On June 13th, a federal grand jury returned federal indictments on eight subjects, charging them with distributing methamphetamine and weapons charges. Four of these indictments were a result of a year-long investigation directly resulting from ‘Operation Wonder Bread’ which ended October 2018, in Susanville.
According to details released by local law enforcement Manuel “Rascal” Perez, Jorge Zarte, Gregorio “Grouch” Rojas, and Erick “Sapo” Perez are members of the street gang Big Orland Trece and were the main suppliers of methamphetamine and heroin to Susanville.
Chief Kevin Jones and Sheriff Dean Growden gave the following statement, “We want to express our sincere appreciation to all of the local, state, and federal agencies involved in this operation. These complex investigations would not be possible without these strong partnerships as well as the unwavering commitment to public safety exhibited by everyone involved.”
This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Service Unit, CDCR Adult Parole, CDCR High Desert State Prison Investigations, California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento County Probation, Sacramento Police Department, Susanville Police Department, Lassen County Sheriff’s Department, Bureau of Land Management, North State Major Investigations Team, Glenn County Sheriff’s Department, Glenn County Probation, Glenn County Investigation Task Force, Reno Police Department and Tehama County Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, defendants Garcia, Reyes, Padilla, Jiminez-Sevilla, Manuel Rubin Perez, Rojas, and Zarate face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Defendant Erick Perez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison.
Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
