SANTA ANA, California – Authorities with the Orange County Violent Gang Task Force arrested nine defendants on federal narcotics and firearms charges this morning, marking the latest development in Operation King Midas, a probe into gang activity in Santa Ana and surrounding communities.
The arrests stem from 10 federal indictments issued by a federal grand jury that charge a total of 20 defendants. The indictments allege a series of methamphetamine and heroin transactions, as well as firearms offenses. Seven of the defendants are believed to be members of the Alley Boys street gang, and four others are believed to be members of other Orange County gangs.
One of the indictments details an illicit narcotics-trafficking operation based in a budget hotel in Santa Ana where the drugs were sold and distributed. A second indictment alleges a transaction at an Anaheim hotel where two defendants allegedly sold a half-pound of methamphetamine to a prospective buyer for $3,500 in cash.
Among those arrested this morning is Sergio Soria, aka ‘Red,’ 41, of Tustin, an alleged leader of the Highland gang, who is currently a fugitive. Another defendant, Deanna Lorraine Kirk, aka ‘Dee,’ 48, of Bakersfield, was already in custody.
“As part of our violent crime initiative, we are taking the fight to local street gangs such as the Alley Boys who destroy our communities with drugs and guns,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “The federal criminal cases being announced today are the latest in a long string of investigations in which federal and state agencies have partnered to target the gang activity that takes a devastating toll on neighborhoods.”
The 20 defendants named in the indictments unsealed this morning are:
- Sergio Soria, aka ‘Red,’ 41, of Tustin, an alleged leader of the Highland gang, who is currently a fugitive;
- David Oscar Perez, aka ‘Jap,’ 42, of Santa Ana;
- Hector Aburto Lopez, 27, of Santa Ana;
- Sammy Walter Gray, Junior, aka ‘Junior,’ 35, of Santa Ana;
- Sylvia Gray, aka ‘Shiva,’ 43, of Santa Ana;
- Deanna Lorraine Kirk, aka ‘Dee,’ 48, of Bakersfield;
- George Ramirez, aka ‘Lil’ One,’ 39, of Santa Ana;
- Danny Castillo, aka ‘Taz,’ 39, of Santa Ana;
- Melissa Ramirez, 35, of Santa Ana;
- Esteban Cervantes, aka ‘Hitman,’ 43, of Santa Ana, who was already in custody and now faces federal firearms offenses that include selling a .45-caliber handgun to a person he thought was a convicted felon;
- Oscar Peralta Jimenez, aka ‘Toker,’ 35, of Santa Ana;
- Andrea Rodriguez, 28, of Santa Ana;
- Christopher Martinez, 34, of Santa Ana;
- Jesus Pineda, 29, of Santa Ana;
- Ruben Sanchez, 36, of Santa Ana;
- Julian Navarro, 30, of Santa Ana;
- Ruben Hernandez, 32, of Santa Ana;
- David Castro, 26, of Santa Ana;
- Jose Sandoval, 38, of Santa Ana;
- David Maldonado, 40, of Santa Ana;
- Alfredo Lopez, 24, of Santa Ana;
- Jesus Hernandez, 33, of Santa Ana;
- Alfredo Castro, 29, of Santa Ana;
- Adolfo Lopez, 25, of Santa Ana;
The defendants face various charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The investigation was led by the Orange County Violent Gang Task Force, which includes federal and state law enforcement agencies. The task force was formed in 2019 to target violent gang activity in Orange County.
The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and the Santa Ana Police Department, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement agencies.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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