Federal-State Law Enforcement Partnership Results In More Than 75 Arrests In San Mateo, San Francisco Counties

SAN FRANCISCO – Officials from more than a half dozen law enforcement agencies gathered today to announce that over 75 individuals have been arrested and charged with a variety of state and federal crimes pursuant to “Operation Cold Day,” a joint federal-state effort to combat crime in San Mateo and San Francisco counties.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder; San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe; San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón; San Francisco Chief of Police William Scott; Daly City Chief of Police Manuel Martinez; and California Highway Patrol, Golden Gate Division, Assistant Chief James Libby.   

According to the officials, Operation Cold Day was spearheaded by the ATF in close coordination with local law enforcement partners in an effort to support ongoing state and local efforts to combat gun and drug-related crime.  Multiple investigations and undercover operations have resulted in federal charges against 42 defendants and charges against dozens in state court.

According to the federal charging documents, the defendants are charged in mostly separate indictments.  Each defendant is charged with allegedly committing at least one or more of the following crimes: possessing illegal firearms (such as firearms with obliterated serial numbers), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(k); engaging in the unlicensed dealing in firearms, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A); distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)(viii); being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); and participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846.  Similarly, defendants in the prosecutions brought by the district attorneys of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties face a variety of charges.

“This week we took a key preemptive step in our battle against violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Stretch. “By pooling the resources of the federal government with those of our state and local law enforcement partners, scores of weapons that we allege were illegally possessed and sold now have been taken off the streets.  We commend and thank all of our law enforcement partners who have risked their safety to bring this phase of the operation to a successful conclusion.”  

“It is our duty to make this community a safer place for you and your families,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Snyder.  “The safety of the public is at the core of ATF’s mission and we stand at the frontline eradicating violent crime from our streets.  One firearm in the hands of a gang member or prohibited person is one firearm too many.  It only takes one round from one gun to end a life.  Today ATF and our partners stand here united and proud to serve our communities.  Through everyone’s hard work and dedication this operation has been a true success.  These are also our neighborhoods and today the greater San Francisco area is a safer place.”

“Law enforcement is at its best when we all come together to enhance public safety,” said District Attorney Gascón.  “My office’s Crime Strategies Unit is always looking for creative ways to work with our law enforcement partners to make our jurisdictions safer together.”

“Gun violence has negatively impacted the lives of far too many people in San Francisco,” said SFPD Chief Scott.  “This type of violence is more likely to happen when guns are in the hands of individuals willing to obtain and/or use them illegally.  This interagency collaboration and the resulting arrests goes a long way to towards addressing gun violence by removing from our streets firearms and those willing to obtain them illegally and potentially use them.”

“The effects of this large-scale and collaborative operation will have an impact on the public safety in this region for quite some time,” said Daly City Police Chief Martinez.

“This type of interagency cooperation stands as an example of what can be accomplished when state, federal and local law enforcement agencies work together to ensure that our communities are safe,” said CHP Assistant Chief Libby.  “This two-year operation would never have been possible were it not for the cooperation of all of the agencies involved, and for this, the California Highway Patrol is grateful to all of our allied partners.”

The indictments merely allege that crimes have been committed, and each defendant must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

These prosecutions are the result of close coordination between the ATF; the California Highway Patrol; and the police departments of San Francisco, Redwood City, San Bruno, and Daly City; and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.  

OPERATION COLD DAY FEDERAL DEFENDANTS

The statutes referenced above correlate to the following alleged offenses:

18 U.S.C. § 371- Conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license

18 U.S.C. § 111(b)- Assault on a federal officer

18 U.S.C. § 922(a)- Dealing in firearms without a license

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)- Felon in possession of a firearm

18 U.S.C. § 922(k)- Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number

21 U.S.C. § 841- Distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance

21 U.S.C. § 846- Conspiracy to distribute and/or possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance

26 U.S.C. § 5861(d)- Possession of an unregistered firearm