SAPD honored by U.S. Attorney’s Office

SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE: Date: 05/12/11
Contact: Cpl Anthony Bertagna, Office (714) 245-8029, Cell (714) 709-2043

The United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California honors Santa Ana Police Department Detectives at their Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

Santa Ana Police Department Career Criminal Unit Detectives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, recognized for integrity, commitment and outstanding service.

Summary of Investigation and Prosecution:

The Bishop Manor Condominium Complex (an area housing over 1,300 residents) was a long troubled community in the City of Santa Ana that required a disproportionate level of police and city services. Of particular problems in the area were gang activity and narcotics trafficking by the Minnie Street Lopers Street Gang. In 2008, the Santa Ana Gang Task Force, comprised of Santa Ana Police Department Career Criminal Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, targeted this area to eliminate these problems within the Bishop Manor Complex.

As a result of the investigation which utilized Title III intercepts, confidential informant buys and undercover agent buys, the US Attorney’s Office in October 2008 charged 22 defendants in six separate indictments with narcotics trafficking and firearms violations. The defendants received significant sentences, many more than ten years, with one defendant receiving a 20-year sentence due to his extensive criminal history. Only two defendants remain and are set for trial in September 2011.

In addition, the investigation is credited with resolving two outstanding murders in the Bishop Manor Complex and with the significant decrease in crime in the area. The partnering of local and federal law enforcement made a dramatic difference in this area of Orange County and it is due directly to the work of the 12 agents.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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