Press Release

Federal Narcotics And Firearms Charges Filed Against Twelve San Diego County Residents

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California

Federal grand jury indictments were unsealed today charging 12 San Diego County residents with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The charges are part of a 10-month investigation by federal and local authorities that culminated with the arrests of dozens of people during raids this morning in the North County.

Of those charged federally, 10 were taken into custody during today’s sweep and two were still at large. Dozens of additional defendants will be prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office as part of the investigation, dubbed “Operation Mountain Shadow.”

The federal charges against the twelve defendants are the result of an intensive ten-month long investigation led by the Violent Trafficker Team (VTT) from DEA's San Diego division. Most of the defendants were arrested in today’s massive law enforcement operation involving more than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. Officers also executed federal search warrants at six residences and businesses during the operation.

All of the federal defendants are charged with distributing methamphetamine or conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine. Several are also charged with illegally possessing firearms, and one is charged with discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Those in federal custody include Paulino Aguirre, Johnny Castillo, Christopher Maldonado, John Caudle, Oscar Rodriguez-Torres, Miguel Rodriguez-Torres, Todd Young, Jose Tyoran and Israel Ornelas. Tyoran and Ornelas appeared in federal court this afternoon; they entered not-guilty pleas and a detention hearing was set for Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bartick. The two federal fugitives are Vasquez and Juan Aguirre are not yet in custody.

The DEAs Violent Trafficker Team was created to respond to violent drug trafficking organizations in local communities throughout the nation. The Violent Trafficker teams are deployed on a temporary basis to assist state and local law enforcement in the disruption and dismantling of drug trafficking organizations. The Violent Trafficker Team’s deployment in Poway and Ramona was intended to address a surge in violent crime and drug overdoses, particularly among young people, in those communities. The surge was directly connected to narcotics and firearms trafficking in the area.

During the Violent Trafficking Team’s ten-month investigation, agents conducted multiple seizures of methamphetamine and also seized firearms including several 12-gauge shotguns, one sawed off shotgun, and several semi-automatic rifles.

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3310
Juan Aguirre Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Unlawful possession of firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)) Discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)) Paulino Aguirre Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3311
Johnny Castillo Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Unlawful possession of firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1))

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3312
Jose Ernesto Dinero Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1))

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3313
Christopher Maldonado Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Jose Tyoran Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) John Caudle Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Michelle Vasquez Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Israel Ornelas Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3314
Oscar Rodriguez-Torres Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Unlawful possession of firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) Miguel Rodriguez-Torres Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)

DEFENDANTS		Case Number: 13cr3315
Todd Young Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846) Unlawful possession of firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1))

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances B Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 Maximum penalty: Life imprisonment and $4,000,000 fine Distribution of Controlled Substances B Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) Maximum penalty: Life imprisonment and $4,000,000 fine Unlawful Possession of Firearm B Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g) Maximum penalty: 10 years= imprisonment and $10,000 fine Criminal Forfeiture B Title 21, United States Code, Section 853 Maximum penalty: Forfeiture of proceeds

AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Border Patrol United States Marshals Service San Diego County Sheriff's Department
An indictment itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Updated July 23, 2015

Component

USAO - California, Southern

Federal Narcotics And Firearms Charges Filed Against Twelve San Diego County Residents

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