32
23 had recently smoked was supplied by unindicted co-conspirator #1 and
24 that unindicted co-conspirator #1 maintained a drug stash house on
25 Tyrone Avenue in Van Nuys, California.
26 Overt Act No. 554: On October 3, 2023, defendants B. EKELUND
27 and WILLS and unindicted co-conspirator #36, using coded language in
28 a recorded telephone call, discussed their concern that unindicted
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1 co-conspirator #35 had overdosed on drugs after unindicted co-
2 conspirator #35 took custody of defendant B. EKELUND’s supply of
3 drugs.
4 Overt Act No. 555: On October 3, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
5 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant IBARRA
6 that he was concerned that unindicted co-conspirator #35 had possibly
7 died of a fentanyl overdose and told defendant IBARRA that unindicted
8 co-conspirator #35 was responsible for storing defendant B. EKELUND’s
9 stash of drugs.
10 Overt Act No. 556: On October 3, 2023, defendant B. EKELUND,
11 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, provided
12 defendants PICHIE and WILLS with unindicted co-conspirator #35’s true
13 name, and defendant PICHIE told defendant B. EKELUND that he and
14 defendant WILLS would “check the hospitals and the morgue” for
15 unindicted co-conspirator #35’s body.
16 Overt Act No. 557: On October 4, 2023, unindicted co-
17 conspirator #11, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
18 told defendant WILLS that unindicted co-conspirator #35 was dead and
19 that she had located both “a coroner report and a Hollywood News
20 report” verifying his death.
21 Overt Act No. 558: On October 4, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
23 conspirator #10 that unindicted co-conspirator #35 possessed “all of
24 [defendant B. EKELUND’s] dope,” his keys, as well as other belongings
25 in unindicted co-conspirator #35’s residence when unindicted co-
26 conspirator #35 died of a fentanyl overdose.
27 Overt Act No. 559: On October 4, 2023, defendant VITANZA sent
28 defendant POWERS $450 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 560: On October 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant THAEMERT
3 that he would be able to sell him an ounce of fentanyl for $400.
4 Overt Act No. 561: On October 6, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
5 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
6 VITANZA that he was able to sell 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a drug
7 customer for $225.
8 Overt Act No. 562: On October 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant POWERS
10 that he needed to meet with defendant P. EKELUND to obtain drugs to
11 distribute.
12 Overt Act No. 563: On October 6, 2023, defendant POWERS, using
13 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant VITANZA
14 that his Cash App card was not working but that he had cash available
15 for defendant VITANZA to obtain additional drugs from defendant P.
16 EKELUND.
17 Overt Act No. 564: On October 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
18 coded language in a recorded telephone call, directed defendant
19 THAEMERT to obtain $450 in cash from defendant POWERS to use to
20 obtain a quantity of fentanyl from defendant P. EKELUND.
21 Overt Act No. 565: On October 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, directed defendant
23 POWERS to give defendant THAEMERT the cash for the drugs that
24 defendant VITANZA was going to obtain from defendant P. EKELUND.
25 Overt Act No. 566: On October 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, said that he expected to
27 obtain ten ounces of drugs from defendant P. EKELUND and that he
28 would give one of the ounces to defendant THAEMERT.
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1 Overt Act No. 567: On October 6, 2023, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #1, in a text message, provided defendant RAMACHANDRAN
3 with the new telephone number to his contraband cellular telephone.
4 Overt Act No. 568: On October 8, 2023, defendant FREEMAN, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 MACDONALD that he would send defendant MACDONALD $250 to obtain more
7 drugs from a drug source of supply.
8 Overt Act No. 569: On October 8, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
10 VITANZA that he presently had $260 in drug distribution proceeds for
11 defendant VITANZA.
12 Overt Act No. 570: On October 9, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
13 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant IBARRA
14 that he would determine who was distributing heroin now that
15 defendant B. EKELUND was in custody.
16 Overt Act No. 571: On October 11, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
17 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
18 heroin to defendant POWERS.
19 Overt Act No. 572: On October 11, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
21 an ounce of drugs to defendant ROMERO for $120.
22 Overt Act No. 573: On October 11, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
23 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
24 THAEMERT that defendant MACDONALD owed him $2,000 in drug
25 distribution proceeds.
26 Overt Act No. 574: On October 12, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
27 defendant SLAYTON $100 via Cash App.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 575: On October 13, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
2 defendant SLAYTON $450 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 576: On October 14, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
5 VITANZA that defendant MACDONALD wanted to rob a drug source of
6 supply.
7 Overt Act No. 577: On October 14, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
8 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
9 CHOTARD that unindicted co-conspirator #1 had arranged for defendant
10 SCHULTZ to deliver drugs to defendant VITANZA.
11 Overt Act No. 578: On October 14, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
12 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to meet
13 with defendant SCHULTZ to obtain drugs to distribute.
14 Overt Act No. 579: On October 22, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
15 defendant SLAYTON $200 via Cash App.
16 Overt Act No. 580: On October 22, 2023, defendant BAKER sent
17 defendant MULVIHILL $175 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 581: On October 24, 2023, defendant P. EKELUND
19 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 982.2 grams of
20 fentanyl and 135.3 grams of methamphetamine, as well as multiple
21 firearms and several rounds of ammunition, in Van Nuys, California.
22 Overt Act No. 582: On October 24, 2023, defendant VENNUM
23 possessed firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition in Van Nuys,
24 California.
25 Overt Act No. 583: On October 25, 2023, defendant SHAPIRO sent
26 defendant SLAYTON $100 via Cash App.
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 584: On October 28, 2023, defendant PAYER, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
3 MACDONALD to supply fentanyl to sell to drug customers.
4 Overt Act No. 585: On October 29, 2023, defendant SLAYTON sent
5 defendant FRANCIS $550 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 586: On November 1, 2023, defendant VITANZA sent
7 unindicted co-conspirator #40 $400 via Cash App.
8 Overt Act No. 587: On November 3, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered an ounce of
10 drugs from defendant MACDONALD.
11 Overt Act No. 588: On November 3, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
12 using coded language in a text message exchange, asked defendant
13 FREEMAN to send him cash so that defendant MACDONALD could obtain an
14 additional quantity of drugs from a source of supply.
15 Overt Act No. 589: On November 5, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
16 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MACDONALD
17 that they could obtain two ounces of methamphetamine and two ounces
18 of high-quality fentanyl for $1,200 from a drug source of supply.
19 Overt Act No. 590: On November 5, 2023, defendant SLAYTON,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to provide
21 fentanyl to defendant THAEMERT once defendant SLAYTON obtained an
22 additional quantity of fentanyl from a drug source of supply.
23 Overt Act No. 591: On November 6, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
25 PAYER that he was planning to rob a drug source of supply.
26 Overt Act No. 592: On November 6, 2023, defendant UNGAMRUNG,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
28 MACDONALD that she wanted to assist defendant MACDONALD to obtain
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1 methamphetamine and fentanyl from a source of supply by contributing
2 money to the upcoming drug transaction.
3 Overt Act No. 593: On November 6, 2023, defendant UNGAMRUNG,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
5 MACDONALD that she had sent him money so that he could obtain half an
6 ounce of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of fentanyl from a
7 drug source of supply.
8 Overt Act No. 594: On November 6, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
10 FREEMAN that defendant THAEMERT owed defendant VITANZA $1,100 in drug
11 distribution proceeds.
12 Overt Act No. 595: On November 6, 2023, defendant MACDONALD, in
13 a text message exchange, provided defendant UNGAMRUNG with defendant
14 BECKWITH’s Cash App account information.
15 Overt Act No. 596: On November 6, 2023, defendant PAYER, using
16 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
17 MACDONALD that he could obtain counterfeit money to be used in drug
18 transactions.
19 Overt Act No. 597: On November 6, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, complained to
21 defendant UNGAMRUNG that defendant CHAN’s telephone was off despite
22 defendant MACDONALD’s present efforts to negotiate a favorable deal
23 for methamphetamine and high-quality fentanyl from a source of
24 supply.
25 Overt Act No. 598: On November 6, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
26 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
27 HEINTZ that he had sent defendant HEINTZ a text message regarding a
28 quantity of methamphetamine.
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1 Overt Act No. 599: On November 6, 2023, defendant ROMERO, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
3 conspirator #1 that she had met with a third party at defendant
4 HAVILAND’s residence and given him thousands of dollars in drug
5 distribution proceeds on behalf of “L.”
6 Overt Act No. 600: On November 6, 2023, defendant Romero sent
7 unindicted co-conspirator #1 the following text message:
8 Ya know I didn't think bout it and I really
should’ve but I didn't just say too much on the phone today
9 and if so I am sorry and I’ll be more mindful next time
10
Overt Act No. 601: On November 7, 2023, unindicted co-
11
conspirator #27 sent defendant FRANCIS $500 via Cash App.
12
Overt Act No. 602: On November 7, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
13
using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
14
THAEMERT that defendant MACDONALD’s drug source of supply oversaw a
15
large drug distribution operation in Ventura County, obtained pounds
16
of methamphetamine at a time, and generated approximately $100,000 a
17
week in drug distribution proceeds.
18
Overt Act No. 603: On November 7, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
19
using coded language in a recorded telephone call, offered to sell
20
defendant MACDONALD two ounces of methamphetamine for $240.
21
Overt Act No. 604: On November 8, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
22
coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant IBARRA
23
that unindicted co-conspirator #19 was the individual that AB members
24
sent from Northern California to Southern California to facilitate
25
criminal conduct on behalf of the AB.
26
Overt Act No. 605: On November 8, 2023, defendant WILLS, using
27
coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant IBARRA
28
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1 that he was trying to “butter [unindicted co-conspirator #11] up and
2 shit so I can fuckin’ find out where she’s at, fuckin’, and get her.”
3 Overt Act No. 606: On November 9, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
5 POWERS that he had met with a drug source of supply who “slings
6 fuckin’ dope,” and that he had “picked up a, a few ounces from her.”
7 Overt Act No. 607: On November 11, 2023, defendant HEINTZ,
8 using coded language in a text message exchange, ordered fentanyl
9 from defendant THAEMERT.
10 Overt Act No. 608: On November 11, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
11 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered two ounces
12 of heroin from a drug source of supply and told the drug supplier
13 that he needed to return an ounce of fentanyl because the drugs were
14 not good quality.
15 Overt Act No. 609: On November 11, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, directed
17 defendant PAYER to obtain a large amount of counterfeit money to be
18 used in connection with drug transactions.
19 Overt Act No. 610: On November 12, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
20 defendant SLAYTON $300 via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 611: On November 12, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
22 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
23 HEINTZ that he had delivered $180 of fentanyl to defendant HEINTZ.
24 Overt Act No. 612: On November 12, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
25 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
26 HEINTZ that he would “come to wherever [he was] with the scale right
27 now” so that he could ensure that all of the fentanyl that he had
28 previously delivered to defendant HEINTZ was there.
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1 Overt Act No. 613: On November 13, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
2 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered a quarter
3 of an ounce of methamphetamine from defendant VAN VLYMEN.
4 Overt Act No. 614: On November 14, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
5 defendant SLAYTON $300 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 615: On November 14, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
7 coded language in a recorded telephone call, complained to defendant
8 MACDONALD about the quality of drugs that defendant MACDONALD had
9 obtained from a drug source of supply.
10 Overt Act No. 616: On November 15, 2023, defendant SLAYTON sent
11 defendant FRANCIS $200 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 617: On November 15, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
13 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
14 CHAN that defendant MACDONALD was going to rob a drug source of
15 supply and steal his heroin and would give defendant CHAN two ounces
16 of heroin after the robbery.
17 Overt Act No. 618: On November 16, 2023, defendant RESNICK,
18 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
19 CHATTERTON that she would obtain methamphetamine that defendant
20 CHATTERTON had stored in his vehicle and would supply an ounce of
21 methamphetamine to a drug customer.
22 Overt Act No. 619: On November 16, 2023, defendant RESNICK,
23 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
24 CHATTERTON that she spilled a portion of methamphetamine when she was
25 weighing the drugs for a customer.
26 Overt Act No. 620: On November 16, 2023, defendant HAVILAND,
27 using coded language in a text message exchange, instructed defendant
28 CHOTARD to tell defendant VITANZA that unindicted co-conspirator #8,
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1 an AB commissioner, was being released from custody and that
2 defendant VITANZA “need[ed] [to do] what’s expected.”
3 Overt Act No. 621: On November 17, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
4 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MACDONALD
5 that defendant UNGAMRUNG would send defendant MACDONALD money for an
6 additional quantity of drugs to distribute to customers.
7 Overt Act No. 622: On November 17, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
8 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered a quarter
9 of an ounce of drugs from defendant SLAYTON.
10 Overt Act No. 623: On November 18, 2023, defendant DIETZEN,
11 using coded language in a text message exchange, ordered a half of a
12 unit of drugs from defendant THAEMERT.
13 Overt Act No. 624: On November 18, 2023, in a recorded
14 telephone call using coded language, defendant CHOTARD discussed with
15 defendant VITANZA the location of a quantity of fentanyl that they
16 possessed.
17 Overt Act No. 625: On November 18, 2023, defendant SLAYTON,
18 using coded language in a text message exchange, agreed to supply a
19 half of a pound of drugs to defendant THAEMERT for $500.
20 Overt Act No. 626: On November 19, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MACDONALD
22 that defendant UNGAMRUNG would send money for a quantity of
23 methamphetamine.
24 Overt Act No. 627: On November 19, 2023, defendants MACDONALD
25 and BECKWITH, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
26 defendant CHAN that they were going to obtain methamphetamine from a
27 drug source of supply.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 628: On November 20, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MACDONALD
3 that defendant UNGAMRUNG wanted to obtain half an ounce of fentanyl
4 and have an ounce of methamphetamine from a drug source of supply and
5 would send money for the drugs.
6 Overt Act No. 629: On November 20, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
7 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, reminded
8 defendant UNGAMRUNG to send money via Cash App for half an ounce of
9 fentanyl.
10 Overt Act No. 630: On November 20, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
11 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
12 UNGAMRUNG that he regularly shipped drugs in the mail to “Chicago
13 Idaho and Oklahoma.”
14 Overt Act No. 631: On November 20, 2023, defendant CHATTERTON,
15 using coded language in a text message exchange, told a drug customer
16 that defendant RESNICK would look for the receipt for the package
17 that contained methamphetamine that defendant CHATTERTON had shipped
18 in the mail.
19 Overt Act No. 632: On November 21, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, asked defendant
21 VITANZA if he presently had methamphetamine to distribute.
22 Overt Act No. 633: On November 21, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
23 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
24 VITANZA that she was obtaining additional methamphetamine to
25 distribute from a drug source of supply.
26 Overt Act No. 634: On November 21, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered a quarter
28 of an ounce of methamphetamine from defendant VAN VLYMEN.
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1 Overt Act No. 635: On November 23, 2023, defendant DIETZEN,
2 using coded language in a text message exchange, ordered a half of a
3 unit of drugs from defendant THAEMERT.
4 Overt Act No. 636: On November 25, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
5 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant VAN
6 VLYMEN that he was going to supply her with high-quality drugs that
7 her customers would like.
8 Overt Act No. 637: On November 25, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
9 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
10 VITANZA that she would give defendant CHOTARD $400 in drug
11 distribution proceeds.
12 Overt Act No. 638: On November 25, 2023, defendant POWERS,
13 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
14 FREEMAN that he would supply him with heroin.
15 Overt Act No. 639: On November 25, 2023, defendant DIETZEN,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
17 CHOTARD that law enforcement officers had recently seized a quantity
18 of fentanyl from his residence and that the officers were sending the
19 drugs to the laboratory for testing.
20 Overt Act No. 640: On November 26, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
21 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
22 MACDONALD that defendant VITANZA wanted to speak with defendant
23 MACDONALD regarding drug distribution proceeds that defendant
24 MACDONALD owed to defendant VITANZA.
25 Overt Act No. 641: On November 26, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
26 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
27 VITANZA that he had drug distribution proceeds to deliver to
28 defendant VITANZA on behalf of defendant MACDONALD.
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1 Overt Act No. 642: On November 26, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
2 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
3 VITANZA that defendant MACDONALD was able to obtain drugs to
4 distribute from a source of supply at a discounted rate.
5 Overt Act No. 643: On November 26, 2023, defendant THAEMERT
6 sent defendant SLAYTON $400 via Cash App.
7 Overt Act No. 644: On November 26, 2023, defendant POWERS,
8 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
9 VITANZA that he would supply heroin to defendant FREEMAN.
10 Overt Act No. 645: On November 26, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
11 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
12 FREEMAN that defendant POWERS would supply defendant FREEMAN with
13 heroin once defendant POWERS obtained the drugs from a source of
14 supply.
15 Overt Act No. 646: On November 26, 2023, defendant FREEMAN,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
17 VITANZA that defendant POWERS offered to supply defendant FREEMAN
18 with heroin in the future.
19 Overt Act No. 647: On November 27, 2023, defendant HEINTZ,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered $300 of
21 fentanyl from defendant THAEMERT.
22 Overt Act No. 648: On November 27, 2023, defendant HEINTZ,
23 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
24 THAEMERT that he had already obtained fentanyl from a drug source of
25 supply but needed to obtain methamphetamine from defendant THAEMERT.
26 Overt Act No. 649: On November 27, 2023, defendant CHOTARD,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
28 VITANZA that she possessed methamphetamine that she had obtained from
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1 defendant HAVILAND and would be able to deliver the methamphetamine
2 to defendant VITANZA.
3 Overt Act No. 650: On November 28, 2023, defendant CRISWELL,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
5 MACDONALD that unindicted co-conspirator #1 calls defendant CRISWELL
6 to collect drug distribution proceeds.
7 Overt Act No. 651: On November 28, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
8 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
9 CRISWELL that he presently had drugs available to distribute and
10 stated that he thought that defendant SCHULTZ did as well.
11 Overt Act No. 652: On November 29, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
12 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
13 DIETZEN that he had morphine pills available to sell to a customer
14 that defendant DIETZEN had identified.
15 Overt Act No. 653: On November 29, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, complained to
17 defendant VITANZA that a “Canoga Park” gang member “came by trying to
18 talk politics,” and told defendant VAN VLYMEN that “anybody who’s not
19 working with the Brand is going to get taxed” in connection with
20 their drug distribution activities.
21 Overt Act No. 654: On November 29, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
22 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, authorized
23 defendant VAN VLYMEN to tell others that she was “working for the
24 Brand.”
25 Overt Act No. 655: On November 29, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
26 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
27 VITANZA that she told a “Canoga Park” gang member that “no, white
28
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1 people, period, are gonna get taxed” by a Hispanic gang in the San
2 Fernando Valley.
3 Overt Act No. 656: On November 30, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN
4 sent the following text message to defendant VITANZA complaining
5 about the quality of drugs that he was supplying:
6 There’s still complaints. The people closest to me try to buy it
elsewhere before coming to me cuz it doesn’t seem to get them
7 there.... You should be getting the best of the best but this has
been consistently the worst available. Not talking shit, talking
8
truth. Can you exchange?? I would like to[.]
9
10 Overt Act No. 657: On December 1, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
11 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
12 FREEMAN that a drug source of supply would be willing to sell
13 defendant FREEMAN 12.5 grams of heroin for $275.
14 Overt Act No. 658: On December 1, 2023, defendant THAEMERT,
15 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
16 DIETZEN that the price of half a unit of drugs was $650 and the price
17 of a full unit of drugs was $1,250.
18 Overt Act No. 659: On December 1, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
19 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
20 FREEMAN that he was able to negotiate a good price for drugs for
21 defendant FREEMAN because defendant MACDONALD “buy[s] everything”
22 from the source of supply.
23 Overt Act No. 660: On December 2, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
24 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent a
25 photograph of drugs that he had available to distribute to a drug
26 customer.
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 661: On December 2, 2023, defendant HEINTZ, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered an ounce of
3 drugs from defendant THAEMERT.
4 Overt Act No. 662: On December 3, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 MACDONALD that defendant UNGAMRUNG wanted to purchase an ounce of
7 drugs from defendant MACDONALD if he was able to obtain the same
8 quality of drugs from a previous transaction.
9 Overt Act No. 663: On December 3, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
10 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
11 MACDONALD that defendant CHAN was waiting with a drug customer that
12 had $150 and asked if defendant BECKWITH was delivering the drugs for
13 the customer soon.
14 Overt Act No. 664: On December 5, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
15 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
16 CRISWELL that he had methamphetamine available to distribute.
17 Overt Act No. 665: On December 8, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, instructed
19 defendant UNGAMRUNG to tell defendant CHAN to contact defendant
20 MACDONALD regarding an upcoming drug transaction.
21 Overt Act No. 666: On December 10, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
22 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
23 UNGAMRUNG if she and defendant CHAN were going to contribute money so
24 that defendants MACDONALD, CHAN, and UNGAMRUNG could purchase high-
25 quality drugs from a source of supply.
26 Overt Act No. 667: On December 19, 2023, defendant SLAYTON,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told an inmate at
28 Pelican Bay State Prison that defendant PICHIE was attempting to
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1 contact him because defendant PICHIE had heard that he was “slanging
2 big pounds” of drugs.
3 Overt Act No. 668: On December 20, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
4 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
5 UNGAMRUNG that he had methamphetamine for defendants CHAN and
6 UNGAMRUNG.
7 Overt Act No. 669: On December 19, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
8 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, contacted a drug
9 source of supply to request a quarter of a pound of drugs for a
10 customer.
11 Overt Act No. 670: On December 20, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
12 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, scolded an
13 individual for telling a third-party that defendant VAN VLYMEN’s
14 house was “Brand protected” without proper authorization.
15 Overt Act No. 671: On December 21, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
16 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
17 CHAN that defendant MACDONALD was obtaining a quarter of a pound of
18 drugs from a drug source of supply and told defendant CHAN that he
19 planned to give defendant CHAN half an ounce of methamphetamine.
20 Overt Act No. 672: On December 21, 2023, unindicted co-
21 conspirator #1, in a text message exchange, sent defendant SCHULTZ a
22 link to install Signal on defendant SCHULTZ’s new cellular telephone.
23 Overt Act No. 673: On December 22, 2023, unindicted co-
24 conspirator #1, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
25 instructed defendant SCHULTZ to call him back on Signal or Telegram.
26 Overt Act No. 674: On December 23, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
28 ROMERO that defendant VITANZA had engaged in an attempted murder
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1 while incarcerated at the High Desert Prison located in Susanville,
2 California.
3 Overt Act No. 675: On December 23, 2023, defendant VITANZA,
4 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, bragged to
5 defendant ROMERO that he was the “youngest made member of the Aryan
6 Brotherhood,” and described to defendant ROMERO his leadership style
7 as an AB member.
8 Overt Act No. 676: On December 23, 2023, defendant CRISWELL,
9 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, identified a
10 customer that wanted to purchase drugs from defendant MACDONALD.
11 Overt Act No. 677: On December 24, 2023, defendant SCHULTZ,
12 using coded language in a text message, requested that unindicted co-
13 conspirator #1 use unindicted co-conspirator #1’s contraband cellular
14 telephone to contact him.
15 Overt Act No. 678: On December 26, 2023, defendant VAN VLYMEN,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
17 drugs to a customer.
18 Overt Act No. 679: On December 27, 2023, defendant EKLUND sent
19 defendant SLAYTON $175 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 680: On December 27, 2023, defendant SCHULTZ,
21 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
22 fentanyl to defendant P. EKELUND.
23 Overt Act No. 681: On December 27, 2023, defendant P. EKELUND
24 possessed with intent to distribute 82 pills that contained fentanyl
25 that he had obtained from defendant SCHULTZ.
26 Overt Act No. 682: On December 27, 2023, defendant SCHULTZ,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
28 VENNUM that law enforcement officers confronted him and defendant P.
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1 EKELUND during a drug transaction earlier that evening, and that law
2 enforcement officers followed defendant P. EKELUND as he attempted to
3 flee.
4 Overt Act No. 683: On December 29, 2023, defendant GAITHER,
5 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
6 SLAYTON that defendant GAITHER would send him money via Cash App so
7 that defendant SLAYTON could obtain additional drugs to distribute
8 from a drug source of supply.
9 Overt Act No. 684: On December 30, 2023, defendant GAITHER sent
10 defendant SLAYTON $200 via Cash App.
11 Overt Act No. 685: On December 30, 2023, defendants REED, using
12 coded language in a recorded telephone call, and MUNOZ agreed to
13 commit bank fraud with checks that defendant REED had stolen the
14 night before.
15 Overt Act No. 686: On December 30, 2023, defendant MUNOZ, using
16 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant REED that
17 defendant SCHULTZ’s residence had been “raided” recently.
18 Overt Act No. 687: On December 31, 2023, defendant PREVEDELLO,
19 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
20 SLAYTON that he had just stolen a brand-new Predator 2000 generator,
21 and was willing to trade the stolen generator for methamphetamine or
22 fentanyl.
23 Overt Act No. 688: On December 31, 2023, defendant PREVEDELLO,
24 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, asked defendant
25 SLAYTON to supply him with methamphetamine to sell to customers at a
26 profit.
27 Overt Act No. 689: On December 31, 2023, defendant CHAN, using
28 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
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1 MACDONALD that he was at defendant UNGAMRUNG’s parents’ house and was
2 waiting for defendant UNGAMRUNG’s to deliver money so that they could
3 purchase an additional quantity of drugs to distribute to customers.
4 Overt Act No. 690: On December 31, 2023, defendant MACDONALD,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, asked defendant
6 CHAN to tell defendant UNGAMRUNG to send defendant MACDONALD money
7 via Cash App so that they could obtain drugs to distribute from
8 defendant VITANZA.
9 Overt Act No. 691: On December 31, 2023, defendant HAVILAND
10 sent her Cash App tag to a drug customer in Alabama so that the drug
11 customer could pay defendant HAVILAND to ship methamphetamine in the
12 mail to Alabama.
13 Overt Act No. 692: On January 1, 2024, defendant HARBAND
14 possessed approximately 217.85 grams methamphetamine and 82.89 grams
15 of fentanyl, depicted below, to distribute to drug customers in a
16 hotel room in Chatsworth, California.
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 693: On January 2, 2024, defendant GAITHER sent
2 defendant SLAYTON $400 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 694: On January 2, 2024, defendant HAVILAND,
4 using coded language in a text message exchange, told a drug customer
5 that she was planning to ship methamphetamine via the mail to the
6 customer in Alabama that day.
7 Overt Act No. 695: On January 3, 2024, defendant PREVEDELLO,
8 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
9 SLAYTON that he needed to purchase an ounce of fentanyl and would
10 contact defendant SLAYTON the next day.
11 Overt Act No. 696: On January 3, 2024, defendant W. POLLAY,
12 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
13 SLAYTON that he would send defendant SLAYTON more money so that he
14 could obtain additional drugs to distribute from a drug source of
15 supply.
16 Overt Act No. 697: On January 3, 2024, defendant MEJIA, using
17 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant SLAYTON
18 that she had nearly $3,000 to purchase a quantity of fentanyl.
19 Overt Act No. 698: On January 3, 2024, defendant MEJIA sent
20 defendant SLAYTON $110 via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 699: On January 3, 2024, defendant PICHIE, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
23 conspirator #10 that he would be able to supply an ounce of drugs to
24 a customer.
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 700: On January 3, 2024, defendant HAVILAND
2 obtained approximately 26.1 grams of methamphetamine to ship in the
3 mail to a drug customer in Alabama, depicted in the photo below.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 Overt Act No. 701: On January 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
15 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HILL that
16 the price of an ounce of fentanyl was between $450 and $500.
17 Overt Act No. 702: On January 4, 2024, defendant HILL, using
18 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant SLAYTON
19 that he wanted to obtain an ounce of fentanyl from defendant SLAYTON
20 to sample, and, if defendant HILL was pleased with the quality of the
21 fentanyl, he would be placing an order for additional ounces.
22 Overt Act No. 703: On January 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
23 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
24 fentanyl to defendant THAEMERT.
25 Overt Act No. 704: On January 4, 2024, defendant ROMERO, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
27 conspirator #1 that “Trouble” had not yet been murdered.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 705: On January 4, 2024, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #10, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
3 told defendant WILLS that he had obtained methamphetamine and would
4 supply him with a portion of the drugs.
5 Overt Act No. 706: On January 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
6 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HILL that
7 unindicted co-conspirator #1 had stated that no one was authorized to
8 “tax” defendant HILL’s drug distribution activities.
9 Overt Act No. 707: On January 5, 2024, defendant THAEMERT,
10 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, that he would send
11 defendant SLAYTON money in connection with drug distribution
12 activity.
13 Overt Act No. 708: On January 5, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
14 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant W. POLLAY
15 that he would be obtaining additional drugs to distribute from a drug
16 source of supply.
17 Overt Act No. 709: On January 5, 2024, defendant THAEMERT,
18 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
19 SLAYTON that he would send defendant SLAYTON $400-$500 in drug
20 distribution proceeds via Cash App.
21 Overt Act No. 710: On January 5, 2024, defendant THAEMERT sent
22 defendant SLAYTON $100 via Cash App.
23 Overt Act No. 711: On January 5, 2024, defendant EKLUND sent
24 defendant SLAYTON $500 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 712: On January 5, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MEJIA
27 that he was attempting to obtain both methamphetamine and fentanyl
28 from a drug source of supply.
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1 Overt Act No. 713: On January 5, 2024, defendant HAVILAND,
2 using coded language in a text message exchange, told a drug customer
3 in Alabama that the customer should receive the methamphetamine that
4 defendant HAVILAND had shipped to the customer in the mail by
5 “Monday.”
6 Overt Act No. 714: On January 6, 2024, defendant THAEMERT sent
7 defendant SLAYTON $250 via Cash App.
8 Overt Act No. 715: On January 6, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
9 defendant FRANCIS $520 via Cash App.
10 Overt Act No. 716: On January 8, 2024, defendant EKLUND sent
11 defendant SLAYTON $750 via Cash App.
12 Overt Act No. 717: On January 8, 2024, defendant FRANCIS
13 possessed with intent to distribute approximately 86.23 grams of
14 fentanyl and 31.18 grams of methamphetamine, as well as drug
15 distribution materials, in a hotel room in Agoura Hills, California.
16 Overt Act No. 718: On January 8, 2024, defendant HILL, using
17 coded language in a text message exchange, “a whole bunch” of
18 methamphetamine from defendant SLAYTON.
19 Overt Act No. 719: On January 8, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HILL that
21 he had fentanyl available to distribute but needed to obtain
22 methamphetamine to distribute from a drug source of supply.
23 Overt Act No. 720: On January 8, 2024, defendant HILL, using
24 coded language in a recorded telephone call, requested that defendant
25 SLAYTON deliver fentanyl to defendant HILL.
26 Overt Act No. 721: On January 9, 2024, defendant HAVILAND,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug
28
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1 customer that she had arranged for methamphetamine to be sent to the
2 customer via the mail.
3 Overt Act No. 722: On January 9, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
4 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
5 methamphetamine to defendant W. POLLAY.
6 Overt Act No. 723: On January 9, 2024, defendant MEJIA, using
7 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant SLAYTON
8 that she had enough money to purchase a “whole brick” of drugs from
9 defendant SLAYTON.
10 Overt Act No. 724: On January 9, 2024, defendant SLAYTON, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant MEJIA
12 that defendant FRANCIS had been arrested the night before in
13 connection with drug distribution activity.
14 Overt Act No. 725: On January 10, 2024, defendant DIETZEN,
15 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered a quarter
16 of a pound of drugs from defendant THAEMERT.
17 Overt Act No. 726: On January 10, 2024, using coded language in
18 a recorded telephone call, defendant THAEMERT told defendant DIETZEN
19 that defendant THAEMERT would obtain the drugs from defendant
20 SLAYTON.
21 Overt Act No. 727: On January 10, 2024, defendant THAEMERT,
22 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, asked defendant
23 SLAYTON to supply a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine.
24 Overt Act No. 728: On January 10, 2024, defendant THAEMERT sent
25 defendant SLAYTON $100 via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 729: On January 10, 2024, defendant HAVILAND,
27 using coded language in a text message exchange, agreed to ship an
28
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1 additional quantity of methamphetamine via the mail to a drug
2 customer in Alabama.
3 Overt Act No. 730: On January 10, 2024, defendant HAVILAND
4 obtained approximately 19.1 grams of methamphetamine that she
5 intended to ship to a drug customer in Alabama, depicted in the below
6 photograph.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Overt Act No. 731: On January 11, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO sent
17 defendant SLAYTON $275 via Cash App.
18 Overt Act No. 732: On January 11, 2024, defendant THAEMERT sent
19 defendant SLAYTON $250 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 733: On January 11, 2024, defendant HAVILAND,
21 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug
22 customer in Alabama that she had just shipped a quantity of
23 methamphetamine to the customer via the mail.
24 Overt Act No. 734: On January 11, 2024, defendant SLAYTON,
25 using coded language in a text message exchange, told defendant HILL
26 that he was obtaining additional drugs to distribute from a drug
27 source of supply.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 735: On January 12, 2024, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #1, using coded language in a recorded telephone call,
3 contacted defendant HAVILAND on his new contraband cellular telephone
4 and attempted to communicate with her via Signal.
5 Overt Act No. 736: On January 13, 2024, defendant SLAYTON,
6 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, instructed
7 defendant HILL to charge a drug customer $100 for a gram of drugs
8 that the drug customer had requested.
9 Overt Act No. 737: On January 13, 2024, defendant W. POLLAY,
10 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, asked defendant
11 SLAYTON to supply him with ounces of drugs.
12 Overt Act No. 738: On January 13, 2024, defendant UNGAMRUNG,
13 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered $180 of
14 drugs from defendant MACDONALD.
15 Overt Act No. 739: On January 13, 2024, defendant SLAYTON,
16 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
17 GAITHER that a drug source of supply would be delivering an
18 additional quantity of drugs to defendant SLAYTON later that day.
19 Overt Act No. 740: On January 13, 2024, defendant GAITHER,
20 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, reminded defendant
21 SLAYTON to employ counter-surveillance tactics when driving his
22 vehicle in connection with drug distribution activities.
23 Overt Act No. 741: On January 13, 2024, defendant GAITHER,
24 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
25 SLAYTON that he would meet with him after defendant SLAYTON obtained
26 drugs to distribute from his source of supply.
27 Overt Act No. 742: On January 15, 2024, defendant THAEMERT sent
28 defendant SLAYTON $300 via Cash App.
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1 Overt Act No. 743: On January 15, 2024, defendant UNGAMRUNG,
2 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, ordered an
3 additional quantity of drugs from defendant MACDONALD.
4 Overt Act No. 744: On January 18, 2024, defendant GAITHER sent
5 defendant SLAYTON $200 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 745: On January 18, 2024, defendant CHAN, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
8 MACDONALD that defendant UNGAMRUNG wanted to obtain additional
9 fentanyl from defendant MACDONALD.
10 Overt Act No. 746: On January 19, 2024, defendant MACDONALD,
11 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
12 FREEMAN that he had identified a new drug source of supply that was
13 able to supply drugs to sell at a “cheaper” price.
14 Overt Act No. 747: On January 22, 2024, defendant BAKER, using
15 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to sell a pound
16 of methamphetamine to a drug customer for $1,100.
17 Overt Act No. 748: On January 22, 2024, defendant MACDONALD
18 sent defendant MORENO the following Facebook message: “I just got
19 burned by one of my runners he took off with a half ounce o stuff and
20 never came back remember [defendant CHAN].”
21 Overt Act No. 749: On January 23, 2024, defendant BAKER, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
23 that he had half a pound of methamphetamine available to sell to the
24 drug customer.
25 Overt Act No. 750: On January 23, 2024, defendant BAKER sold
26 approximately 220.1 grams of methamphetamine to a drug customer for
27 $600.
28 Overt Act No. 751: On January 30, 2024, defendant BAKER, using
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1 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to sell a pound
2 of methamphetamine to a drug customer for $1,100.
3 Overt Act No. 752: On January 31, 2024, defendant BAKER sold
4 approximately 443.8 grams of methamphetamine to a drug customer for
5 $1,100.
6 Overt Act No. 753: On January 31, 2024, defendant BAKER told a
7 drug customer that he would sell methamphetamine for $900 a pound if
8 the drug customer bought three pounds of methamphetamine at a time,
9 and $850 a pound if the drug customer bought five pounds of
10 methamphetamine at a time.
11 Overt Act No. 754: On February 12, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
12 defendant GAITHER $250 via Cash App.
13 Overt Act No. 755: On February 13, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
14 defendant GAITHER $200 via Cash App.
15 Overt Act No. 756: On February 14, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
16 defendant GAITHER $250 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 757: On February 16, 2024, defendant MACDONALD,
18 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendants
19 CHAN and UNGAMRUNG that he almost got caught by law enforcement with
20 four ounces of fentanyl that he had hidden in a “laundry detergent
21 box.”
22 Overt Act No. 758: On February 17, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
23 defendant GAITHER $250 via Cash App.
24 Overt Act No. 759: On February 18, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
25 defendant GAITHER $150 via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 760: On February 20, 2024, defendant DIETZEN sent
27 defendant BAKER $180 via Cash App.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 761: On February 22, 2024, defendant CHOTARD sent
2 defendant CHATTERTON the following text message:
3 FYI- you might not want to let [defendant RESNIK] go too many places
with [M.T.] Trouble.... she ain’t nothin but a has been, now lame who
4 has to make a monthly quota to simply stay alive. . . . Her own ppl
make her pay an exact amount to stay breathing. But let the wrong, I
5
mean RIGHT person catch her slipping and ain’t nobody gonna do a
6 muthafuckin thing to help her. She will NEVER be cool with me or the
[Aryan Brotherhood] again. She’s burnt with us.
7
8 Overt Act No. 762: On February 22, 2024, defendant HILL, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, discussed with a drug
10 customer the “shard” of methamphetamine that was in the
11 methamphetamine that defendant HILL had supplied to the customer the
12 previous day.
13 Overt Act No. 763: On February 23, 2024, defendant HILL, using
14 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
15 that he was able to supply half an ounce of fentanyl for $550.
16 Overt Act No. 764: On February 23, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO,
17 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug
18 customer that he had highly potent morphine pills available to sell
19 to drug customers.
20 Overt Act No. 765: On February 25, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO,
21 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug
22 customer that he had heroin available to distribute.
23 Overt Act No. 766: On February 26, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO,
24 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
25 four ounces of methamphetamine to a drug customer.
26 Overt Act No. 767: On February 27, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO,
27 using coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
28 methamphetamine to a drug customer.
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1 Overt Act No. 768: On February 27, 2024, defendant HILL, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
3 conspirator #20 that he had high-quality drugs available to
4 distribute.
5 Overt Act No. 769: On February 27, 2024, defendant HILL, using
6 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
7 that unindicted co-conspirator #20 would deliver drugs to the
8 customer and collect money for the drugs on behalf of defendant HILL.
9 Overt Act No. 770: On March 1, 2024, defendant HILL, using
10 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
11 that he had obtained high-quality drugs to distribute.
12 Overt Act No. 771: On March 2, 2024, defendant MACDONALD, using
13 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendants CHAN
14 and UNGAMRUNG that he was obtaining high-quality drugs from a source
15 of supply.
16 Overt Act No. 772: On March 3, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
17 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug customer
18 that he would contact a different drug source of supply to obtain
19 better quality drugs to distribute.
20 Overt Act No. 773: On March 3, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, instructed a drug source
22 of supply to sell a quarter of an ounce of drugs to a customer.
23 Overt Act No. 774: On March 3, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
24 defendant GAITHER $1,200 via Cash App.
25 Overt Act No. 775: On March 4, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
26 defendant GAITHER $250 via Cash App.
27 Overt Act No. 776: On March 4, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
28 #26, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
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1 defendant HAVILAND that the Mexican Mafia and the AB still maintained
2 a strong alliance, particularly in the federal penitentiary system.
3 Overt Act No. 777: On March 4, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
4 #26, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
5 defendant HAVILAND that unindicted co-conspirator #1 was not going to
6 become a made AB member because other AB members, including
7 unindicted co-conspirator #2, would lose access to and authority over
8 the money that unindicted co-conspirator #1 was generating for the AB
9 through criminal activities including drug distribution.
10 Overt Act No. 778: On March 4, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
11 #26, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
12 defendant HAVILAND that unindicted co-conspirator #1 needed to rely
13 on unindicted co-conspirator #8 to keep him in good standing with the
14 AB and to put unindicted co-conspirator #1 up for AB membership.
15 Overt Act No. 779: On March 4, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
16 #26, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
17 defendant HAVILAND that he had identified an individual who could
18 press counterfeit Xanax pills.
19 Overt Act No. 780: On March 6, 2024, defendant HILL, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply half an
21 ounce of fentanyl to a drug customer.
22 Overt Act No. 781: On March 8, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
23 #40 possessed approximately 5.7 kilograms of fentanyl to distribute
24 to drug customers in a vehicle that he was driving in Englewood
25 Cliffs, New Jersey.
26 Overt Act No. 782: On March 8, 2024, defendant RAMACHANDRAN
27 possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and
28
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1 fentanyl in a vehicle that he was driving in Redondo Beach,
2 California.
3 Overt Act No. 783: On March 10, 2024, defendant ATKINSON
4 possessed 20.61 grams of methamphetamine and 99.76 grams of fentanyl
5 to distribute to drug customers, as well as multiple rounds of
6 ammunition, and $2,800 in cash in Van Nuys, California.
7 Overt Act No. 784: On March 11, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
8 coded language in a recorded telephone call, ordered two ounces of
9 drugs from a drug source of supply.
10 Overt Act No. 785: On March 11, 2024, defendant HAVILAND, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
12 conspirator #37 that she and others were attempting to determine any
13 individuals who had cooperated with federal law enforcement in
14 unindicted co-conspirator #48’s federal prosecution.
15 Overt Act No. 786: On March 12, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
16 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told a drug source of
17 supply that a customer wanted to purchase a pound of methamphetamine.
18 Overt Act No. 787: On March 12, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
19 coded language in a recorded telephone call, offered to sell a pound
20 of methamphetamine to a drug customer for $1,400.
21 Overt Act No. 788: On March 12, 2024, defendant HILL, using
22 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
23 conspirator #21 that he had spoken with unindicted co-conspirator #1
24 and told him that unindicted co-conspirator #21 was not AB “secretary
25 material” so that unindicted co-conspirator #1 would stop calling
26 unindicted co-conspirator #21 as much via his contraband cellular
27 telephone.
28 Overt Act No. 789: On March 13, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
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1 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
2 methamphetamine to a drug customer.
3 Overt Act No. 790: On March 13, 2024, defendant HILL, using
4 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
5 conspirator #25 that unindicted co-conspirator #40, who was one of
6 unindicted co-conspirator #1’s “top guys,” had recently been arrested
7 in connection with drug distribution activity.
8 Overt Act No. 791: On March 13, 2024, defendant HILL, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
10 conspirator #25 that unindicted co-conspirator #1 had “huge, huge
11 problems” because unindicted co-conspirator #40 had been delivering
12 drugs for unindicted co-conspirator #1 when he “disappeared” days
13 ago.
14 Overt Act No. 792: On March 13, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
15 #29, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, warned
16 defendant HAVILAND that the “alphabet guys,” referring to federal law
17 enforcement agents, “got our friend.”
18 Overt Act No. 793: On March 13, 2024, defendant HAVILAND, using
19 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
20 conspirator #26 that unindicted co-conspirator #29 had warned her
21 that the “dude in Georgia” had been arrested, and defendant HAVILAND
22 and unindicted co-conspirator #26 discussed their concerns regarding
23 the text messages that were on his telephone.
24 Overt Act No. 794: On March 13, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
25 #26, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, instructed
26 defendant HAVILAND to let unindicted co-conspirator #1 know that the
27 individual in Georgia had been arrested, and warned defendant
28 HAVILAND not to conduct any internet searches regarding the arrest.
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1 Overt Act No. 795: On March 13, 2024, defendant HAVILAND sent a
2 text message to defendant ROMERO that stated: “Can u come here real
3 quick please[.] It's important.”
4 Overt Act No. 796: On March 13, 2024, defendant HAVILAND
5 instructed defendant ROMERO to transport approximately 4,059.2 grams
6 of fentanyl from defendant HAVILAND’s residence to an alternate
7 location where law enforcement would not locate the drugs.
8 Overt Act No. 797: On March 13, 2024, defendant ROMERO, using
9 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant VITANZA
10 that an individual “in Georgia got busted,” and, as a result, she and
11 defendant HAVILAND needed to store drugs from cartel member “L” at
12 defendant VITANZA’s residence.
13 Overt Act No. 798: On March 13, 2024, defendant ROMERO, using
14 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HAVILAND
15 that she was taking the drugs from “L” to defendant VITANZA’s
16 residence.
17 Overt Act No. 799: On March 13, 2024, defendant VITANZA, using
18 coded language in a recorded telephone call, gave defendant ROMERO
19 the code to a safe that was in his room, and warned defendant ROMERO
20 to be careful when putting the drugs in it as there were already
21 “real” guns in the safe.
22 Overt Act No. 800: On March 13, 2024, defendant ROMERO placed
23 approximately 4,059.2 grams of fentanyl in the safe in defendant
24 VITANZA’s residence, and warned defendants CHOTARD and VITANZA not to
25 get their fingerprints on the drugs that she was putting in the safe.
26 Overt Act No. 801: On March 13, 2024, defendant ROMERO, using
27 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HAVILAND
28 that she had put the drugs from “L” in defendant VITANZA’s safe.
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1 Overt Act No. 802: On March 13, 2024, defendant VITANZA, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant
3 CHATTERTON that law enforcement officers were at his residence, and
4 asked defendant CHATTERTON to drive by the residence and report to
5 defendant VITANZA what he saw.
6 Overt Act No. 803: On March 13, 2024, defendant VITANZA, using
7 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HAVILAND
8 that he needed to speak with her in person because law enforcement
9 officers had executed a search warrant at his residence.
10 Overt Act No. 804: On March 13, 2024, defendant VITANZA, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant HAVILAND
12 that he was sending “Reckless” to his residence “to see if the cops
13 are still there.”
14 Overt Act No. 805: On March 13, 2024, defendant VITANZA
15 possessed a black Ruger LCP Max, .380 caliber firearm, bearing serial
16 number 380963495, and a tan Polymer 80 pistol with an attached laser,
17 and possessed with intent to distribute approximately 49 grams of
18 methamphetamine, in his residence in Los Angeles, California.
19 Overt Act No. 806: On March 14, 2024, defendant CHOTARD, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told an inmate at the
21 California Institution for Women that law enforcement had searched
22 her and defendant VITANZA’s residence and seized a large quantity of
23 fentanyl and discussed changing the number to her telephone.
24 Overt Act No. 807: On March 14, 2024, defendant HILL, using
25 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told unindicted co-
26 conspirator #25 that unindicted co-conspirator #1 was “shitting his
27 pants” due to recent law enforcement activity and was going to change
28 the telephone number of his contraband cellular telephone.
148
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1 Overt Act No. 808: On March 15, 2024, defendant SHAPIRO, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to supply
3 fentanyl to a drug customer.
4 Overt Act No. 809: On March 15, 2024, defendant MACDONALD,
5 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 MORENO that he had identified a drug customer who wanted to purchase
7 four ounces of drugs, and sent defendant MORENO a screenshot of
8 communications related to the upcoming drug transaction.
9 Overt Act No. 810: On March 15, 2024, defendant WILLS, using
10 coded language in a recorded telephone call, warned defendant B.
11 EKELUND that defendant ROMERO and unindicted co-conspirator #40 had
12 both recently been arrested by law enforcement.
13 Overt Act No. 811: On March 18, 2024, defendant MACDONALD,
14 using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
15 MORENO that he had fentanyl available for defendant MORENO and
16 instructed defendant MORENO to obtain fentanyl from him so that he
17 would get a better price for fentanyl to distribute.
18 Overt Act No. 812: On March 18, 2024, defendant MORENO sent
19 defendant MACDONALD a photograph of drugs that he had available to
20 distribute to customers, depicted below.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 813: On March 23, 2024, defendant IBARRA, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, requested to obtain
3 heroin from defendant MUNOZ.
4 Overt Act No. 814: On April 7, 2024, defendant MORENO, using
5 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant
6 MACDONALD that defendant MORENO had approximately 4 grams of “crack
7 chips” available to distribute to customers, including a photograph,
8 depicted below.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 Overt Act No. 815: On April 13, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
19 defendant GAITHER $120 via Cash App.
20 Overt Act No. 816: On April 16, 2024, defendant WILLS, using
21 coded language in a recorded telephone call, warned defendant B.
22 EKELUND that defendant BREWER had recently been arrested, and that
23 law enforcement had questioned her about him, defendant HAVILAND, and
24 unindicted co-conspirator #1.
25 Overt Act No. 817: On April 20, 2024, defendant PAYER, using
26 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant FRANCIS
27 that he was making money while in custody selling drugs that he
28 obtained via a “happy card.”
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1 Overt Act No. 818: On April 22, 2024, defendant FRANCIS, using
2 coded language in a recorded telephone call, agreed to send defendant
3 PAYER heroin to sell to drug customers in a CDCR facility.
4 Overt Act No. 819: On April 22, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
5 defendant GAITHER $375 via Cash App.
6 Overt Act No. 820: On April 26, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
7 #15, using coded language in a recorded telephone call, told
8 defendant PAYER that she and defendant FRANCIS would send drugs to
9 defendant PAYER in a CDCR facility.
10 Overt Act No. 821: On April 27, 2024, defendant FRANCIS, using
11 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PAYER
12 that defendant FRANCIS was pressing “bricks” of fentanyl.
13 Overt Act No. 822: On April 29, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
14 defendant GAITHER $200 via Cash App.
15 Overt Act No. 823: On May 6, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
16 defendant GAITHER $200 via Cash App.
17 Overt Act No. 824: On May 10, 2024, defendant SLAYTON sent
18 defendant GAITHER $350 via Cash App.
19 Overt Act No. 825: On May 21, 2024, defendant FRANCIS, using
20 coded language in a recorded telephone call, told defendant PAYER
21 that unindicted co-conspirator #2 had previously instructed defendant
22 FRANCIS to construct a drone that would be able to carry up to 20
23 pounds of drugs.
24 Overt Act No. 826: On May 28, 2024, defendant W. POLLAY sent
25 defendant SLAYTON $1,800 via Cash App.
26 Overt Act No. 827: On June 4, 2024, defendant W. POLLAY sent
27 defendant SLAYTON $850 via Cash App.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 828: On June 20, 2024, defendant EKLUND possessed
2 fentanyl to distribute to customers, as well as a pay/owe book, a
3 scale, and $640 cash in a vehicle that he was driving in Los Angeles,
4 California.
5 Overt Act No. 829: On June 20, 2024, defendant EKLUND possessed
6 fentanyl to distribute to customers, as well as Nazi paraphernalia
7 and a short-barreled rifle, depicted below, in his residence in Los
8 Angeles, California.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 830: On June 22, 2024, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #28 sent defendant FRANCIS $2,950 via Cash App.
3 Overt Act No. 831: On July 27, 2024, defendant W. POLLAY sent
4 defendant SLAYTON $450 via Cash App.
5 Overt Act No. 832: On July 28, 2024, defendant VITANZA sent
6 defendant POWERS $150 via Cash App.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT THREE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1349]
3 A. OBJECT OF THE CONSPIRACY
4 Beginning on a date unknown and continuing until at least in or
5 around July 2023, in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, within the
6 Central District of California, and elsewhere, defendants SEAN CRAIG
7 GLUCKMAN (“GLUCKMAN”), COLIN NICHOLAS SLACK (“SLACK”), HENISI UTSLER
8 (“UTSLER”), AMANDA JOY RAVIN (“RAVIN”), MARIA ANNA JAMES, aka “Maria
9 Daizy” (“JAMES”), knowingly conspired with each other and with others
10 known and unknown to the Grand Jury to commit Bank Fraud, in
11 violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1344(1), (2).
12 B. THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
13 1. In or about March 2020, Congress passed and the President
14 signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES
15 Act”).
16 2. One form of assistance provided by the CARES Act was the
17 authorization of United States taxpayer funds in forgivable loans to
18 small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through
19 a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). PPP
20 was implemented by the SBA with support from the Department of the
21 Treasury. The program provided small businesses with funds to pay up
22 to eight weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds could also
23 be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Self-
24 employed individuals were able to apply for and obtain PPP loans.
25 Applicants who were self-employed individuals must have been working
26 as a self-employed individual on February 15, 2020.
27 3. The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) delegated
28 authority to third-party lenders including Benworth Capital,
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1 Fountainhead SBF LLC, Harvest Small Business LLC, and Prestamos CDFI,
2 LLC, to underwrite and approve PPP loans. If a PPP loan application
3 was approved, the participating lender would fund the PPP loan using
4 its own monies, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
5 4. In such a PPP loan application, the applicant was required
6 to affirm, among other things that:
7 a. The applicant was not presently incarcerated or, for
8 any felony, subject to an indictment, criminal information,
9 arraignment, or other means by which formal criminal charges are
10 brought in any jurisdiction.
11 b. The applicant had not, within the past five years,
12 been convicted, pleaded guilty, pleaded nolo contendere, or commenced
13 any form of parole or probation (including probation before judgment)
14 for any felony involving fraud, bribery, embezzlement, or a false
15 statement in a loan application or an application for federal
16 financial assistance a qualifying business.
17 c. The applicant was in operation on February 15, 2020,
18 had not permanently closed, and was either an eligible self-employed
19 individual, an independent contractor, or a sole proprietorship with
20 no employees.
21 5. The authorized representative of the applicant was also
22 required to certify that “the information provided in this application
23 and the information provided in all supporting documents and forms is
24 true and accurate in material respects,” and “I understand that if the
25 funds are knowingly used for unauthorized purposes, the federal
26 government may hold me legally liable, such as for charges of fraud.”
27
28
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1 C. MEANS BY WHICH THE OBJECT OF THE CONSPIRACY WAS TO BE
2 ACCOMPLISHED
3 The object of the conspiracy was to be accomplished, in
4 substance, as follows:
5 1. Defendants GLUCKMAN and JAMES, as well as others known and
6 unknown to the Grand Jury, would falsify information regarding their
7 and their co-conspirators’ employment, income, and other personal
8 identifying information (“PII”) to be used in connection with
9 fraudulent PPP loan applications.
10 2. Defendant JAMES would generate false telephone numbers to
11 be used in connection with fraudulent PPP loan applications.
12 3. Defendant GLUCKMAN would provide guidance to others,
13 including defendants SLACK, UTSLER, JAMES, unindicted co-conspirator
14 #2, unindicted co-conspirator #16, and unindicted co-conspirator #18
15 regarding how to complete their fraudulent PPP loan applications.
16 4. Defendants GLUCKMAN, SLACK, UTSLER, RAVIN, JAMES,
17 unindicted co-conspirator #2, unindicted co-conspirator #16, and
18 unindicted co-conspirator #18 would submit fraudulent PPP loan
19 applications.
20 5. Defendants GLUCKMAN and JAMES would sign fraudulent PPP
21 loan applications on behalf of individuals incarcerated in CDCR
22 facilities and would submit those fraudulent PPP loan applications on
23 behalf of incarcerated co-conspirators.
24 6. Defendants GLUCKMAN and JAMES would collect a portion of
25 the proceeds from fraudulently obtained PPP loans from co-conspirators
26 as payment for their assistance.
27
28
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1 D. OVERT ACTS
2 Overt Act No. 1: On March 25, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
3 #16, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent a
4 picture of himself and unindicted co-conspirator #2 in CDCR custody
5 to defendant GLUCKMAN to demonstrate that defendant GLUCKMAN was
6 communicating via Facebook with unindicted co-conspirator #16 and
7 unindicted co-conspirator #2, who was serving a life-with-parole
8 sentence for a 2003 second-degree murder conviction.
9 Overt Act No. 2: On March 31, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
10 #43 submitted a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using
11 Gross Income that falsely stated that he was a self-employed
12 “artist/writer” with a gross income of $249,820.
13 Overt Act No. 3: On April 5, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN
14 submitted a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using
15 Gross Income that falsely stated that he was a self-employed
16 “artist/writer” with a gross income of $249,820.
17 Overt Act No. 4: On April 6, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
18 #43 obtained a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833.
19 Overt Act No. 5: On April 12, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN
20 obtained a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833.
21 Overt Act No. 6: On April 22, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN and
22 defendant JAMES, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange,
23 agreed to work together to submit multiple fraudulent PPP loan
24 applications and split any loan money that they received.
25 Overt Act No. 7: On April 22, 2021, defendant JAMES, using
26 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant GLUCKMAN
27 that she would generate false telephone numbers to use in connection
28 with fraudulent PPP loan applications.
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1 Overt Act No. 8: On April 22, 2021, defendant UTSLER
2 submitted a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using
3 Gross Income that falsely stated that she was a self-employed “screen
4 writer” with a gross income of $180,498.02.
5 Overt Act No. 9: On April 22, 2021, defendant SLACK submitted
6 a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using Gross Income
7 that falsely stated that he was a self-employed “screen writer” with a
8 gross income of $180,498.02, and used identical income and expense
9 information that defendant UTSLER used on her fraudulent application.
10 Overt Act No. 10: On April 23, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, in a
11 Facebook message exchange, bragged to Facebook user J.L. that he was
12 “making $ off [of unemployment benefits] . . . ppp loans.”
13 Overt Act No. 11: On April 23, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
14 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
15 conspirator #17 that he was waiting to see if a PPP loan “funded”
16 before he submitted additional fraudulent PPP loan applications.
17 Overt Act No. 12: On April 24, 2021, defendant UTSLER, using
18 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, reminded defendant
19 SLACK to sign documents in connection with a fraudulent PPP loan
20 application.
21 Overt Act No. 13: On April 24, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
22 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent a photograph of
23 unindicted co-conspirator #16’s driver’s license as well as unindicted
24 co-conspirator #2’s social security number to defendant JAMES to use
25 in connection with fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of
26 unindicted co-conspirator #16 and unindicted co-conspirator #2 while
27 they were in CDCR custody.
28
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1 Overt Act No. 14: On April 24, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
2 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, sent unindicted co-
3 conspirator #18’s PII to defendant JAMES to use in connection with
4 fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of unindicted co-
5 conspirator #18.
6 Overt Act No. 15: On April 24, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, communicated with
8 unindicted co-conspirator #2 over a contraband cellular telephone that
9 unindicted co-conspirator #2 possessed in CDCR custody and let
10 unindicted co-conspirator #2 know that unindicted co-conspirator #16’s
11 fraudulent PPP loan application had been successfully submitted.
12 Overt Act No. 16: On April 24, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
13 #2, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
14 defendant GLUCKMAN that he was “panicking” because he received a
15 prompt to upload a photo identification in connection with his
16 fraudulent PPP loan application and reminded defendant GLUCKMAN that
17 he had “stabbed ppl with less stress.”
18 Overt Act No. 17: On April 25, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
19 #2, using coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told
20 defendant GLUCKMAN that his fraudulent PPP loan had been approved.
21 Overt Act No. 18: On April 26, 2021, defendant SLACK received
22 a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833 from a third-party lender.
23 Overt Act No. 19: On April 26, 2021, defendant JAMES signed
24 and submitted a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using
25 Gross Income on unindicted co-conspirator #16’s behalf that falsely
26 stated that unindicted co-conspirator #16 was a self-employed
27 individual running a halfway house in Simi Valley, California and
28
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1 generating a gross income of $122,756, when, in fact, unindicted co-
2 conspirator #16 was incarcerated in a CDCR facility.
3 Overt Act No. 20: On April 26, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, reminded defendant
5 JAMES that they had fraudulent PPP loan applications to complete.
6 Overt Act No. 21: On April 27, 2021, defendant JAMES, using
7 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant GLUCKMAN
8 that she had signed a fraudulent PPP loan application for unindicted
9 co-conspirator #16, and sent defendant GLUCKMAN photographs of the
10 completed fraudulent application.
11 Overt Act No. 22: On April 27, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
12 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
13 conspirator #17 that he could submit fraudulent PPP loan applications
14 using a driver’s license, social security number, and bank account
15 number, and told unindicted co-conspirator #17 that defendant GLUCKMAN
16 could generate all those pieces of information on unindicted co-
17 conspirator #17’s behalf if needed.
18 Overt Act No. 23: On April 27, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
19 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told unindicted co-
20 conspirator #17 that his “model” for generating fraudulent PPP loan
21 applications was $41,666 and that “U get 2npayments of [$20,000].”
22 Overt Act No. 24: On April 29, 2021, defendant UTSLER received
23 a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833 from a third-party lender.
24 Overt Act No. 25: On April 30, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
25 #16 obtained a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833 from a third-party
26 lender.
27 Overt Act No. 26: On May 3, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
28 #18 submitted a Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using
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1 Gross Income that falsely stated that he was a self-employed “food
2 service” worker with a gross income of $204,899.
3 Overt Act No. 27: On May 4, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN, using
4 coded language in a Facebook message exchange, told defendant JAMES
5 that “[t]here people in prison [that needed help with fraudulent PPP
6 loan applications] and they have [access to]. A [contraband] cell
7 ph[o]ne for 9!Mor min.”
8 Overt Act No. 28: On May 4, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator #2
9 sent defendant GLUCKMAN the following Facebook message:
10 Hey its waylon I got the [contraband cellular] phone all night hit me
back asap let’s get some stuff done please okay.
11
12 Overt Act No. 29: On May 4, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN received
13 the following Facebook message from defendant Smith: “hey bro can u
14 send me a lil cheat sheet on how to do the ppp loan plz bro.”
15 Overt Act No. 30: On May 5, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN sent
16 defendant JAMES the following photograph via Facebook Messenger:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 Overt Act No. 31: On May 16, 2021, defendant JAMES sent
17 defendant GLUCKMAN the following photograph via Facebook Messenger:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 Overt Act No. 32: On May 16, 2021, defendant UTSLER sent
25 defendant GLUCKMAN the following Facebook message:
26 Tell me why that stupid womply is saying for my second draw that I
have requested to cancel my application???
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 33: On May 16, 2021, defendant RAVIN submitted a
2 Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers Using Gross Income
3 that falsely stated that she was a self-employed and working in
4 “catering” with a gross income of $184,254.
5 Overt Act No. 34: On May 17, 2021, defendant JAMES obtained a
6 PPP loan in the amount of $20,832 from a third-party lender.
7 Overt Act No. 35: On May 20, 2021, defendant RAVIN obtained a
8 PPP loan in the amount of $20,833 from a third-party lender.
9 Overt Act No. 36: On May 25, 2021, defendant SLACK sent
10 defendant GLUCKMAN the following photographs via Facebook Messenger:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 Overt Act No. 37: On May 31, 2021, unindicted co-conspirator
2 #18 obtained a PPP loan in the amount of $20,833 from a third-party
3 lender.
4 Overt Act No. 38: On June 15, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN sent
5 defendant SLACK the following photograph via Facebook Messenger:
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 Overt Act No. 39: On June 15, 2021, defendant GLUCKMAN sent
26 defendant SLACK the following Facebook message: “Your shits been in
27 there bank approved since April.”
28
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1 Overt Act No. 40: On September 18, 2021, defendant UTSLER
2 applied to request that the SBA forgive the $20,833 PPP loan that she
3 fraudulently obtained and falsely certified that she complied with all
4 requirements in the Paycheck Protection Program Rules.
5 Overt Act No. 41: On November 23, 2021, defendant UTSLER
6 obtained an SBA forgiveness payment for the $20,833 PPP loan that she
7 fraudulently obtained.
8 Overt Act No. 42: On March 23, 2022, defendant RAVIN applied
9 to request that the SBA forgive the $20,833 PPP loan that she
10 fraudulently obtained and falsely certified that she complied with all
11 requirements in the Paycheck Protection Program Rules.
12 Overt Act No. 43: On March 30, 2022, defendant RAVIN obtained
13 an SBA forgiveness payment for the $20,833 PPP loan that defendant
14 UTSLER fraudulently obtained.
15 Overt Act No. 44: Between December 2022 and July 2023,
16 defendant SLACK received and ignored multiple notices from a third-
17 party lender to re-pay his $20,833 PPP loan.
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNTS FOUR THROUGH TEN
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1344(2), 2(a)]
3 Beginning on a date unknown to the Grand Jury, and continuing
4 until in or around January 2021, in Los Angeles County, within the
5 Central District of California, and elsewhere, defendant SEAN CRAIG
6 GLUCKMAN (“GLUCKMAN”), together with others known and unknown to the
7 Grand Jury, knowingly and with intent to defraud, devised,
8 participated in, and executed a scheme to obtain moneys, funds,
9 credits, assets, and other property owned by and in the custody and
10 control of federally-insured financial institutions by means of
11 material false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and
12 promises.
13 A. CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UNEMPLOYMENT
14 INSURANCE
15 1. The California Employment Development Department (“EDD”)
16 administered the unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits program for
17 the State of California.
18 2. On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States
19 declared COVID-19 an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
20 Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. As a result, Congress passed the
21 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”),
22 which President Donald J. Trump signed into law on March 27, 2020.
23 The CARES Act provided over $2 trillion in economic relief protections
24 to the American people from the public health and economic impacts of
25 COVID-19.
26 3. Prior to the enactment of the CARES Act, to be eligible for
27 UI benefits administered by EDD, a person had to have been employed
28 and worked in California and received at least a certain amount of
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1 wages from an employer in the 18 months preceding his/her UI benefits
2 claim. Because of this requirement, self-employed workers,
3 independent contractors, and employees with insufficient earnings were
4 not eligible to receive regular UI benefits.
5 4. The CARES Act established a new program — Pandemic
6 Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) — to provide UI benefits during the
7 COVID-19 pandemic to people who did not qualify for regular UI
8 benefits, including business owners, self-employed workers,
9 independent contractors, and those with a limited work history, who
10 were out of business or had significantly reduced their services as a
11 direct result of the pandemic. UI benefits provided under the PUA
12 program were sometimes referred to as PUA benefits.
13 5. Under the PUA provisions of the CARES Act, a person who was
14 a business owner, self-employed worker, independent contractor, or gig
15 worker could qualify for PUA benefits administered by EDD if he/she
16 previously performed such work in California and was unemployed,
17 partially unemployed, unable to work, or unavailable to work due to a
18 COVID-19-related reason.
19 6. Persons applying for PUA benefits did not need to submit
20 any supporting documents to EDD with their applications. Claimants
21 reported their total income for the 2019 calendar year on the
22 application. The stated income was used to calculate the benefits to
23 be paid, which were at least $167 per week.
24 7. A PUA benefits claimant was required to answer various
25 questions on his/her application to establish his/her eligibility for
26 the benefits. The claimant was required to provide his/her name,
27 Social Security Number, and mailing address. The claimant was also
28
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1 required to identify a qualifying occupational status and COVID-19
2 related reason for being out of work.
3 8. After it approved an application for UI benefits, including
4 an application submitted pursuant to the PUA program, the EDD would
5 create a debit account (“EDD debit account”) with Bank of America. An
6 Electronic Bill Payment (“EBP”) debit card linked to the EDD debit
7 account would then be mailed via the United States Postal Service from
8 Bank of America to the claimant at the address the claimant provided
9 as his/her mailing address on his/her UI benefits application.
10 9. The EDD would deposit UI benefits, including pandemic
11 benefits, to the EDD debit account. The debit card could then be used
12 to withdraw the benefits from the EDD debit account in cash, using
13 automated teller machines (“ATMs”), including ATMs that Bank of
14 America operated, and to pay for purchases.
15 10. Bank of America was a financial institution that was
16 insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
17 11. Defendant GLUCKMAN was a resident of Los Angeles County,
18 California.
19 B. THE FRAUDULENT SCHEME
20 12. The fraudulent scheme operated and was carried out, in
21 substance, in the following manner:
22 a. Defendant GLUCKMAN or another individual would submit
23 a fraudulent UI application to EDD using a victim’s name and personal
24 identifying information (“PII”). The PII sometimes accurately
25 reflected that of the victim and was sometimes incorrect.
26 b. Defendant GLUCKMAN would obtain a Bank of America
27 debit card with access to EDD UI funds.
28
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1 13. Defendant GLUCKMAN would use the Bank of America debit card
2 to withdraw UI funds from an automated teller machine (“ATM”) without
3 the victim’s permission. In doing so, defendant GLUCKMAN falsely
4 represented to Bank of America that he had the victim’s authority to
5 use the ATM card and concealed from Bank of America that he was not
6 authorized to use the ATM card.
7 C. EXECUTION OF THE SCHEME
8 14. On or about the following dates, in Los Angeles and
9 Riverside Counties, within the Central District of California, and
10 elsewhere, defendant GLUCKMAN, together with others known and unknown
11 to the Grand Jury, aiding and abetting each other, committed and
12 willfully caused others to commit the following acts, each of which
13 constituted an execution of the fraudulent scheme:
14 COUNT DATE ACT
15 FOUR 8/20/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
2603 issued in the name of W.S., at
16 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Tarzana,
17 California.
18 FIVE 9/06/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
6488 issued in the name of D.L., at
19 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Los
20 Angeles, California.
21 SIX 9/6/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
9505 issued in the name of C.J., at
22 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Los
23 Angeles, California.
24 SEVEN 9/6/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
0458 issued in the name of W.D., at
25 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Los
26 Angeles, California.
27
28
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1 COUNT DATE ACT
2 EIGHT 9/6/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
8864 issued in the name of Dav.L.,
3 at Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Los
4 Angeles, California.
5 NINE 9/6/2020 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
7312 issued in the name of S.B., at
6 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in Los
7 Angeles, California.
8 TEN 1/21/2021 Use of an EDD debit card ending in
2557 issued in the name of P.H., at
9 Bank of America to make a
withdrawal of $1,000, in
10 Northridge, California.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
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1 COUNTS ELEVEN THROUGH TWELVE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1)]
3 Paragraphs 1 through 13 of Counts Four through Ten of this
4 Indictment are re-alleged and incorporated by reference as if fully
5 set forth herein.
6 On or about the dates set forth below, in Los Angeles County,
7 within the Central District of California, and elsewhere, defendant
8 GLUCKMAN, as set forth below, knowingly transferred, possessed, and
9 used, and willfully caused to be transferred, possessed, and used,
10 without lawful authority, means of identification that defendant knew
11 belonged to other persons, namely, the names and Bank of America EDD
12 debit account numbers of the individuals identified by initial below,
13 during and in relation to the felony violations charged in the counts
14 of this Indictment identified below:
15 COUNT DATE OTHER FELONY VIOLATION
PERSON(S)
16 ELEVEN 8/20/2020 W.S. 18 U.S.C. § 1344(a) as
charged in Count Four ___
17
TWELVE 9/06/2020 D.L. 18 U.S.C. § 1344(a) as
18 charged in Count Five ___
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT THIRTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about September 11, 2021, in Los Angeles County, within
4 the Central District of California, defendant CIARA JACOBS, also
5 known as “Simba Jay,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with
6 intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled
7 substance, a photo of which is below.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT FOURTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about January 10, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant WALTER HUBERT LEIMERT, also
5 known as “Creepz,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent
6 to distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately 109.24 grams,
7 of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
8 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT FIFTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about January 10, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant WALTER HUBERT LEIMERT, also
5 known as “Creepz,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent
6 to distribute heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled
7 substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT SIXTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about February 3, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant ALBERT ETHAN EKLUND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 137.8 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a
8 Schedule II controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT SEVENTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about February 3, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant ALBERT ETHAN EKLUND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute
6 heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT EIGHTEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about March 23, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DANIEL YACOUB, also known
5 as “Danny Boy,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 COUNT NINETEEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about March 23, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DANIEL YACOUB, also known
5 as “Danny Boy,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
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1 COUNT TWENTY
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about March 23, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DANIEL YACOUB, also known
5 as “Danny Boy,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide
7 (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
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#:180
1 COUNT TWENTY-ONE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about May 24, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant ADAM L. RODNEY knowingly
5 and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 50
6 grams, that is, approximately 83.02 grams, of methamphetamine, a
7 Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
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180
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 181 of 254 Page ID
#:181
1 COUNT TWENTY-TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi)]
3 On or about May 24, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant ADAM L. RODNEY knowingly
5 and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 400
6 grams, that is, approximately 1,165.23 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
8 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
9 controlled substance.
10
11
12
13
14
15
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21
22
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181
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 182 of 254 Page ID
#:182
1 COUNT TWENTY-THREE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about February 9, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately 1,999 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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17
18
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182
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 183 of 254 Page ID
#:183
1 COUNT TWENTY-FOUR
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi)]
3 On or about February 9, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute at least 400 grams, that is, approximately 743.6 grams, of
7 a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-
8 [1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a
9 Schedule II controlled substance.
10
11
12
13
14
15
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18
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21
22
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183
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 184 of 254 Page ID
#:184
1 COUNT TWENTY-FIVE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about February 9, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute cocaine base, a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled
7 substance.
8
9
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13
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184
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 185 of 254 Page ID
#:185
1 COUNT TWENTY-SIX
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about February 21, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately 172 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
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12
13
14
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185
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 186 of 254 Page ID
#:186
1 COUNT TWENTY-SEVEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vi)]
3 On or about February 21, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute at least 40 grams, that is, approximately 304 grams, of a
7 mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-
8 [1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a
9 Schedule II controlled substance.
10
11
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186
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 187 of 254 Page ID
#:187
1 COUNT TWENTY-EIGHT
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about February 21, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN MULVIHILL, also known
5 as “Mo,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance.
7
8
9
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187
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 188 of 254 Page ID
#:188
1 COUNT TWENTY-NINE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about February 27, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 195.6 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
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188
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 189 of 254 Page ID
#:189
1 COUNT THIRTY
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about February 27, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute
6 heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance.
7
8
9
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11
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189
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 190 of 254 Page ID
#:190
1 COUNT THIRTY-ONE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about March 27, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 214.1 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
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190
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 191 of 254 Page ID
#:191
1 COUNT THIRTY-TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about March 27, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute
6 heroin, a Schedule II controlled substance.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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17
18
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21
22
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191
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 192 of 254 Page ID
#:192
1 COUNT THIRTY-THREE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about April 13, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least one kilogram, that is, approximately 1,006.5 grams, of a
7 mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a
8 Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance,
9
10
11
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13
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192
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 193 of 254 Page ID
#:193
1 COUNT THIRTY-FOUR
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about April 13, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 3,726 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
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15
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193
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 194 of 254 Page ID
#:194
1 COUNT THIRTY-FIVE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi)]
3 On or about April 13, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 400 grams, that is, approximately 3,480.16 grams, of a mixture
7 and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
8 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
9 controlled substance.
10
11
12
13
14
15
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21
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194
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 195 of 254 Page ID
#:195
1 COUNT THIRTY-SIX
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about June 23, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM,
5 also known as (“aka”) “DJ,” aka “Monster,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 50 grams,
7 that is, approximately 336 grams, of methamphetamine, a Schedule II
8 controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
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195
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 196 of 254 Page ID
#:196
1 COUNT THIRTY-SEVEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi)]
3 On or about June 23, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM,
5 also known as (“aka”) “DJ,” aka “Monster,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 400 grams,
7 that is, approximately 953.5 grams, of a mixture and substance
8 containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-
9 piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II controlled
10 substance.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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20
21
22
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28
196
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 197 of 254 Page ID
#:197
1 COUNT THIRTY-EIGHT
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 53.90 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
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21
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197
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 198 of 254 Page ID
#:198
1 COUNT THIRTY-NINE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(i)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 100 grams, that is, approximately 185.3 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I
8 narcotic drug controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
14
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21
22
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28
198
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 199 of 254 Page ID
#:199
1 COUNT FORTY
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally distributed N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
6 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
7 controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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199
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 200 of 254 Page ID
#:200
1 COUNT FORTY-ONE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(2)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute
6 alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
7
8
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200
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 201 of 254 Page ID
#:201
1 COUNT FORTY-TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C)]
3 On or about August 17, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KENNETH RICHARD MACDONALD,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Misfit,” aka “Kenny Mac,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
7 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
8 controlled substance, pictured below.
9
10
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201
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 202 of 254 Page ID
#:202
1 COUNT FORTY-THREE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii); 18 U.S.C. § 2(a)]
3 On or about September 26, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within
4 the Central District of California, defendant BRIAN GLENN EKELUND,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Rascal,” GUY MANNING WILLS, aka “FedEx,”
6 unindicted co-conspirator #35, and unindicted co-conspirator #36,
7 aiding and abetting each other, knowingly and intentionally possessed
8 with intent to distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately
9 3,122.8 grams, of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled
10 substance.
11
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13
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202
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 203 of 254 Page ID
#:203
1 COUNT FORTY-FOUR
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(i); 18 U.S.C. § 2(a)]
3 On or about September 26, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within
4 the Central District of California, defendant BRIAN GLENN EKELUND,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Rascal,” GUY MANNING WILLS, aka “FedEx,”
6 unindicted co-conspirator #35, and unindicted co-conspirator #36,
7 aiding and abetting each other, knowingly and intentionally possessed
8 with intent to distribute at least 100 grams, that is, approximately
9 619.7 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable
10 amount of heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug controlled substance.
11
12
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203
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 204 of 254 Page ID
#:204
1 COUNT FORTY-FIVE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(ii); 18 U.S.C. § 2(a)]
3 On or about September 26, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within
4 the Central District of California, defendant BRIAN GLENN EKELUND,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Rascal,” GUY MANNING WILLS, aka “FedEx,”
6 unindicted co-conspirator #35, and unindicted co-conspirator #36,
7 aiding and abetting each other, knowingly and intentionally possessed
8 with intent to distribute at least 500 grams, that is, approximately
9 552.6 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable
10 amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
11
12
13
14
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204
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 205 of 254 Page ID
#:205
1 COUNT FORTY-SIX
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAGET GARY EKELUND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 135.3 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
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205
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 206 of 254 Page ID
#:206
1 COUNT FORTY-SEVEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi)]
3 On or about October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAGET GARY EKELUND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 400 grams, that is, approximately 982.2 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
8 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
9 controlled substance.
10
11
12
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206
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 207 of 254 Page ID
#:207
1 COUNT FORTY-EIGHT
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about November 15, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant MICHAEL ANTHONY CHATTERTON,
5 also known as “Reckless,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with
6 intent to distribute at least five grams, that is, approximately
7 27.96 grams, of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance,
8 depicted in the photo below.
9
10
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207
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 208 of 254 Page ID
#:208
1 COUNT FORTY-NINE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about November 28, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant MICHAEL ANTHONY CHATTERTON,
5 also known as “Reckless,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with
6 intent to distribute at least five grams, that is, approximately
7 10.26 grams, of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
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208
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 209 of 254 Page ID
#:209
1 COUNT FIFTY
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about January 1, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RYAN SCOTT HARBAND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 217.85 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a
8 Schedule II controlled substance.
9
10
11
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209
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 210 of 254 Page ID
#:210
1 COUNT FIFTY-ONE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vi)]
3 On or about January 1, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RYAN SCOTT HARBAND
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 40 grams, that is, approximately 82.89 grams, of a mixture and
7 substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-
8 phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II
9 controlled substance.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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20
21
22
23
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210
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 211 of 254 Page ID
#:211
1 COUNT FIFTY-TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about January 3, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant CLAIRE PATRICIA HAVILAND,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Trish,” aka “SFV Mama,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least five
7 grams, that is, approximately 26.1 grams, of methamphetamine, a
8 Schedule II controlled substance, depicted in the photo below.
9
10
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211
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 212 of 254 Page ID
#:212
1 COUNT FIFTY-THREE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about January 8, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN D. FRANCIS knowingly
5 and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least five
6 grams, that is, approximately 31.18 grams, of methamphetamine, a
7 Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
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21
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212
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 213 of 254 Page ID
#:213
1 COUNT FIFTY-FOUR
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vi)]
3 On or about January 8, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant KEVIN D. FRANCIS knowingly
5 and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 40
6 grams, that is, approximately 86.23 grams, of a mixture and substance
7 containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-
8 piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II controlled
9 substance.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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21
22
23
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28
213
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 214 of 254 Page ID
#:214
1 COUNT FIFTY-FIVE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about January 10, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant CLAIRE PATRICIA HAVILAND,
5 also known as (“aka”) “Trish,” aka “SFV Mama,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least five
7 grams, that is, approximately 19.1 grams, of methamphetamine, a
8 Schedule II controlled substance, depicted in the photo below.
9
10
11
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21
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214
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 215 of 254 Page ID
#:215
1 COUNT FIFTY-SIX
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about January 31, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant ROBERT ANTHONY BAKER
5 knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at
6 least 50 grams, that is, approximately 443.8 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
215
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 216 of 254 Page ID
#:216
1 COUNT FIFTY-SEVEN
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about March 10, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAUL ERIC ATKINSON, also
5 known as (“aka”) “Pork Chop,” aka “Chops,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least five
7 grams, that is, approximately 20.61 grams, of methamphetamine, a
8 Schedule II controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
216
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 217 of 254 Page ID
#:217
1 COUNT FIFTY-EIGHT
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vi)]
3 On or about March 10, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAUL ERIC ATKINSON, also
5 known as (“aka”) “Pork Chop,” aka “Chops,” knowingly and
6 intentionally possessed with intent to distribute at least 40 grams,
7 that is, approximately 99.76 grams, of a mixture and substance
8 containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-
9 piperidinyl] propanamide (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II controlled
10 substance.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
217
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 218 of 254 Page ID
#:218
1 COUNT FIFTY-NINE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)]
3 On or about March 18, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant JOHN MICHAEL REED, also
5 known as “Johnny Boi,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with
6 intent to distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately 86.13
7 grams, of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of
8 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, depicted in the
9 photo below.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
218
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 219 of 254 Page ID
#:219
1 COUNT SIXTY
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(vi); 18 U.S.C. § 2(a)]
3 On or about March 13, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendants MICHAEL VITANZA, also
5 known as (“aka”) “Suspect,” CLAIRE PATRICIA HAVILAND, aka “Trish,”
6 aka “SFV Mama,” CHARISSA MARIE CHOTARD, aka “Brat,” and JULIE ANN
7 ROMERO, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, each aiding
8 and abetting the other, knowingly and intentionally possessed with
9 intent to distribute at least 400 grams, that is, approximately
10 4,059.2 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable
11 amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide
12 (“fentanyl”), a Schedule II controlled substance.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
219
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 220 of 254 Page ID
#:220
1 COUNT SIXTY-ONE
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about March 13, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant MICHAEL VITANZA, also known
5 as “Suspect,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to
6 distribute at least five grams, that is, approximately 49.0 grams, of
7 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
220
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 221 of 254 Page ID
#:221
1 COUNT SIXTY-TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(viii)]
3 On or about March 18, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant JOHN MICHAEL REED, also
5 known as “Johnny Boi,” knowingly and intentionally possessed with
6 intent to distribute at least 50 grams, that is, approximately 86.13
7 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of
8 methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
221
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 222 of 254 Page ID
#:222
1 COUNT SIXTY-THREE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)]
3 On or about June 23, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM,
5 also known as (“aka”) “DJ,” aka “Monster,” (“CUNNINGHAM”) knowingly
6 possessed the following firearms, in and affecting interstate and
7 foreign commerce:
8 1. a Sterling Arms .25 caliber pistol, bearing serial number
9 058339;
10 2. an HS Produkt, Hellcat, 9mm pistol, bearing serial number
11 BB540124;
12 3. a Kel-Tec, PF-9, 9mm pistol, bearing serial number RVK24;
13 4. a Kimber, Stainless Pro Carry II, .45 caliber pistol,
14 bearing serial number KR292302;
15 5. a Sturm, Ruger & Co., GP100, .357 revolver, bearing serial
16 number 1742248;
17 6. a Beretta, 950, .22 caliber pistol, bearing serial number
18 87529CC;
19 7. an A.A. Arms, AP9, 9mm pistol, bearing an obliterated
20 serial number;
21 8. a High Standard, Model 30, .22 caliber rifle, bearing no
22 serial number; and
23 9. a Mauser, P08, 9mm pistol, bearing no serial number.
24 Defendant CUNNINGHAM possessed such firearms knowing that he had
25 previously been convicted of at least one of the following felony
26 crimes, each punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one
27 year:
28
222
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 223 of 254 Page ID
#:223
1 1. Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, in violation
2 of California Health and Safety Code Section 11378, in the Superior
3 Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number
4 LA060537, on or about December 12, 2008;
5 2. Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, in violation of
6 California Penal Code Section 29800(a)(1), in the Superior Court for
7 the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number LA060537,
8 on or about December 12, 2008;
9 3. Possession of Methamphetamine, in violation of California
10 Health and Safety Code Section 11377(a), in the Superior Court for the
11 State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number LA066458, on
12 or about May 20, 2011;
13 4. Possession of Methamphetamine, in violation of California
14 Health and Safety Code Section 11377(a), in the Superior Court for the
15 State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number PA074960, on
16 or about May 6, 2013;
17 5. Possession of a Controlled Substance, in violation of
18 California Health and Safety Code Section 11350(a), in the Superior
19 Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number
20 LA073726, on or about June 4, 2013;
21 6. Possession of Methamphetamine, in violation of California
22 Health and Safety Code Section 11377(a), in the Superior Court for the
23 State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number LA073659, on
24 or about June 4, 2013; and
25 7. Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of
26 California Penal Code Section 29800(a)(1), in the Superior Court for
27 the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number BA444115,
28 on or about March 24, 2016.
223
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 224 of 254 Page ID
#:224
1 COUNT SIXTY-FOUR
2 [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 (“RILEY”) knowingly possessed the following firearm, in and affecting
6 interstate and foreign commerce: a Taurus, Model PT-38S, .380 caliber
7 semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number LBM31379.
8 Defendant RILEY possessed such firearms knowing that he had
9 previously been convicted of at least one of the following felony
10 crimes, each punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one
11 year:
12 1. Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, in violation of
13 California Penal Code Section 12021(A)(1), in the Superior Court for
14 the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number LA067081,
15 on or about March 21, 2011;
16 2. Transportation or Sale of Methamphetamine, in violation of
17 California Health and Safety Code Section 11379(A)), in the Superior
18 Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number
19 LA067081, on or about March 21, 2011;
20 3. Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale, in violation of
21 California Health and Safety Code Section 11378, in the Superior Court
22 for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, case number
23 LA067071, on or about March 21, 2011.
24
25
26
27
28
224
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 225 of 254 Page ID
#:225
1 COUNT SIXTY-FIVE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)]
3 On or about October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant SCOTT JOSHUA VENNUM
5 (“VENNUM”) knowingly possessed the following firearms, in and
6 affecting interstate and foreign commerce:
7 1. a Glock model 22, 40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol,
8 bearing serial number AAFF852; and
9 2. a Smith & Wesson model MP 15, 5.56 caliber, semi-automatic
10 rifle, bearing serial number TH32357.
11 Defendant VENNUM possessed such firearms knowing that he had
12 previously been convicted of at least one of the following felony
13 crimes, each punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one
14 year:
15 1. Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale, in violation of
16 California Health and Safety Code Section 11378, in the Superior Court
17 for the State of California, County of Orange, case number 03CF2251,
18 on or about April 2, 2004;
19 2. Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale, in violation of
20 California Health and Safety Code Section 11377, in the Superior Court
21 for the State of California, County of Orange, case number 06HF1776,
22 on or about November 27, 2006;
23 3. Accessory after the Fact, in violation of California Penal
24 Code Section 2, in the Superior Court for the State of California,
25 County of Orange, case number 06NF4421, on or about April 16, 2007;
26 4. False Impersonation, in violation of California Penal Code
27 Section 529(3), in the Superior Court for the State of California,
28 County of Orange, case number 09WF1762, on or about May 17, 2010;
225
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 226 of 254 Page ID
#:226
1 5. Unauthorized Use of Another Person’s Personal Identifying
2 Information, in violation of California Penal Code 530.5(a) in
3 violation of California Penal Code 484e(a) in the Superior Court for
4 the State of California, County of Orange, case number 09HF1173, on or
5 about May 17, 2010;
6 6. Petty Theft, in violation of California Penal Code 484e(a)
7 in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange,
8 case number 09HF1173, on or about May 17, 2010.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
226
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 227 of 254 Page ID
#:227
1 COUNT SIXTY-SIX
2 [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)]
3 On or about October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAGET GARY EKELUND (“P.
5 EKELUND”) knowingly possessed the following firearms, in and
6 affecting interstate and foreign commerce:
7 1. a Smith & Wesson model M&P 9C, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic
8 pistol, bearing serial number HUJ4144;
9 2. a Remington Arms model 700, 7-08 caliber, bolt action
10 rifle, bearing serial number G6821774;
11 3. a Remington Arms model 742, 30-06 caliber, bolt action
12 rifle, bearing serial number 37032;
13 4. a Weatherby model Vanguard, 30-06 caliber, bolt action
14 rifle, bearing serial number VB226525; and
15 5. a Sig Sauer model P220, 45 caliber, semi-automatic pistol,
16 bearing serial number 37A005830.
17 Defendant P. EKELUND possessed such firearms knowing that he had
18 previously been convicted of at least one of the following felony
19 crimes, each punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one
20 year:
21 1. Receiving Stolen Property, in violation of California Penal
22 Code Section 496(a), in the Superior Court for the State of
23 California, County of Los Angeles, case number PA029769, on or about
24 July 24, 1998; and
25 2. Vehicle Theft, in violation of California Vehicle Code
26 Section 10851(a), in the Superior Court for the State of California,
27 County of Los Angeles, case number LA094157, on or about August 19,
28 2022.
227
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 228 of 254 Page ID
#:228
1 COUNT SIXTY-SEVEN
2 [18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)]
3 On or about March 13, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant MICHAEL VITANZA, also known
5 as “Suspect,” knowingly possessed the following firearm, in and
6 affecting interstate and foreign commerce: a black Ruger LCP Max,
7 .380 caliber firearm, bearing serial number 380963495, knowing that
8 he had previously been convicted of the following felony crime
9 punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year: Criminal
10 Threats, in violation of California Penal Code Section 422, in the
11 Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles,
12 case number PA858256, on or about June 25, 2008.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 229 of 254 Page ID
#:229
1 COUNT SIXTY-EIGHT
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about April 13, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly possessed firearms, namely: (1) a SIG Sauer P226 pistol,
6 bearing serial number U833548; (2) a Sten MKII rifle, bearing serial
7 number 49873; (3) a Palmetto State Armory M4 rifle, bearing serial
8 number LW184316; (4) a Beretta ARX 100 semi-automatic rifle, bearing
9 serial number SX03106; (5) two Polymer80 firearms, bearing no serial
10 numbers; (6) a Beretta Tomcat pistol, bearing serial number
11 DAA096925; and (7) a Hi-Point Haskell JHP45 pistol, bearing serial
12 number X4120545, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely,
13 conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute
14 controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
15 Section 846, as charged in Count Two of this Indictment.
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 230 of 254 Page ID
#:230
1 COUNT SIXTY-NINE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about June 23, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant DONALD EVERETT CUNNINGHAM,
5 also known as (“aka”) “DJ,” aka “Monster,” knowingly possessed
6 firearms, namely: (1) a Sterling Arms .25 caliber pistol, bearing
7 serial number 058339; (2) an HS Produkt, Hellcat, 9mm pistol, bearing
8 serial number BB540124; (3) a Kel-Tec, PF-9, 9mm pistol, bearing
9 serial number RVK24; (4) a Kimber, Stainless Pro Carry II, .45
10 caliber pistol, bearing serial number KR292302; (5) a Sturm, Ruger &
11 Co., GP100, .357 revolver, bearing serial number 1742248; (6) a
12 Beretta, 950, .22 caliber pistol, bearing serial number 87529CC;
13 (7) an A.A. Arms, AP9, 9mm pistol, bearing an obliterated serial
14 number; (8) a High Standard, Model 30, .22 caliber rifle, bearing no
15 serial number; and (9) a Mauser, P08, 9mm pistol, bearing no serial
16 number, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely,
17 conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute
18 controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
19 Section 846, as charged in Count Two of this Indictment.
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
230
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 231 of 254 Page ID
#:231
1 COUNT SEVENTY
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant RICHARD KEVIN RILEY
5 knowingly possessed a firearm, namely a Taurus, Model PT-38S, .380
6 caliber semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number LBM31379 in
7 furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely, conspiracy to
8 possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled
9 substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section
10 846, as charged in Count Two of this Indictment.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
231
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 232 of 254 Page ID
#:232
1 COUNT SEVENTY-ONE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about October 24, 2023, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant PAGET GARY EKELUND
5 knowingly possessed firearms, namely (1) a Smith & Wesson model M&P
6 9C, 9mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number
7 HUJ4144; (2) a Remington Arms model 700, 7-08 caliber, bolt action
8 rifle, bearing serial number G6821774; (3) a Remington Arms model
9 742, 30-06 caliber, bolt action rifle, bearing serial number 37032;
10 (4) a Weatherby model Vanguard, 30-06 caliber, bolt action rifle,
11 bearing serial number VB226525; and (5) a Sig Sauer model P220, 45
12 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number 37A005830
13 in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely, conspiracy to
14 possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled
15 substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section
16 846, as charged in Count Two of this Indictment.
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
232
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 233 of 254 Page ID
#:233
1 COUNT SEVENTY-TWO
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)]
3 On or about March 13, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant MICHAEL VITANZA, also known
5 as “Suspect,” knowingly possessed firearms, namely (1) a black Ruger
6 LCP Max, .380 caliber firearm, bearing serial number 380963495; and
7 (2) a tan Polymer 80 pistol with attached laser with no serial
8 number, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, namely,
9 conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute
10 controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
11 Section 846, as charged in Count Two of this Indictment.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
233
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 234 of 254 Page ID
#:234
1 COUNT SEVENTY-THREE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(3)]
3 On or about February 17, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant BRIANNE BREWER, also known
5 as “Bri,” (“BREWER”) knowingly and with intent to defraud, possessed
6 at least fifteen unauthorized access devices (as defined in Title 18,
7 United States Code, Sections 1029(e)(1) and (3)), namely,
8 approximately one social security number, fourteen credit account
9 numbers, and five dates of birth all belonging to persons other than
10 defendant BREWER, with said possession affecting interstate and
11 foreign commerce.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
234
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 235 of 254 Page ID
#:235
1 COUNT SEVENTY-FOUR
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1)]
3 On or about February 17, 2022, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant BRIANNE BREWER, also known
5 as “Bri,” (“BREWER”) knowingly possessed, without lawful authority, a
6 means of identification that defendant BREWER knew belonged to
7 another person, namely, the name, date of birth, and driver’s license
8 number of victim N.B., during and in relation to the offense of
9 Possession of Fifteen or More Unauthorized Access Devices, a felony
10 violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), as
11 charged in Count Seventy-Three of this Indictment.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
235
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 236 of 254 Page ID
#:236
1 COUNT SEVENTY-FIVE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(3)]
3 On or about March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant CORY DANIEL SIMS, also
5 known as “Sicko,” (“SIMS”) knowingly and with intent to defraud,
6 possessed at least fifteen unauthorized access devices (as defined in
7 Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1029(e)(1) and (3)), namely,
8 approximately four social security numbers, five credit account
9 numbers, seven bank account numbers, and five dates of birth all
10 belonging to persons other than defendant SIMS, with said possession
11 affecting interstate and foreign commerce.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
236
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 237 of 254 Page ID
#:237
1 COUNT SEVENTY-SIX
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1)]
3 On or about March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles County, within the
4 Central District of California, defendant CORY DANIEL SIMS, also
5 known as “Sicko,” knowingly possessed, without lawful authority, a
6 means of identification that defendant SIMS knew belonged to another
7 person, namely, the name, date of birth, and social security number
8 of victim M.N., during and in relation to the offense of Possession
9 of Fifteen or More Unauthorized Access Devices, a felony violation of
10 Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(a)(3), as charged in Count
11 Seventy-Five of this Indictment.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
237
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 238 of 254 Page ID
#:238
1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION ONE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 1963, 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32.2, notice
4 is hereby given to the defendants charged in Count One of the
5 Indictment that the United States of America will seek forfeiture as
6 part of any sentence, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code,
7 Section 1963, Title 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C), and
8 Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the event of any
9 such defendant’s conviction under Count One of the Indictment.
10 2. Any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United
11 States of America the following:
12 (a) Any interest the convicted defendant has acquired or
13 maintained in violation of section 1962;
14 (b) Any interest in, security of, claim against, or
15 property or contractual right of any kind affording a source or
16 influence over, any enterprise which the convicted defendant has
17 established, operated, controlled, conducted, or participated in the
18 conduct of, in violation of section 1962;
19 (c) Any property constituting, or derived from, any
20 proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from
21 racketeering activity in violation of section 1962; and
22 (d) To the extent such property is not available for
23 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
24 described in subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c).
25 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
26 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), and
27 Title 18, United States Code, Section 1963(m), any defendant so
28 convicted shall forfeit substitute property, up to the total value of
238
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 239 of 254 Page ID
#:239
1 the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the result
2 of any act or omission of said defendant, the property described in
3 the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a) cannot be located
4 upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been transferred, sold to
5 or deposited with a third party; (c) has been placed beyond the
6 jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been substantially diminished in
7 value; or (e) has been commingled with other property that cannot be
8 divided without difficulty.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
239
Case 2:24-cr-00570-WLH Document 1 Filed 09/26/24 Page 240 of 254 Page ID
#:240
1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION TWO
2 [21 U.S.C. § 853, 18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1), 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) and
3 (a)(11), and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
4 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal
5 Procedure, notice is hereby given to the defendants charged in Count
6 Two of the Indictment that the United States of America will seek
7 forfeiture as part of any sentence, pursuant to Title 21, United
8 States Code, Section 853, Title 21, United States Code, Section
9 881(a)(6) and (a)(11), Title 18, United States Code, Section
10 924(d)(1), and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the
11 event of any such defendant’s conviction under Count Two of the
12 Indictment.
13 2. Any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United
14 States of America the following:
15 (a) All right, title, and interest in any and all
16 property, real or personal, constituting or derived from, any
17 proceeds which the defendant obtained, directly or indirectly, from
18 any offense set forth in Count Two of the Indictment;
19 (b) All right, title, and interest in any and all
20 property, real or personal, used, or intended to be used, in any
21 manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of any
22 offense set forth in Count Two of the Indictment;
23 (c) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
24 ammunition involved in or used in any such offense; and
25 (d) To the extent such property is not available for
26 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
27 described in subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c).
28
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1 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
2 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), any
3 defendant so convicted shall forfeit substitute property, up to the
4 total value of the property described in the preceding paragraph if,
5 as the result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
6 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
7 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
8 transferred, sold to or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
9 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
10 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
11 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION THREE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2)(A), 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), and 28 U.S.C.
3 § 2461(c)]
4 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
5 Procedure, notice is hereby given to the defendants charged in any of
6 Counts Three through Twelve of the Indictment that the United States
7 of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence, pursuant to
8 Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(A), Title 18, United
9 States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C), and Title 28, United States Code,
10 Section 2461(c), in the event of any such defendant’s conviction under
11 any of Counts Three through Twelve of the Indictment.
12 2. Any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United
13 States of America the following:
14 (a) All right, title, and interest in any and all
15 property, real or personal, constituting, or derived from, any
16 proceeds traceable to any offense set forth in any of Counts Three
17 through Twelve of the Indictment; and
18 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
19 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
20 described in subparagraph (a).
21 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
22 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c) and
23 Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(b), any defendant so
24 convicted shall forfeit substitute property, up to the total value of
25 the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the result
26 of any act or omission of said defendant, the property described in
27 the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a) cannot be located
28 upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been transferred, sold to
242
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1 or deposited with a third party; (c) has been placed beyond the
2 jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been substantially diminished in
3 value; or (e) has been commingled with other property that cannot be
4 divided without difficulty.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION FOUR
2 [21 U.S.C. § 853, 18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1), 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) and
3 (a)(11), and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
4 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal
5 Procedure, notice is hereby given to the defendants charged in any of
6 Counts Thirteen through Sixty-Two of the Indictment that the United
7 States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence,
8 pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853, Title 18,
9 United States Code, Section 924(d)(1), Title 21, United States Code,
10 Section 881(a)(6) and (a)(11), and Title 28, United States Code,
11 Section 2461(c), in the event of any such defendant’s conviction
12 under any of Counts Thirteen through Sixty-Two of the Indictment.
13 2. Any defendant so convicted shall forfeit to the United
14 States of America the following:
15 (a) All right, title, and interest in any and all
16 property, real or personal, constituting or derived from, any
17 proceeds which the defendant obtained, directly or indirectly, from
18 any offense set forth in any of Counts Thirteen through Sixty-Two of
19 the Indictment for which defendant is convicted;
20 (b) All right, title, and interest in any and all
21 property, real or personal, used, or intended to be used, in any
22 manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of any
23 offense set forth in any of Counts Thirteen through Sixty-Two of the
24 Indictment for which defendant is convicted;
25 (c) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
26 ammunition involved in or used in any such offense; and
27
28
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1 (d) To the extent such property is not available for
2 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
3 described in subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c).
4 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
5 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), any
6 defendant so convicted shall forfeit substitute property, up to the
7 total value of the property described in the preceding paragraph if,
8 as the result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
9 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
10 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
11 transferred, sold to or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
12 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
13 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
14 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION FIVE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
4 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant CUNNINGHAM that the
5 United States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any
6 sentence, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section
7 924(d)(1), and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the
8 event of such defendant’s conviction under any of Counts Sixty-Three
9 or Sixty-Nine of the Indictment.
10 2. Defendant CUNNINGHAM shall forfeit to the United States of
11 America the following:
12 (a) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
13 ammunition involved in or used in the offense set forth in any of
14 Counts Sixty-Three or Sixty-Nine of the Indictment; and
15 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
16 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
17 described in subparagraph (a).
18 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
19 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c),
20 defendant CUNNINGHAM shall forfeit substitute property, up to the
21 value of the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the
22 result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
23 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
24 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
25 transferred, sold to, or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
26 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
27 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
28 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
246
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION SIX
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
4 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant RILEY that the United
5 States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence,
6 pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(d)(1), and
7 Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the event of such
8 defendant’s conviction under any of Counts Sixty-Four, Sixty-Eight,
9 or Seventy of the Indictment.
10 2. Defendant RILEY shall forfeit to the United States of
11 America the following:
12 (a) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
13 ammunition involved in or used in the offense set forth in any of
14 Counts Sixty-Four, Sixty-Eight, or Seventy of the Indictment; and
15 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
16 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
17 described in subparagraph (a).
18 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
19 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c),
20 defendant RILEY shall forfeit substitute property, up to the value of
21 the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the result of
22 any act or omission of said defendant, the property described in the
23 preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a) cannot be located upon
24 the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been transferred, sold to, or
25 deposited with a third party; (c) has been placed beyond the
26 jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been substantially diminished in
27 value; or (e) has been commingled with other property that cannot be
28 divided without difficulty.
247
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION SEVEN
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
4 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant VENNUM that the United
5 States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence,
6 pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(d)(1), and
7 Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the event of such
8 defendant’s conviction under Count Sixty-Five of the Indictment.
9 2. Defendant VENNUM shall forfeit to the United States of
10 America the following:
11 (a) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
12 ammunition involved in or used in the offense set forth in Count
13 Sixty-Five of the Indictment; and
14 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
15 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
16 described in subparagraph (a).
17 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
18 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c),
19 defendant VENNUM shall forfeit substitute property, up to the value
20 of the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the
21 result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
22 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
23 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
24 transferred, sold to, or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
25 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
26 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
27 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
28
248
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION EIGHT
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
4 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant P. EKELUND that the
5 United States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any
6 sentence, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section
7 924(d)(1), and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the
8 event of such defendant’s conviction under any of Counts Sixty-Six or
9 Seventy-One of the Indictment.
10 2. Defendant P. EKELUND shall forfeit to the United States of
11 America the following:
12 (a) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
13 ammunition involved in or used in the offense set forth in any of
14 Counts Sixty-Six or Seventy-One of the Indictment; and
15 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
16 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
17 described in subparagraph (a).
18 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
19 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c),
20 defendant P. EKELUND shall forfeit substitute property, up to the
21 value of the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the
22 result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
23 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
24 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
25 transferred, sold to, or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
26 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
27 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
28 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
249
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION NINE
2 [18 U.S.C. § 924(d)(1) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
3 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
4 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant VITANZA that the
5 United States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any
6 sentence, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section
7 924(d)(1), and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), in the
8 event of such defendant’s conviction under any of Counts Sixty-Seven
9 or Seventy-Two of the Indictment.
10 2. Defendant VITANZA shall forfeit to the United States of
11 America the following:
12 (a) All right, title, and interest in any firearm or
13 ammunition involved in or used in the offense set forth in any of
14 Counts Sixty-Seven or Seventy-Two of the Indictment; and
15 (b) To the extent such property is not available for
16 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
17 described in subparagraph (a).
18 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
19 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c),
20 defendant VITANZA shall forfeit substitute property, up to the value
21 of the property described in the preceding paragraph if, as the
22 result of any act or omission of said defendant, the property
23 described in the preceding paragraph or any portion thereof (a)
24 cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been
25 transferred, sold to, or deposited with a third party; (c) has been
26 placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been
27 substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with
28 other property that cannot be divided without difficulty.
250
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION TEN
2 [18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2)(A), 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), 18 U.S.C.
3 § 1029, and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
4 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
5 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant BREWER that the United
6 States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence,
7 pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(A), Title
8 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C), Title 18, United States
9 Code, Section 1029(c)(1)(C), and Title 28, United States Code,
10 Section 2461(c), in the event of such defendant’s conviction under
11 any of Counts Seventy-Three or Seventy-Four of the Indictment.
12 2. Defendant BREWER shall forfeit to the United States of
13 America the following:
14 (a) All right, title, and interest in any and all
15 property, real or personal, constituting, or derived from, any
16 proceeds traceable to any offense set forth in any of Counts Seventy-
17 Three or Seventy-Four of the Indictment;
18 (b) All personal property used or intended to be used to
19 commit the offense set forth in any of Counts Seventy-Three or
20 Seventy-Four of the Indictment; and
21 (c) To the extent such property is not available for
22 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
23 described in subparagraphs (a), and (b).
24 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
25 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c) and
26 Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(b), and Title 18, United
27 States Code, Section 1029(c)(2), defendant BREWER shall forfeit
28 substitute property, up to the value of the property described in the
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1 preceding paragraph if, as the result of any act or omission of said
2 defendant, the property described in the preceding paragraph or any
3 portion thereof (a) cannot be located upon the exercise of due
4 diligence; (b) has been transferred, sold to, or deposited with a
5 third party; (c) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the
6 court; (d) has been substantially diminished in value; or (e) has
7 been commingled with other property that cannot be divided without
8 difficulty.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
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1 FORFEITURE ALLEGATION ELEVEN
2 [18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2)(A), 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C), 18 U.S.C.
3 § 1029, and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)]
4 1. Pursuant to Rule 32.2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal
5 Procedure, notice is hereby given to defendant SIMS that the United
6 States of America will seek forfeiture as part of any sentence,
7 pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(a)(2)(A), Title
8 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C), Title 18, United States
9 Code, Section 1029(c)(1()C), and Title 28, United States Code,
10 Section 2461(c), in the event of such defendant’s conviction under
11 any of Counts Seventy-Five or Seventy-Six of the Indictment.
12 2. Defendant SIMS shall forfeit to the United States of
13 America the following:
14 (a) All right, title, and interest in any and all
15 property, real or personal, constituting, or derived from, any
16 proceeds traceable to any offense set forth in any of Counts Seventy-
17 Five or Seventy-Six of the Indictment;
18 (b) All personal property used or intended to be used to
19 commit the offense set forth in any of Counts Seventy-Five or
20 Seventy-Six of the Indictment; and
21 (c) To the extent such property is not available for
22 forfeiture, a sum of money equal to the total value of the property
23 described in subparagraphs (a), and (b).
24 3. Pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(p),
25 as incorporated by Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c) and
26 Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(b), and Title 18, United
27 States Code, Section 1029(c)(2), defendant BREWER shall forfeit
28 substitute property, up to the value of the property described in the
253
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1 preceding paragraph if, as the result of any act or omission of said
2 defendant, the property described in the preceding paragraph or any
3 portion thereof (a) cannot be located upon the exercise of due
4 diligence; (b) has been transferred, sold to, or deposited with a
5 third party; (c) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the
6 court; (d) has been substantially diminished in value; or (e) has
7 been commingled with other property that cannot be divided without
8 difficulty.
9
10
11 A TRUE BILL
12
13 /s/
Foreperson
14
15 E. MARTIN ESTRADA
United States Attorney
16
17
18 CAMERON L. SCHROEDER
Assistant United States Attorney
19 Chief, National Security Division
20 DAVID T. RYAN
Assistant United States Attorney
21 Chief, Terrorism and Export
Crimes Section
22
REEMA M. EL-AMAMY
23 Assistant United States Attorney
Terrorism and Export Crimes
24 Section
25 JEREMIAH LEVINE
Assistant United States Attorney
26 Violent and Organized Crime
Section
27
28
254
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