Las Vegas, Nev. -  Numerous law enforcement agents from federal, state, and local agencies assisted in the execution of arrest and search warrants yesterday in Las Vegas in "Operation Armed and Dangerous," a multi-agency investigation involving gangs, unlawful drug distribution and money laundering in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada announces that earlier this week, arrest warrants for 13 individuals and search warrants for 6 locations in Las Vegas were issued by United States Magistrate Judges. As of today, twelve of the 13 have been arrested (all but one in the Las Vegas area), and officers recovered cocaine, marijuana, and numerous firearms during the searches. The names of the individuals arrested, the charges filed against them, and the locations where the search warrants were served are listed in Attachment A. For officer and public safety reasons, the arrest and search warrants remained sealed until the arrests were completed.

Agencies involved in the arrests, searches, seizures, and prosecution are:

• United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD)
• Henderson Police Department
• North Las Vegas Police Department
• State of Nevada Division of Investigation 
• Boulder City Police Department 
• City of Las Vegas Deputy City Marshal's Office
• United States Army National Guard R.A.I.D. Unit
• United States Marshals Service
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
  
• Nevada Highway Patrol
• Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
• Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives
• Clark County District Attorney's Office
• United States Attorney's Office

U.S. Attorney Bogden states, "The prosecution of drug offenses is a priority in the District of Nevada. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area ( HIDTA) are two important initiatives involving cooperative efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the investigations and prosecutions of persons who manufacture, possess, and distribute controlled substances in Nevada. This was a case that was successfully put together by the Southern Nevada HIDTA Gang Task Force Initiative. Due to the gang involvement, regional nexus and complexity of the organization, the case was designated for prosecution by our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force."

Tim Landrum, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the Las Vegas Divisional Office of the DEA states, "The HIDTA Gang Task Force and an additional coalition of agencies is an example of the true partnership that exists among federal, state, and local law enforcement in Nevada. We will continue to use any and all resources possible to target and bring to justice those involved in illegal drug trafficking and activity."

Clark County Sheriff Bill Young of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department states, "Yesterday's arrests mean we have now removed dangerous gang members off the streets. They were dealing in high-level narcotics trafficking that was a detriment to the Las Vegas community. I applaud the work of this multi-agency task force and its ability to make such a lasting impact by the arrests of these individuals."

The Southern Nevada HIDTA became operational in 2001. It is comprised of some of the above-named agencies and combines resources to combat drug-related crime. The lead investigative agencies on Operation Armed and Dangerous are the DEA and LVMPD. Operation Armed and Dangerous highlights the success of one of seven Southern Nevada HIDTA initiatives, the Clark County Gang Task Force. The other six Southern Nevada HIDTA initiatives are: the Major Drug Trafficking Organization Task Force; the Methamphetamine Task Force; the Club Drug Task Force; the Drug Interdiction Task Force; the Money Laundering and Asset Removal Task Force; and the Nevada Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (NV FIST).

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Nevada.

The public is reminded that a Criminal Complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 Attachment A

Names of Defendants Arrested & Charges Filed:

• Roxana Arteaga, age 20, 5650 Ruby Creek, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Davion Brooks, age 31, 6217 Waterleaf, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Arphaxad Carroll, age 33, 6040 Carlton Sea Court, North Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Kohath Carroll, age 30, 3926 Champagne Wood, North Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance
• Graylon Dillon, age 31, 3917 Blue Wave Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Damon James, age 24, 5250 E. Stewart Avenue, Building 11, Apt. 2081, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Johnny Jones, age 25, 9890 Ridgehaven Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• David Keith, age 29, 1236 Jefferson Street, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Jose Antonio Morales, age 24, 5650 Ruby Creek, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Lavonne Norwood, age 30, 6217 Waterleaf, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Money Laundering
• Eliso Villa, age 27, 16310 S. Caress Avenue, Compton, California
  Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Powder), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)
• Henry Villa-Chavez, age 25, 6930 S. Paradise Road, Apt. 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada
  Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base and Marijuana), Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Cocaine Base)

 

 Attachment A (Continued)

Search Warrant Locations:

6217 Waterleaf, Las Vegas, Nevada
6040 Carlton Sea, North Las Vegas, Nevada
3926 Champagne Wood, North Las Vegas, Nevada
4350 Terrace Hill, #206, Las Vegas, Nevada
2239 Cambridge Elms, Las Vegas, Nevada
3111 S. Valley View, Las Vegas, Nevada

Seizure Warrants were also issued for approximately four bank accounts and approximately 10 vehicles.

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