OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

San Diego, California

Acting United States Attorney

Alana W. Robinson

For Further Information, Contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd W. Robinson (619) 546-7994

For Immediate Release

Massive Strike Against Violent Street Gangs in San Diego

County Results in Federal Charges Against 140-plus Gang
Members and Associates in Less Than Three Months

Sixteen members and associates of Escondido-based Diablos street gang are charged with firearms
and methamphetamine trafficking in most recent case

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY May 3, 2017

SAN DIEGO, CA A crackdown on violent street gangs in San Diego County over the last 75 days has
resulted in federal charges against more than 140 gang members and associates, many of whom are
accused of terrorizing neighborhoods with shootings, robberies and other violent crimes.

More than 60 firearms and 30 pounds of methamphetamine, plus cash and other illicit drugs were
seized by law enforcement during the course of four long-term gang investigations that culminated this
spring with various indictments charging crimes such as racketeering, money laundering and gun, drug
or sex trafficking.

This is an unusually large number of gang members arrested in a very short period of time, said
Acting U.S. Attorney Alana W. Robinson. The sheer number of arrests illustrates that gangs are a
significant problem in this county. But it also underscores our enormous commitment to use every tool
we have to attack this problem and restore communities to families who should not have to live in fear
in their own homes.

The most recent charges, unsealed this week in federal court, involve the prosecution of 16 members
and associates of the Escondido-based Diablos street gang. The defendants are facing various drug
trafficking offenses.

According to court records, in the last year the Diablos gang has been responsible for more than 25
gang-related shootings, multiple attempted murders, dozens of armed robberies, multiple instances of
witness intimidation and the widespread distribution of narcotics and firearms in North San Diego
County.

This investigation helped to identify and locate Dionicio Torrez, a Diablos gang member, as the
suspected shooter of Cathy Kennedy, who was fatally wounded by gang gunfire March 7 as she drove
home from church in Escondido.

The case involved a total of 13 wiretaps, the interception of over 20,000 telephone calls and text
messages and the seizure of approximately 13 pounds of high-quality methamphetamine and 10 rifles
and handguns, including 4 AR-15 type rifles, an AK-47 rifle, an SKS rifle and 2 handguns, one of
which had an obliterated serial number.

The Diablos Enterprise claims control of the eastern and north central areas of Escondido. The
approximate boundaries of the territory they claim is Lincoln Avenue to the north, Grand Avenue to the
south, Midway Drive to the to the east and Escondido Boulevard to the west. There are approximately
311 documented members of the Diablos Enterprise and an additional 400 individuals who are
associates of the Diablos Enterprise.

The four proactive gang cases involved months of federal wiretaps, extensive surveillance and scores
of undercover drug and gun buys. Defendants were charged with crimes ranging from money
laundering and racketeering to heroin, methamphetamine, firearms and sex trafficking.

When members of criminal street gangs are arrested during joint operations, the San Diego County
District Attorneys Office reviews their criminal histories and coordinates with the U.S. Attorneys
Office to determine where a defendant would be most appropriately prosecuted, said Chief Deputy
DA Summer Stephan, who oversees the DAs Gangs Division. In essence, we collaborate to get the
most effective bang for our prosecutorial buck and make sure justice is served, whether that happens on
the state or federal side.

The arrests in these investigations illustrate that when there is violence and drug trafficking in our
communities, it will be dealt with swiftly, said DEA San Diego Special Agent in Charge William R.
Sherman. Local and federal agencies will combine resources and do what is necessary to ensure the
safety of our citizens. DEA will continue to partner with local agencies to rid our neighborhoods of
drug traffickers and all the related crime they bring to our communities.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum stated, Dismantling violent
gangs is a continuing priority for the FBI. We share an unwavering commitment with our law
enforcement partners to address the dangerous threat facing our communities today. The impact of our
recent gang cases clearly demonstrates our focus and determination to strike at gang related enterprises
and to eliminate the terror these groups inflict on our neighborhoods.

Our communities are safer because of ATFs expanded efforts to target and dismantle criminal gangs
and organized criminal enterprises that use firearms and violent acts to further their illegal gains, said
ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric Harden. ATF and its partners are
dedicated to carrying out our mission by ridding our communities of these gang members and
associates who shatter families and destroy lives.

Our agency plays a unique role in federal law enforcements resolve to dismantle the criminal gang
enterprises terrorizing our streets. Our agents target the profit and financial gains of these
organizations, following the money in an effort to disrupt these organizations and restore order to our
communities, stated Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe for IRS Criminal Investigation. We
are proud to provide this financial expertise as we work alongside our law enforcement partners to
bring these criminals to justice."

The success of these cases is due to the collaborative effort of our federal, state and local partners
working in task forces in order to leverage resources provided by the Office of National Drug Control
Policy and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which are federal anti-drug
programs. The OCDETF program was created to consolidate and coordinate all law enforcement
resources in this country's
battle against gangs, major drug trafficking rings, drug kingpins and money launderers.

DEFENDANTS

Case Number: 17CR1071-BEN

Gustavo Cisneros Age: 38 Vista

Rafael Zamora Age: 33 Vista

Case Number: 17CR1070-BEN

Gustavo Cisneros Age: 38 Vista

Eduardo Rojo Age: 32 Tijuana, Mexico
David Bollschweiler Age: 55 Escondido
Jesus Salazar Age: 23 Chula Vista
Case Number: 17CR1069-BEN

Gustavo Cisneros Age: 38 Vista

David Bollschweiler Age: 55 Escondido
Leonel Ayala-Arambula Age: 47 El Cajon

Case Number: 17CR1068-BEN

Augustine Aragon Age: 23 Escondido

Francisco Torres-Cortez Age: 27 San Marcos
Sarah Hudgins Age: 27 San Marcos

Case Number: 17CR1067-BEN

Gustavo Cisneros Age: 38 Vista

Adrian Nieves Garcia Age: 22 San Diego
Fredy Cruz Age: 30 San Diego

Case Number: 17CR1066-BEN

Augustine Aragon Age: 23 Escondido

Marcia Cervantes Age: 27 Escondido

SUMMARY OF CHARGE COMMON TO ALL ABOVE CASES

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 846 and 841(a)
(1).
Penalty: Mandatory-minimum of 10 years, up to life in prison.

DEFENDANTS Case Number: 17MJ1232

Charles Osterholtz Age: 55 Escondido

Justin Cartwright Age: 27 Escondido
David Trejo Age: 27 Escondido

SUMMARY OF CHARGE

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 846 and 841(a)
(1).
Penalty: Mandatory-minimum of 5 years, up to 40 years in prison.

SUMMARY OF CHARGE

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. Sections 846 and 841(a)
(1).
Penalty: Mandatory-minimum of 5 years, up to 40 years in prison.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

DEA
Escondido Police Department
ATF
San Diego County Sheriffs Department
North County Regional Gang Task Force

*A complaint or indictment is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged.
The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of
proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.