Meth Kingpin Busted

⏱ 2 min read

Fabian Gomez, a 37-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident, was part of a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation that spanned two years, from August 2020 to May 2022. Along with other co-conspirators, Gomez peddled methamphetamine in and around South Lake Tahoe, with some of the supply coming from Sacramento. During this time, he also worked alone to sell both heroin and methamphetamine.

Gomez’s operation was eventually dismantled as part of Operation Bear Trap, a multi-agency effort to combat the growing problem of methamphetamine distribution in South Lake Tahoe. The investigation, which began in 2020, involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and several other agencies.

On December 8, 2025, Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb. Another defendant, Epifanio Ramirez, was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison for his role in the operation.

The successful prosecution of Gomez and Ramirez is a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in South Lake Tahoe. Operation Bear Trap has resulted in the interdiction of large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and firearms, including ‘ghost’ pistols and assault rifles.