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A major federal operation led to the arrests of twelve individuals believed to be linked to a notorious Los Angeles street gang, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California on Thursday.
The suspects are allegedly connected to 18th Street, the largest street gang in Los Angeles. Authorities claim the gang evaded law enforcement by disguising themselves among the homeless using tents. Investigators accuse the group of distributing drugs across various areas of Los Angeles, including MacArthur Park, Skid Row, Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley.
“Seven federal indictments have been issued against members of this gang,” stated Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. “18th Street has negatively impacted MacArthur Park, turning it into an area plagued by crime, drug addiction, and those who perpetuate these issues.”
The gang has reportedly expanded into a significant criminal enterprise with connections to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican Mafia. The charges against members include murder, extortion, racketeering, conspiracy, and drug trafficking. In one case, a gang member allegedly killed a drug dealer for not paying the gang’s demanded “taxes.”
During the operation, dubbed “Operation Dead Horse,” at least 12 suspects were apprehended on Thursday. (@USAttyEssayli/X)
As part of the takedown known as “Operation Dead Horse,” authorities arrested the gang’s alleged street boss and second-in-command, Keiko Marie Gonzalez, 59, known as “Moms.”Â
Prosecutors say she communicated directly with an incarcerated Mexican Mafia member who maintained ultimate control over the 18th Street gang from a California state prison, acting as the critical link between the prison leadership and street-level operation.
Prosecutors say she held the authority to order the murders of her own gang members, rivals, and other drug traffickers. In July 2022, she called for the murder of a woman who failed to pay extortion “taxes” related to her drug trafficking activities within their territory..
18th Street gang trafficks drugs across Los Angeles, operating in MacArthur Park, Skid Row, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. (@USAttyEssayli/X)
Two other members, George Carillo and Carlos Beltran, are charged with murder in aid of racketeering for this killing.
Along with drug trafficking and murder, the gang ran illegal gambling establishments known as “casitas” and engaged in organized extortion.
Prosecutors said agents on Thursday seized roughly $80,000 in cash, six firearms, as well as several pounds of drugs. During the overall investigation, law enforcement recovered 175 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Mexican Mafia-affiliated 18th Street gang allegedly operated in homeless encampments to evade law enforcement. (@USAttyEssayli/X)
Six other suspects remain at large, authorities said. Two are believed to have fled internationally, one to Mexico and another to Guatemala.
Federal authorties seize several pounds of meth and fentanyl during Thursday’s seizure. (@USAttyEssayli/X)
Five of the defendants arrested were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
If convicted, street boss Gonzalez faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and the accused shooters, Carillo and Beltran, face mandatory life sentences.
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