LOS ANGELES
Six Coachella Valley residents have been charged by federal prosecutors with drug trafficking offenses, and four of the men face additional counts for illegal possession of a firearm.
Four of the men were arrested this morning as part of a joint operation involving both federal and local authorities. Two of the men are already in state custody on separate charges.
In the first case, Julio Cesar Gomez, also known as “Spanky,” 31, of Indio, Angel Alejandro Carmona, aka “Lil Criminal,” 30, of Coachella, and Steven Andrew Gonzalez, aka “Cubs,” 32, of Indio, were charged in an indictment with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In addition, Gomez was charged with being a felon in possession of an assault rifle with an obliterated serial number.
Carmona was charged with being a felon in possession of a .357-caliber handgun. Gomez and Carmona were arrested this morning, and Gonzalez is in state prison in Wasco, California.
In the second case, Francisco Remigio Figueroa, aka “Toro,” 34, of Desert Hot Springs, was charged in an indictment with distributing methamphetamine and marijuana. Figueroa was also charged with possessing a 20-gauge shotgun and ammunition after being convicted of multiple state felonies. Figueroa is currently in jail in Riverside County.
Mario Vincent Lopez, 49, of Desert Hot Springs, was charged in an indictment with possession an unregistered 12-gauge shotgun and shotgun ammunition after being convicted of multiple state felonies as well as distributing methamphetamine. Lopez was arrested this morning.
Finally, Donnie Darnel Dennis, 38, of Desert Hot Springs, was also arrested this morning pursuant to a criminal complaint charging him with the distributing methamphetamine.
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint describes Dennis handing his daughter a handgun when using her as part of a drug deal.
Five of the men face life in prison sentences if convicted of the charges. Figueroa faces up to 65 years in prison.
“Drug trafficking involving firearms continues to pose a tremendous danger to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “Several of these men were undeterred by prior state convictions, so now they must face federal charges and lengthy prison sentences.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric D. Harden added, “ATF works with our law enforcement partners to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons and pursues federal criminal charges against felons that repeatedly seek to possess firearms.”
The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.