In 2014, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow worked with the Legislature and Governor Brown’s administration to secure $9.4 million for California DOJ Bureau of Investigation’s SOU teams. These unique and essential teams are a partnership between DOJ and CHP and use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques to work alongside local law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.
“Street gangs terrorize communities and threaten public safety for all Californians. This operation captured dangerous criminals suspected of drug trafficking and violent crimes throughout the Central Valley,” said Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. “I thank our California Department of Justice Special Agents and our state and local partners for their dedication to keeping our communities safe.”
Due to an ongoing feud between two of Stockton’s most notorious Norteno Criminal Street Gangs, the Stockton Police Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit, in conjunction with the California Department of Justice, San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Office of Correctional Safety (CDCR), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office have been conducting an intense investigation into the activities of these two gangs.
“Through an Operation Ceasefire analysis, we identified these two groups who have been feuding and started an in-depth investigation into their illegal criminal activities,” said Stockton’s Police Chief Eric Jones. Chief Jones added, “We will continue these types of investigations because we are following through on our commitment to combat gang violence and shootings in our City.”
One of the primary objectives of yesterday’s mission was to completely disrupt the operations of these two Norteno Criminal Street Gangs by serving approximately 36 search warrants and upwards of 28 arrest warrants throughout the City of Stockton, San Joaquin County, Sacramento County, Calaveras County, and Merced County.
The following are the results from the 90 day investigation:
- Arrests: 76
- Firearms Confiscated: 68
- Narcotics Seized: 30 lbs of meth, also seized cocaine, heroin, and marijuana
- Body Armor Seized: Yes
- Cash Seized: Over $89,000
The following notable homicide arrest occurred on during the mission on September 16, 2015 in the City of Stockton as a result of this investigation:
Valentin Vivero
An arrest has been made in connection to the July 13, 2015 shooting in the 400 block of McCloud Avenue where five people were shot including Ray Ortega, a 41 year old man, who died from his injuries. Arrested for this homicide was Valentin Vivero, a 24 year old man.
Also arrested in connection to this homicide case was Benny Castaneda, a 35 year old man, for criminal conspiracy and gang charges.
In response during these challenging times, this type of collaborative response through the use of allied resources is an invaluable tool to reducing crime in the City of Stockton.
The Stockton Police Department would like to thank the following participating agencies:
Benny Castaneda,
California DOJ Bureau of Investigations, Office of Correctional Safety (CDCR), San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Tracy Police Department, Manteca Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department, Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol Beverage Control, US Marshals, Community Corrections Partnership Task Force (AB109), Amador County Sheriff’s Office, West Sacramento Police Department, Davis Police Department, Yolo County Narcotics Enforcement Team, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, DOJ Bureau of Firearms, and Alcohol Tobacco Firearms (ATF).
