September 22, 2011
ATF AND DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT ARREST 16 PEOPLE FOR FIREARMS AND/OR DRUG VIOLATIONS
DENVER – Sixteen people have been arrested by the ATF and the Denver Police Department during the past 72 hours for firearm or drug violations of federal and state law. Of the sixteen defendants, four are being prosecuted in federal court, and eleven are being prosecuted in state court. One juvenile was also arrested. There is also one federal fugitive. The defendants are members or associates of various local gangs in Denver. The four defendants arrested on federal charges were all indicted earlier this week by a federal grand jury in Denver.
During the investigation, agents and officers acting in an undercover capacity purchased 27 firearms.
Those arrested based on the grand jury indictments are:
* Gabriel E. Silva, age 34, of Denver. Silva is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
* Carl E. Peterson, age 47, of Denver. Peterson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
* Vincent Michael Valdez, age 25, of Denver. Valdez is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
* Curtis Alan David, age 22, of Denver. Davis is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
In addition to the four federal arrests, the following seven people have been arrested and will be prosecuted by the state. Note one of the seven defendants is a juvenile, and thus information about that arrest is not available. They are:
* Rudolfo Dominguez, age 20, of Denver
* Mheron Doage, age 20, of Denver
* Victor Amaro, age 20, of Denver
* Araceli DeLarosa-Quintana, age 38, of Denver
* Javier Ramos-Torres, age 30, of Denver
* Hector Toby Sifuentes, age 41, of Denver
The following four people were arrested for outstanding warrants during the enforcement action. They are:
* Martin DeLarosa, age 23, of Denver
* Esteban Castro, age 22, of Denver
* Ariel Randolph, age 19, of Denver
* Juan Lozano, age 18, of Denver
“Thanks to the hard work of all the agencies involved, 16 people who illegally use firearms or sell drugs have been apprehended and are now being prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “The streets of Denver will be safer as a result of this enforcement action.”
“This successful investigation with state and federal agencies focused on activities that threaten the well-being of our community,” said Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey. “These arrests send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated and those who would participate in gun and drug trafficking will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“This investigation is the result of the Denver Police Department and ATF working collectively to target violent offenders whose repeated involvement in illegal gun trafficking and narcotic sales threaten the safety of Denver residents,” said Marvin Richardson, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Denver Field Division. “The core mission of ATF is to eradicate violent crime by working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who criminally use firearms and promote violence in our communities.”
“The success of this joint operation between the Denver Police Department and the ATF has made our communities safer,” said Denver Police Chief Gerald Whitman. “We strongly believe we have adversely impacted the illegal gun and drug sales in Denver.”
If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the defendant faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Denver Police Department, the Aurora Police Department, the Lakewood Police Department, the Westminster Police Department, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service and their Fugitive Location and Apprehension Group (FLAG).
The federal defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Sibert. The state defendants are being prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney in charge of the gang unit Tim Twining.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.
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