LOS ANGELES
A federal jury Monday found a La Verne woman guilty of federal criminal charges related to her role as a “secretary” to an imprisoned Mexican Mafia “shot caller” who controlled Latino gangs in Pomona, officials stated.
Including facilitating an armed robbery and shooting, as well as the distribution of narcotics and extortion, authorities stated.
Kelly Deshannon, 42, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, one count of committing a violent crime in support of racketeering activity (VICAR), and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
According to evidence presented at a five-day trial, Deshannon served as a secretary to Seferino Gonzalez, an imprisoned shot caller of the Michael Lerma Cell of the Mexican Mafia.
Gonzalez exerted control over Latino gangs from prison, including overseeing drug trafficking and other offenses committed in Pomona.
As a secretary, Deshannon helped facilitate an attempted armed robbery of car keys to a Mercedes-Benz SUV on July 14, 2013, which resulted in the shooting of a victim.
Deshannon knew the victims’ address, that the victims had access to the car keys, and had spoken to the victims.
On the night of the shooting, Deshannon brought the shooter and other defendants with her to the victims’ address and pointed out a victim to her accomplices. The victim, though wounded, survived the attack.
Deshannon’s other criminal conduct included broking drug sales and collecting extortionate taxes in Lerma Cell territory.
Lerma, who is this case’s lead defendant, was indicted in 2018 and has pleaded not guilty to RICO conspiracy and multiple other federal charges.
His trial is scheduled for July 23, 2024. He is in federal custody.
U.S. District Judge George H. Wu scheduled an Oct. 26 sentencing hearing. Deshannon faces up to seven years in federal prison and up to 20 years in federal prison.
After a 10-day trial in March 2023, a federal jury found Deshannon not guilty of attempted carjacking and deadlocked on four other counts.
At the request of federal prosecutors, Judge Wu on June 28 dismissed one VICAR count against Deshannon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason C. Pang of the Major Frauds Section and Varun Behl of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.