AFO Enforcer and Mexican
Mafia Member Faces New Drug Charges
United States Attorney
Karen P. Hewitt announced today the unsealing of five
criminal complaints charging a total of 12 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 11 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.
