News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2005

Operation Skyline Targets Troubled Area
In South East San Diego

The area in and around the Meadowbrook Apartments in South East San Diego has been affected by drug- and gang-related violence in recent months. In response to this situation, a partnership of local, state and federal agencies initiated Operation Skyline, targeting the drug dealers and gang members in the neighborhood.

Today, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, DEA Special Agent in Charge John S. Fernandes and San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced that on August 23, 2005 members of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Narcotic Team, the DEA Mobile Enforcement Team (DEA), and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (DA), working together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO), the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General (HUD), and the San Diego County Health and Human Services Child Protective Services (CPS) brought to a close the 6-month undercover investigation centered around the Meadowbrook Apartment complex at Paradise Valley Road and Meadowbrook Drive in San Diego, California.

DEA Special Agent in Charge John S. Fernandes said of the deployment,” The success of this deployment sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies in San Diego will aggressively confront drug dealers and gangsters who bring violence into our communities”. He added, “Methamphetamine fuels much of this violence and must be dealt with from a united front”.

During the course of the operation over 75 Drug Exhibits were seized and 45 people were arrested on drug and gun charges. In excess of 15 pounds of high-grade “ice” methamphetamine, two (2) ounces of “black tar” heroin, approximately 10 ounces of cocaine, more than $36,000 cash, 9 weapons, and three vehicles were seized. Additionally, San Diego County Child Protective Services responded to 9 Drug Endangered Children (DEC) cases.

DEFENDANTS

Name/ Year of Birth

1. AGUILERA, Jose Ruiz 1979
2. ALVAREZ, Samuel 1986
3. AMAYA-Ortiz, Jaime Javier 1961
4. ANDERSON, Lonnie Darnell 1968
5. BELL, James Earl 1966
6. CHAIDEZ, Guillermo 1979
7. CORAL, Manuel Alejandro 1970
8. CRUZ, Jose Carmelo 1981
9. CUNNINGHAM, Clifton 1962
10. DIXON, Jimmy Ray 1960
11. GARCIA-Valenzuela, Marina 1972
12. GONZALES, Edward Jr. 1974
13. GONZALES, Myrna 1971
14. LOPEZ-Santos, Jesus Rutilio 1979
15. JAFF, Agir Dyary 1969
16. JASSO, Pascual Medina 1960
17. JENNINGS, Teresa Lynn 1956
18. JORDAN, Rodney 1957
19. MARQUEZ, Paul Peter 1955
20. MARQUEZ, Ricardo 1974
21. MARTINEZ-MENDEZ, Oscar Ivan1984
22. McKENZIE, Valerie 1981
23. MICHEL, Sotero Francisco III 1985
24. MICHEL, Sotero Jr. 1958
25. MURPHY, Shawn Michael 1964
26. MUNIZ-Romero, Enrique 1983
27. OREJEL-Carrillo, Manuel 1975
28. OREJEL-Mora, Salvador 1979
29. PLACENCIA, Gustavo 1973
30. PINEDA-Flores, Saturino 1967
31. QUINTERO-LOPEZ, Joel 1970
32. RAMIREZ, Maria Isabel 1974
33. REYES, Jorge 1980
34. RODRIGUEZ, Ismael 1966
35. ROSADO, Carlos Ortiz 1962
36. RUIZ, Soccoro Sanchez 1959
37. SALAS, Jorge 1971
38. SANDOVAL, Ronnie 1967
39. SCHMIDT, Yvonne Rosas 1975
40. TEC, Carlos Arturo 1965
41. WILSON, Gene Steven 1961
42. WOODRING, Rene Eugene 1960
43. VASQUEZ, Michelle 1980
44. VELARDE, Francisco Javier 1975
45. VILLEGAS, Jose 1974

CHARGES:

H&S 11377 – Possession of Methamphetamine
H&S 11378 – Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale
H&S 11379 – Sale of Methamphetamine
H&S 11350 – Possession of Cocaine/Heroin
H&S 11351 – Possession of Cocaine/Heroin for Sale
H&S 11352 – Sale of Cocaine/Heroin
PC 273 – Child Endangerment
PC 12020 – Possession of a Firearm
PC 12021 – Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Point of Contact
Special Agent Misha Piastro
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
(858)616-4166

**NOTE**: B-roll footage and photos available upon request.