San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced today the unsealing of five criminal complaints charging a total of twelve individuals with federal drug trafficking and firearm violations. The charges stem from an undercover investigation conducted by the San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force - Gang Group into the illegal activities of the Mexican Mafia prison gang and associated Latino street gangs in the San Diego area.

Four of the five complaints charge eleven defendants, including Mexican Mafia member Jose Alberto “Bat” Marquez, with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Marquez, who is currently in federal custody, was indicted in the Southern District of California in 2002 for conspiracies to import and distribute marijuana and cocaine as part of the Arellano-Felix drug trafficking organization; as noted in the 2002 indictment, Marquez acted as an enforcer, bodyguard, and caretaker of stash houses for the Arellano-Felix organization. Marquez was extradited from Mexico to the United States in January 2007. The complaint alleges that, in April 2007, Marquez orchestrated a methamphetamine deal involving at least two other Mexican Mafia associates, despite being in federal custody.

All four drug trafficking complaints charge that the defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other and others to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. The complaints also allege that, in addition to ties to the Mexican Mafia, several of the defendants have ties to various San Diego street gangs, including: South Side Mob, Logan Heights Red Steps, Shelltown, and Del Sol. Also charged in the complaints are Julia Morones, Maria Madriaga, Brian Mark Smith, Juan Manuel Velarde, Marco Corrado, Ruben Santos, Roland Montemayor, and Jorge Lopez-Herrera.

The fifth criminal complaint charges Mario Bejar, a member of the Old Town National City street gang, with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924. The complaint alleges that Bejar, an individual with felony convictions in San Diego County for attempted robbery and robbery, did unlawfully possess and sell a Mauser 98K 8 mm rifle.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned in federal court on Friday, June 6, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Leo S. Papas.

Case Number: 08MJ1756

Jose Alberto Marquez, a.k.a. Bat Age: 48
Julia Morones Age: 38
Maria Madriaga, a.k.a. Kika Age: 45

Case Number: 08MJ1754

Brian Mark Smith, a.k.a. Dusty Age: 32
Juan Manuel Velarde, a.k.a. Manny Age: 48

Case Number: 08MJ1755
Marco Corrado, a.k.a. Marcos Age: 39
Ruben Santos Age: 37

Case Number: 08MJ1757
Roland Montemayor, a.k.a. Rolo Age: 28
Jorge Lopez-Herrera, a.k.a. Pedro Bombas Age: 22

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1) - Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine;
Title 18, United States Code, Section 2 - Aiding and Abetting
Maximum Penalties: Life in Prison
$4,000,000 Fine

DEFENDANT

Case Number: 08MJ1753

Mario Bejar, a.k.a. Scorpion Age: 41

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924 - Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Maximum Penalties: 10 Years in Prison
$250,000 Fine

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration-Narcotics Task Force Team 2, San Diego Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, San Diego County District Attorney's Office, San Diego County Probation, Federal Bureau of Prisons, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Special Services Unit

A complaint 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.