News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2007

Members and Associates of the Campanella Park Piru Bloods Charged with Drug Trafficking Conspiracy in Second Wave of Operation Crimson Vex – Arrests in Oregon and Los Angeles

NOV 28 -- Twelve people charged federally in connection with an interstate narcotics conspiracy were arrested this morning in Oregon and Palmdale , California , announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles , Thomas P. O’Brien, United States Attorney for Los Angeles and Timothy Landrum, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Los Angeles.

The twelve defendants arrested today by agents with the FBI and the DEA are alleged members or associates of the Los Angeles-based Campanella Park Piru Bloods street gang. Some of the defendants are alleged members of the Los Angeles-based Westside Piru Bloods, and at least one is an alleged member of the Gangster Disciples in Portland , Oregon . In addition, four federal search warrants were executed in Eugene , Oregon , in connection with Operation Crimson Vex. At one of the search locations, agents executing the warrant uncovered and seized over eighty marijuana plants.

Those arrested today were charged in a sealed indictment returned on November 1, 2007 , by a federal grand jury convened in Los Angeles . The indictment alleges the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Some defendants are charged with possession with intent to distribute illegal narcotics. According to the indictment, defendants allegedly purchased cocaine in Compton , California , and then transported the cocaine to Portland , Oregon , for further distribution. In addition, some of the defendants allegedly purchased marijuana grown in Oregon , and then transported the marijuana to Los Angeles for distribution. Those arrested today include:

Emily Louise Silvestri, of Eugene , Oregon

Michael Darnell Thomas, of Portland , Oregon

Jeuan Jarrard Marks, 32, of Milwaukee , Oregon

Lindsay Anne Schumacher, 31, of Milwaukee , Oregon

Krystle Alwana Harris, 25, of Portland , Oregon

Eric Dushon Lewis, 38, of Compton, was arrested in Palmdale, California

Eugene Pomlee Miller, of Eugene , Oregon

Demarcos Wright, 28, of Eugene , Oregon

Barry Lloyd Williams, 28, of Eugene , Oregon

Four individuals charged in the indictment are fugitives:

Adrian Cavett Stafford, 28, of Eugene , Oregon

Kenyan Terrance Payne, 39, of Compton .

(Payne was also charged in the first phase of Crimson Vex)

Joseph Cornelius McDonald, of Portland , Oregon

Dawnee Shea Parks Miller, 19, of Eugene , Oregon

The majority of the defendants arrested today will be afforded an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in either Eugene or Portland , Oregon . Defendant Eric Dushon Lewis will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles .

Today’s law enforcement activity represents the second phase of Operation Crimson Vex. In the first phase, arrest warrants were executed on November 6 th based on an indictment returned in Los Angeles charging 20 alleged members and associates of the Campanella Park Piru Blood street gang and alleged members of the Black Mafia Family (known as “BMF”), a gang with roots in Detroit , Michigan . In that indictment, defendants were charged for their participation in a multi-state conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and phencyclidine (PCP). In that indictment, defendants trafficked in kilogram quantities of cocaine in the Campanella Park area of Compton , California . The Campanella Park Piru Bloods allegedly supplied BMF members who would then transport cocaine, heroin and PCP from Los Angeles , for distribution to areas including St. Louis , Missouri and Atlanta , Georgia , according to the indictments. Defendants in phase one of Operation Crimson Vex were arrested in areas of Los Angeles , as well as St. Louis , Missouri and Georgia . There are three fugitives in that case. Kenyan Terrance Payne, who was charged in both indictments, is a fugitive, as are the following defendants:

Daniel Corral, 33, of Culver City , California

Demond Lee, 29, of St. Louis , Missouri .

Prior to today’s law enforcement actions, several search warrants were executed in connection with this investigation. In addition to over $1 million in seizable assets that have been identified throughout the investigation, the following has been seized in connection with this case:

• Approximately 6 kilograms of cocaine, 1/4 kilogram of crack-cocaine, 80 pounds of marijuana, and gram quantities of methamphetamine.
• Approximately $860,000 United States Currency (USC).
• Approximately 8 firearms.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.

Today’s operation is the result of a joint investigation by the Southern California Drug Task Force, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) comprised of agents with the FBI and DEA. The investigation is being worked in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, the FBI and the DEA in Oregon , and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force. Officers and deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department and the Oregon State Police provided assistance during today’s operation.  

Adrian Cavett Stafford	Kenyan Terrance Payne, Sr.	Demond Lee
Joseph Cornelius McDonald	Dawnee Shea Parks Miller	Daniel Corral

MEDIA CONTACT:

FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343 or

U.S. Attorney’s Office: Thom Mrozek: 213 894-6947

DEA: Jose Martinez: 213 725-3884

###