ARREST AND SEARCH WARRANTS SERVED IN CONNECTION WITH STREET GANG NARCOTICS DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY IN ORANGE COUNTY Two members and one associate of an Orange County neighborhood street gang were arrested on federal charges this afternoon by members of the Santa Ana Gang Task Force in connection with a drug distribution conspiracy, announced J. Stephen Tidwell, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, Paul M. Walters, Chief of Police in Santa Ana, and Debra Wong Yang, United States Attorney in Los Angeles. The three were charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on Tuesday, October 31st, alleging conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, U.S. Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 846. Those arrested were: Juan Verdin, 28, of Santa Ana Adrian Nava, 24, of Santa Ana Jesus Vasquez, 41, of Santa Ana Approximately one dozen probable cause state arrests were also made this afternoon based on narcotics-related offenses and other outstanding warrants. In addition, members of the Task Force served three federal search warrants at locations in Santa Ana and Anaheim, and six state search warrants, in connection with the conspiracy. An investigation into the drug conspiracy involving members and associates of the Townsend Street gang began in January 2006 and uncovered the hierarchy of gang members who were responsible for the distribution of rock cocaine through street-level sales. The Townsend street gang, which submits to the authority of the Mexican Mafia by paying “taxes” in return for protection and authorization to exert influence over its territory, is known for its violent tactics in its neighborhood. Verdin, Nava and Vasquez will be afforded an appearance before a federal magistrate in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on Friday. The affidavit supporting the criminal complaint will remain under seal. This investigation was conducted by the Santa Ana Gang Task Force, whose members include officers with the Santa Ana Police Department and Agents with the FBI. The Santa Ana Gang Task Force continues to investigate the Mexican Mafia organization, once led by Peter Ojeda, whose members were arrested and charged in June 2005 in an operation known as “Nemesis,” for their involvement in the distribution of narcotics throughout Orange County, and for engaging in extortion and assault. The Ojeda Organization required Hispanic criminal street gangs in Orange County to pay money as a "tax" or "tribute" on a regular basis. Ojeda, 64, pleaded guilty on September 12 to conspiring to violate the racketeer-influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) Act and conspiring to distribute narcotics. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18th and faces life in prison. There have been 29 convictions in that case. Several additional defendants are scheduled for trial. A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.