Louis R. Perez III, Violent Drug Trafficking, Wisconsin 2024

MILWAUKEE, WI - In a shocking turn of events, 26 defendants, including Louis R. Perez III, also known as 'Eight Ball,' who is alleged to be a Mexican Posse gang member and the current leader of the nationwide drug trafficking organization, were charged with offenses related to a violent drug-trafficking organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

According to the Attorney General William P. Barr, the defendants allegedly obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and marijuana from California for distribution in the Milwaukee area. The operation, which was conducted in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, resulted in the seizure of approximately 33 firearms, $170,000, and over 700 grams of heroin from one location, as well as additional heroin, cocaine, and marijuana from other locations.

The charges against the defendants include narcotics-related offenses, firearms-related offenses, and other violent crimes. Since the launch of Operation Legend in July 2020, more than 3,500 arrests have been made, including approximately 200 for homicide; over 1,000 firearms have been seized; and nearly 19 kilos of heroin, more than 11 kilos of fentanyl, more than 94 kilos of methamphetamine, nearly 14 kilos of cocaine, and more than $6.5 million in drug proceeds have been seized.

Perez III and the other defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.

The Attorney General launched the operation as a sustained, systematic, and coordinated law enforcement initiative to fight violent crime. The operation has been expanded to various cities across the United States, including Chicago, Illinois; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

In related news, the total number of federal charges in each district is as follows: Kansas City, MO, 147 defendants; Chicago, IL, 150 defendants; Albuquerque, NM, 60 defendants; Cleveland, OH, 40 defendants; Detroit, MI, 30 defendants; Milwaukee, WI, 26 defendants; St. Louis, MO, 20 defendants; Memphis, TN, 15 defendants; and Indianapolis, IN, 10 defendants.

The details of the charges against each defendant are as follows: Louis R. Perez III, allegedly a Mexican Posse gang member and the current leader of the nationwide drug trafficking organization, was charged with narcotics-related offenses, firearms-related offenses, and other violent crimes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 05/26/2024.

Note: The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-updates-operation-legend-press-conference-milwaukee