News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2006

Major Central Valley Drug Trafficker Arrested in Operation “OO”
11 arrested, drugs, guns recovered in multi-agency operation

FRESNO- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Stephen K. Martin, announced today the arrest of a major Central Valley narcotics dealer and nine others on various narcotics related charges.

Operation “00” began in December 2005, when the Fresno Police Department Special Operations Task Force, U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF and DEA began an investigation into narcotic dealing in the Central Valley.

Suspect Walter Orr had become known to the Fresno Police Major Narcotics Unit as a major drug dealer, dealing in both powder and rock cocaine at the ounce, multi-ounce and kilo level. Several sources confirmed Orr had been dealing cocaine for more than a decade.

Investigators determined Orr received three to four kilos of cocaine at least once a month. Orr sold to users all over the Central Valley, but focused primarily in Fresno. Orr’s customers included members and associates of a Fresno African American street gang.

Walter Orr and his chief assistant Latasha Walton were arrested Saturday, August 26 on Highway 99 in Tulare County. Arresting authorities found three kilos of cocaine and a handgun in his vehicle.

Arrested during Operation “00”:

  • Walter Orr, 39, Fresno
  • Latasha Walton, 39, Fresno
  • Tremayne Beard, 24, Fresno
  • Bernice Bentley, 48, Fresno
  • Rayquan Brown, 25, Fresno
  • Demar Duncan, 40, Fresno
  • Robert Hernandez, 44, Fresno
  • Kenneth Johnson, 36, Fresno
  • Michael King, 37, Fresno
  • William Strong, 33, Fresno
  • Sunmler Townsend, 34, Fresno

All suspects face various Federal narcotics charges. One suspect, 30 year old Roy Hempstead, remains at large.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer stated, “The arrest of Walter Orr and nearly a dozen of his associates or customers is bad news for those who were dependent on Orr for their narcotics. Orr, his associates, customers and his drugs are now off the streets and on behalf of a grateful city, the Fresno Police Department would like to thank all the agencies who assisted us in this operation, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.”

United States Attorney McGregor Scott stated, "This successful investigation is a great example of the results that can be achieved by local, state, and federal law enforcement working together and combining resources. The United States Attorney's Office is committed to a continuing effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute drug traffickers and anyone else who contributes to violent crime."

"Drug dealers live with the knowledge that they will 'pay now or pay later' " stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña. "It appears that Mr. Orr will pay us now, putting an end to more than a decade of drug trafficking activities which has plagued this community far too long. He's been living free on borrowed time and now that time is up" Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Stephen K. Martin stated, “The collaborative effort of the DEA, ATF, US Attorney’s Office, the Fresno Police and many other local and state agencies has led to the arrest of major drug dealer and ultimately safer streets. This should send a message that drug dealers can’t do business in this community without the watchful eye of local, state and federal agencies.”

Other agencies that assisted in Operation “00” include:

  • Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC)
  • California Highway Patrol
  • California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
  • Fresno County District Attorney’s Office
  • Kings County Narcotics Task Force
  • Madera Gang Enforcement Team
  • Fresno Meth Task Force –F.P.D. and Fresno Co. Sheriff’s Teams (HIDTA)
  • HIDTA Intelligence Center
  • U.S. Marshall’s Office
  • State Parole
  • Fresno Police Major Narcotics Unit
  • Fresno Police Traffic Bureau
  • Fresno Police District Crimes Suppression Teams (DCST)
  • Fresno Police Vice/Intelligence Units

This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California. The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.