California man sentenced to 20 years for money laundering role in narcotics trafficking
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - John C. Richter, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced that ERICK OROZCO (a/k/a/ “Trips”), 31, of Bell Garden, California, was sentenced by United States District Judge David Russell to serve 240 months in prison for conspiracy to launder money based on his receipt of drug proceeds wire transferred to California from Oklahoma.
“Every citizen deserves to live free from the fear of gang-related crime and violence,” said John C. Richter, United States Attorney. “As shown in this case, many of these defendants moved to Oklahoma City and affiliated with local gang members to facilitate local drug trafficking. This office, and our federal, state and local partners, particularly the Oklahoma City Police Department, are committed to aggressively prosecute those gang members and their associates who breed crime, violence, and fear in our community.”
Orozco was charged along with 11 other co-defendants in a 79-count indictment alleging that from the spring of 2002 through the fall of 2003, the defendants conspired to operate a major drug trafficking enterprise to distribute crystal methamphetamine and cocaine. Eight other individuals were also separately charged as a result of the investigation. Two defendants are presently fugitives, one was acquitted at trial and charges against one were dismissed. Of the 16 convicted, six had direct ties to violent
In 2001, defendants who were members of the
Cooperating defendants, witnesses and confidential informants all provided information that led to surveillance, arrests, search warrants, and the seizure of significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine. Investigators were able to document the importation of additional quantities of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine into
This was a particularly violent drug trafficking organization that used threats and violence to enforce its operation.
The following is a summary of those defendants convicted and the sentence each received:
Name Age/Hometown Sentence
Dennis Emerson Gonzalez (a/k/a “Boxer”) 33, Al Hambra, CA 360 months
Adrian Macias Castro (a/k/a “Vago”) 29,
Rafael Loera Gamboa (a/k/a “Crook”) 32,
Erick Orozco (a/k/a/ “Trips”) 31,
Eduardo Verduzco 28,
Kurt Brown 32,
Jennifer Lujan 30,
Gilbert Cooper Bateman III 32,
Elizabeth Serrano (a/k/a “Liz”) 23,
Bryan Hashimoto Friedman (a/k/a “Japo”) 30,
Robby Dale White 37,
Tressie Elizabeth Woodmansee 27,
Travis Barrett Landsaw 29,
Maria Elena Ginez (a/k/a “Mousey”) 21, OKC, OK 48 months
Stevie D. Harjo 25,
Rhonda Sheppard 44,
Two defendants remain as fugitives.
“This investigation and prosecution of gang members in Oklahoma City is a good example of how federal agencies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma City Police Department have committed to the interdiction of gang violence and associated crimes that have increased over the last five years,” said Chief William Citty. “I am encouraged by recent investigations that prove to me our federal agencies are truly dedicated to addressing the day to day terrorism that effects our local neighborhoods and future of our youth in
“DEA will not tolerate criminal gang members infiltrating our community in order to peddle their poison.” said James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “We will continue to aggressively pursue, investigate and bring to justice all members of these violent organizations. This investigation is a painful reminder of how vicious and ruthless the drug trade has become.”
“Today’s sentence demonstrates to the American public that IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment goes far beyond investigating tax crimes,” said Erick Martinez, Special Agent in Charge for the
These cases are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigative Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary M. Smith and Leslie M. Maye.