Sean Terrence Sheeter, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises, California 2024

Sean Terrence Sheeter, a North County property owner, has been charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises in a federal indictment unsealed in San Diego today.

The indictment seeks criminal forfeiture of the multi-acre property, located at 725 Poinsettia Avenue, which authorities claim is a ‘drug-laden haven for violent felons, gang members, drug dealers and drug users.’

Sheeter, who was arrested early this morning by members of the North County Regional Gang Task Force and the FBI SWAT team, was released and ordered to appear in federal court in San Diego on Friday at 2:00 pm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Lopez.

The federal indictment is the result of a multi-year investigation led by the North County Regional Gang Task Force, which involved months of federal wiretaps, multiple undercover drug buys, and surveillance that led investigators to learn about the criminal activity on the property.

According to a search warrant unsealed today, Sheeter allowed gang members, drug dealers and users to stay at the property, and law enforcement activity at the property has been pervasive, with 53 separate calls for service or other calls to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department pertaining to the property between January 1, 2017 and February 25, 2020.

The calls included reports for stolen vehicles, thefts, disturbance calls, burglary, grand theft, armed suspicious persons, vandalism and a threat with a weapon, resulting in 22 arrests and 7 citations issued at the property.

U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer stated, ‘We allege that this property is a drug-laden haven for violent felons, gang members, drug dealers and drug users. This neighborhood, and the streets of San Diego County, are safer today because of the hard work and dedication of the North County Regional Gang Task Force and prosecutors Kevin Mokhtari and David Rawls.’

FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Brunner added, ‘Today’s operation brings the conclusion of a long-term investigation led by our North County Regional Gang Task Force. This group of dedicated agents and officers work hard making the streets of North County safer for the community to live and work.’

San Diego County Sheriff’s Captain Justin White stated, ‘It’s not unreasonable to expect our neighbors to be law abiding citizens. Unfortunately, Mr. Sheeter allegedly felt he was above the law with little regard for his neighbors and how illegal activity would affect everyone’s quality of life.’

For further information on the original investigation that led to today’s action, please see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/thirty-seven

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