April 14, 2021 - SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury has indicted 47 people who are allegedly associated with illegal gambling establishments that are closely tied to gangs, drugs, and violence in San Diego neighborhoods.
Early this morning, more than 450 members of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force - Gang Group, the San Diego Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies made 35 arrests and searched 24 locations, mostly illegal gambling dens in East San Diego neighborhoods. In all, 44 firearms, more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine, $263,000 in cash, and 640 gambling machines were seized during the two-year investigation. Of the 35 people arrested, 15 are part of the indicted group, and the others were arrests for state offenses. Three of the indicted individuals were already in custody prior to the takedown.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy, operating illegal gambling businesses, maintaining drug involved premises, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, distribution of methamphetamine, importation of methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. The gambling dens continued to operate during the pandemic.
“We have taken down the illegal gambling dens, and we have lifted a weight off our neighborhoods,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “As a result of the collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement officials, law-abiding citizens who live in these neighborhoods will be safer without these magnets for crime in their midst. I am particularly grateful to FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner, SDPD Chief David Nisleit, and District Attorney Summer Stephan for their work on this investigation and their dedication to keeping our community safe.”
“These gambling dens were not only host to illegal gambling, but a hub for a variety of other criminal activity to include drug trafficking and unlawful possession of firearms,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “This serves as another example of what happens when you bring together dedicated law enforcement professionals using a comprehensive approach to detect, disrupt, and dismantle these criminal operations.”
“Numerous crimes have been linked to the illegal gambling operations,” said SDPD Chief David Nisleit. “The investigative work led by the Violent Crimes Task Force and the arrests made have created a safer environment for all of our communities.”
“This joint operation is a prime example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement works together to respond to community concerns over increased crime in their neighborhoods,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Our DA team worked tirelessly with the Violent Crimes Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Office assisting with critical search warrants during the course of this operation.”
Those arrested today include the owners of the businesses and employees who acted as doormen, security and bankers; those who audit the machines; and those who collect the money. Also arrested were alleged drug dealers who operated within the dens.
The indictments allege that illegal gambling dens were often located inside small businesses or inside houses, apartments, and outbuildings in residential neighborhoods predominantly in City Heights, in the East San Diego area. According to court records, it is common for gambling den owners to pay rent in cash to the owners of these properties and, in some cases, a percentage of the profits to cast a blind eye to all the foot traffic.
These establishments are equipped with electronic gambling machines which are programmed with several games of chance such as poker, blackjack, keno, jacks or better, and slot games. Most locations of these establishments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The indictments allege that many of these gambling locations were taking in thousands of dollars a day.
The main draw to illegal gambling establishments is methamphetamine use and sales, according to the indictments. It’s rare to have a patron who does not use or sell methamphetamine inside these locations. The people selling drugs inside may be employees or independent drug dealers. According to court records, it is common for employees to hand out small amounts of methamphetamine and “comp” customers to keep them playing and coming back for more.
Grossman praised federal prosecutors Dale Blankenship and Matthew Brehm as well as the Deputy District Attorneys, FBI Special Agents, San Diego Police Department detectives and officers and other state, federal and local law enforcement agencies who worked so hard on this investigation.
*Denotes fugitives
DEFENDANTS
Case Number 21CR1109-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
LONG NGOC TRAN (1), |
41 |
San Diego |
|
*TUNG THANH NGUYEN (2), |
51 |
San Diego |
|
THANH LAN THI NGUYEN (3), |
42 |
San Diego |
|
DENNIS MICHAEL DIBLASI (4), |
47 |
San Diego |
|
*WAYNE JONATHAN CLAYTON Jr. (5), |
50 |
San Diego |
|
*YVONNE MICHELLE AGUILAR (6), |
41 |
San Diego |
|
*ROBERT JAMES WRIGHT (7), |
38 |
San Diego |
|
TAM ONH ONG (8), |
43 |
San Diego |
|
*SAENGAMPHAY M. PHOMMASANE (9) |
38 |
San Diego |
|
*KAREN RENE ANN PRANGSAMPHAN- PORTER (10), |
31 |
Arizona |
|
*JESSICA CASTILLO (11), |
39 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371 – Conspiracy)
Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1955)
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 856(a)(1))
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Conspiracy Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*TRI MINH VO, (1), |
37 |
San Diego |
|
TIEN HONG HONG LE (2), |
58 |
Phoenix, AZ |
|
DONG VAN NGUYEN (3), |
43 |
San Diego |
|
*DANG VAN NGUYEN (4), |
53 |
San Diego |
|
*MICHELLE SALVADORE EDWARDS (5), |
48 |
San Ysidro |
|
*KHANG DINH NGUYEN (6), |
45 |
San Diego |
|
*LEETRI DANG (7), |
36 |
San Diego |
|
*KE VAN TRAN (8), |
57 |
San Diego |
|
*KIARA PORSHA EASLEY (9), |
28 |
San Diego |
|
TO VAN LAI (10), |
42 |
San Diego |
|
CU VAN HUYN (11), |
39 |
San Diego |
|
*DAPHNE NICOLE RIVERA (12), |
45 |
El Cajon |
|
*WILLIAM VANNA BOUNSAVATH (13) |
34 |
San Diego |
|
*ALMA SOCORRO SILVA (14), |
48 |
San Diego |
|
TONY NGUYEN (15) |
40 |
San Diego |
Maximum Penalties: For Illegal Gambling Business Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises Charges: Five years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1111-H
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371 – Conspiracy)
Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1955)
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 856(a)(1))
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Conspiracy Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Illegal Gambling Business Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises Charges: Five years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1110-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*JIMMY HUI BANH (1), |
43 |
San Diego |
|
JOSE ANTONIO TORRESDAY (2), |
29 |
San Diego |
|
TINA SENKET (3), |
33 |
San Diego |
|
JIMMY LU (4), |
54 |
San Diego |
|
*ARCADIO MAMURI CRUZ (5), |
36 |
San Diego |
|
*MARK ANONAS ARCELAO (6), |
28 |
Jacksonville, Florida |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371 – Conspiracy)
Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1955)
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 856(a)(1))
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Maximum Penalties: For Conspiracy Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Illegal Gambling Business Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises Charges: Five years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charges: Ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Case Number 21CR1112-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*LE THI LE (1), |
70 |
San Diego |
|
PHOUNG THANH BUI (2) |
45 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371 – Conspiracy)
Illegal Gambling Business (Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1955)
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 856(a)(1))
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Conspiracy Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Illegal Gambling Business Charge: Five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Maintaining Drug Involved Premises Charges: Five years’ imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1116-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*MARTA LIDIA GUTIERREZ |
27 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Importation of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952 & 960)
Maximum Penalties: Importation of Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1114-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*ENRIQUE SAMUEL DUENAS, |
28 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Importation of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952 & 960)
Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charges: Ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: Importation of Methamphetamine Charges: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1124-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*CESAR ALONZO VALLADOLID, |
36 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Importation of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952 & 960)
Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Charges: Life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charges: Ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Maximum Penalties: Importation of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1113-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
ARTHUR MARCELINO CASTILLO |
40 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charge: life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a $10 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1117-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*KEOUDONE INTHAVONG |
47 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Possession with Intent to Distribute/Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine Charges: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1123-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*WILLIAM HENRY SCOVALL, |
24 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge: Ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Case Number 21CR1115-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*JULIUS GREENOGE |
39 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge: 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Case Number 21CR1119-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*PHINATH PETER KHVANN, |
44 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Felon in Possession of a Firearm (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge: Ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Case Number 21CR1118-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
*PHONETHIP PETE INTHAVONG |
50 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Possession with Intent to Distribute (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute Charge: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1121-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
DAVID LIBANAN OPHEIM, |
46 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Possession with Intent to Distribute (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Possession with Intent to Distribute Charge: 40 years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a $5 million fine.
Case Number 21CR1120-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
THANH NGUYEN, |
46 |
Poway |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Felon in Possession of a Firearms and Ammunition (18, U.S.C., Secs. 922(g)(1)
and 924(a)(2))
Maximum Penalties: For Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition Charges: years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
Case Number 21CR1122-H
|
Name |
Age |
Hometown |
|
SEAN MICHAEL RIED (1) |
33 |
San Diego |
|
TUNG NGOC NGUYEN (2) |
24 |
San Diego |
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Distribution of Methamphetamine (Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 841(a)(1))
Maximum Penalties: For Distribution of Methamphetamine Charge: Forty years’ imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
AGENCIES
Members on the Violent Crimes Task Force
FBI
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Sheriff’s Department
Internal Revenue Service
Homeland Security Investigations
National City Police Department
Chula Vista Police Department
Federal Bureau of Prisons
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
San Diego County Probation
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Additional partner agencies participating in the takedown.
Drug Enforcement Administration
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
U.S. Marshals Service
California Bureau of Gambling Control
San Diego City Attorney’s Office
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source & photo credit: DOJ
