Lots of planning

Drug sweep months in the making
RICHMOND: Raid follows summer of surveillance; police arrest at least 16 suspects

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

A summer-long collaboration between the FBI and local police led to Wednesday's massive law enforcement raid in North Richmond, federal records show.

Authorities used hidden cameras and recording devices to record drug transactions between paid informants and suspects in August and September, providing the evidence that triggered the sweeps in North Richmond, Richmond and Vallejo.

At least 16 people were arrested Wednesday and early Thursday. Six suspects appeared before a federal magistrate in San Francisco on drug-dealing charges Thursday, after which their indictments and search-warrant affidavits were unsealed.

"The investigation ... focused on narcotics trafficking and violence perpetrated by members and associates of a criminal street gang that claims North Richmond ... as its territory and which is responsible for much of the crime that occurs in the area," FBI Special Agent Doug Hunt wrote in an affidavit.

More than 200 FBI agents, Contra Costa sheriff's deputies and Richmond police converged on the crime-ridden enclave, sweeping through houses on Second, Giaramita and Truman streets and Duboce Avenue.

They confiscated crack cocaine, methamphetamine and cocaine, along with a shotgun and more than $10,000 in cash, said Luke Macauley, assistant U.S. attorney.

The suspects were associated with subdivisions of the Project Trojan street gang, which police say has controlled street drug trade in North Richmond for two decades. Some were indicted by a federal grand jury, while others were charged by prosecutors:

• Antonio Latauris Hendrix Jr., 30, was indicted by a grand jury on suspicion of distributing 26.6 grams of methamphetamine;

• Warren Steven Smith, 38, was indicted on suspicion of distributing 6.8 grams of crack cocaine;

• Michael Louise Black Jr., 33, was indicted on suspicion of distributing 2.2 grams of crack cocaine;

• Jeffrey Eugene Brown, 37, was charged with distributing 92.5 grams of crack cocaine;

• Fred Leon Wiggins, 26, and Dosie Dee King, 37, were charged with conspiring to distribute and distributing 13.6 grams of crack cocaine;

• Carl Leon Nix Jr., 35, was charged with distributing 3.4 grams of crack cocaine.

King was arrested Thursday morning and did not appear in court. Nine other people were arrested by local authorities, Contra Costa sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee said, all on suspicion of offenses such as loitering in a drug-dealing area, bothering a police dog or parole violations.

The sweep was the third large law enforcement action in North Richmond this year. In March, a two-year federal wiretap investigation netted several mid- and high-level drug-dealing suspects, while a sweep in February resulted in state charges for a half-dozen drug-dealing suspects.

Authorities say the large law enforcement sweeps help weed out gang members and weaken their hold on the community.

Staff writer Bruce Gerstman contributed to this report. Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

Latest on North Richmond ops

Multiagency drug raid results in 15 arrests North Richmond operation aims to make the area safer

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

More than 200 police and federal agents kicked down doors and chased suspects from drug corners Wednesday in North Richmond's third massive law enforcement raid this year.

SWAT teams charged through several houses near the corner of Fifth Street and Market Avenue in the unincorporated enclave about 10 a.m., using flash-bang grenades to clear rooms and ordering occupants out at gunpoint.

"Our goal is to make North Richmond a safer place by combating drugs and violence," Contra Costa sheriff's Lt. Kitty Parker said. "With the drug sales comes the violence: murders, shootings, stabbings. We're here to arrest the people who are creating the problems."

Authorities sought to serve 11 federal drug indictments and 13 search warrants, results of a long-term inquiry into North Richmond's street drug trade. Local agencies also sought several other suspects in connection with state warrants and unresolved investigations.

By afternoon, authorities arrested 15 people on suspicion of various offenses, including seven of those indicted on federal charges.

Authorities named no suspects Wednesday. The FBI will identify its suspects today, when they appear before a federal magistrate in Oakland, Special Agent Joe Schadler said.

"They needed to do something. There's just too much killing around here," said Roselyn Knowles, in the crowd of onlookers at Fifth and Market. "They need to get those guns off the street so I can get to the store."

Like many residents, Knowles rounded a corner Wednesday morning and found herself face to face with rifle-carrying men in olive-drab jumpsuits and ballistic vests. Sheriff's deputies, Richmond police, and FBI agents from Portland, Ore., Sacramento and Los Angeles participated in the raids.

"Enough is enough. The citizens of North Richmond will no longer tolerate violence and drugs in their community," said Dave Johnson, assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's San Francisco field office. "And we're here to show that local, state and federal law enforcement are in their corner."

Crushing poverty, drug dealing and endemic street violence have plagued this community of 4,500 for decades. Detectives have investigated five homicides here this year, and Richmond police say they believe friction between street factions in North Richmond and Richmond's Iron Triangle neighborhood caused several additional killings within city limits.

Most of the search warrants served Wednesday were for buildings within a 13-block radius of Fifth and Market, one of the community's most active drug corners and the scene of its most recent killing.

Votive candles and teddy bears from the street shrine for Shawn Melson toppled as police streamed through the door of Rancho market, a few paces from where the 16-year-old died in a drive-by shooting Sept. 10.

Houses also were raided near Hilltop mall and in the Richmond Annex neighborhood, Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan said.

Authorities confiscated nearly a pound of methamphetamine and one replica firearm in the raids. Nobody was hurt.

Schadler described the investigation preceding the raid as an extension of a multiagency wiretap investigation of drug dealing associated with the Project Trojan street gang. That probe culminated in a similar raid in March, and nine federal indictments.

A separate sheriff's investigation in February culminated in a similar sweep with similar indictments from a Contra Costa grand jury.

Schadler said Wednesday's actions did not necessarily target gang members.

"These major operations do help to dismantle these organizations," Gagan said. "But at the same time, we hope to also empower the community to take back its streets. That's essential. It would be tragic to lose all the progress we have made."

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

Crackdown!

Cops show force in North Richmond drug raid

More than 200 agents from the FBI, Contra Costa Sheriff's Office and Richmond Police Department raided more than a dozen homes in and around unincorporated North Richmond early today to crack down on drug trade.

Authorities executed 13 search warrants and were seeking 11 people on federal drug warrants. In a large show of force, SWAT teams entered several houses at Fifth Street and Market Avenue, using flash-bang grenades to clear rooms.

The 10 a.m. raid also targeted corner markets that are hot spots where much of North Richmond's street-level drug dealing occurs.

County sheriff's Lt. Kitty Parker said the raid is part of her agency's continuous efforts to manage street dealings and to be visible.

"We're dedicated to cleaning this place up," she said. "When we come to serve these warrants we're not just hitting the houses, we're also going to the corners."

The action was the second large raid involving federal authorities this year.

-- Karl Fischer

Food for thought from today's Times

Not mayor material

Gayle McLaughlin's statements at council meetings and in campaign brochures or newspaper articles reflect a very narrow approach to solving Richmond's major problems.

She says poor leadership by the mayor and City Council members is responsible for crime, violence, bad streets, and reduced economic opportunities or growth in Richmond. She believes these problems can be addressed through taxing businesses.

She also says she refuses to take funds from companies or to dialog with even the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, an organization largely comprised of small and medium businesses, nonprofit agencies and concerned individuals, fearing this might taint her.

An announced environmentalist and Green Party member, McLaughlin should examine the nationwide approach of an increasing number of environmental groups partnering with business and finding it's good for business and the environment.

One such group, the Business Environmental Leadership Council, was noted in a recent Times article.

For McLaughlin to promise to build a better Richmond by cutting dialog with businesses and other groups representing views different from her own sounds like Bush's approach to government: not talking with people having divergent points of view.

McLaughlin says she needs to learn more about Richmond's needs, and she's right, but not as Richmond's mayor.

William R. (Bob) Dabney
Richmond

Mysterious mystery & other discussions

You're all still grounded, by the way.

But once moderation went back up, the nonsense dried up...we hope...

Then this came in:

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thoughtful solutions said...
http://www.gaylemclaughlin.net/press-CCT_07-29-06.htm

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Yes, that's it. No commentary, no explanation. We sat around the cool kids table in the Tazer cafeteria, wondering over our coffee what to make of it. Spam? Propaganda? Or an earnest request by a campaign for Tazer attention? Only "thoughtful solutions" knows for sure.

We're not in the business of endorsements...yet. Our goal is to make sure you're informed and aware, such that you can hold your elected officials accountable for their behavior. We want you to hold their feet to the fire when they do wrong, and hold their feet to the fire when they do right. And when they do right, please be sure to support them on Election Day because your vote doesn't mean anything unless you use it.

There are different trains of thought and opinion on the Tazer, but we tend to strongly agree where it counts. A general consensus here is that crime IS a problem in Richmond, and that law enforcement IS a solution, but not the ONLY solution. What else can be done?

Just like a gardener spraying for weeds, we think that city government can do certain things to make the environment inhospitable to crime. Several come to mind immediately: reversing blight, maintaining streets and lights, supporting parks and community centers, attracting new businesses, encouraging business growth, and fostering employment opportunities.

Most of these activities are well within the scope of city government, but then some are probably better suited to city-involved cooperative or private efforts. Simply having an empty space and able-bodied workers available won't be enough to attract a business. Unsuitable conditions that city government can affect -- crime, taxation, regulation, and competition for resources, to name a few -- will have an impact on that vacancy and continued unemployment.

We at the Tazer are of various minds about reaching at-risk youths, but wonder some of the same things...

1) How much of these efforts should be at the City of Richmond's expense, and how will they be funded?
2) How much of these efforts can existing organizations and businesses fulfill?
3) Would new businesses be able to help, especially if they were willing to train and hire people?
4) Would city programs for employment be fulfilling genuine city functions, or would they be "make-work" jobs?
5) Would city programs for employment be competing with businesses for applicants?
6) What are the expectations of the city regarding crime reduction once any programs are instituted?

As taxpayers and residents of Richmond, we have questions. Do any Richmond politicians or candidates have answers?

Foul Play

Richmond police arrest murder suspect

By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

RICHMOND - Police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of murder in the strangulation death of his wife in their South 18th Street home.

Authorities first thought 47-year-old Marilyn Mays died in a medical emergency, police Lt. Mark Gagan said. Someone called 911 about 2:15 a.m. to report she was not breathing.

Paramedics took her to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. But an autopsy later in the day revealed she was the victim of foul play, Gagan said.

Detectives interviewed the victim's husband, Pierre Mays and, after finding evidence during a search of their home, arrested him and booked him into County Jail in Martinez.

Gagan said domestic issue preceded the killing, the 37th reported this year in Richmond.

We Turn Our Backs For ONE MINUTE and...

Sadly, less than one day after lifting comment moderation, what was supposed to be insightful conversation and debate spiraled very quickly into the very garbage that we try to avoid.

Therefore, we have no other choice than to turn comment moderation back on to keep things focused and on topic. To those readers and posters who follow the rules, we're sorry, but someone has to step up and keep things clean.

And to those of you who cause the trouble: You should truly be ashamed of yourselves.

RTT

Because you kids have been behaving...

...we're going on a little vacation.

This isn't carte blanche to wild out, but we officially declare the comments attached to this post as an open thread. Feel free to comment without hinderance of moderation for the next couple days. Just please keep it on topic and family-friendly because, as always, we reserve the right to delete the unruly and restore moderation controls.

Glimmer of hope

Peace Camp Remains Resolute Despite Nearby Homicide

RICHMOND, Calif. (KCBS) -- Activists living in a tent city in Richmond as part of an anti-violence vigil will not abandon their site after an early morning homicide occurred across the street Friday.

Travante James, 20, was found dead in his car with multiple gunshot wounds around 4:30 a.m. in the 400 block of South 41st Street. The activists say their resolve has not faltered and they will continue their campaign until the city’s homicide rate is zero.

"We will not be deterred. Our resolve is strong, we're going to stay the course because our theme is we want our children to live," Reverend Andre Shoemake told KCBS’ George Harris.

"You have seen a community, coming together saying enough is enough, we're tired of this madness and we want our children to live."

The peace camp near John F. Kennedy Park is one of four in the city. Michael Ali, a local activist is also a member of the camp, his niece a homicide victim in 2005.

"We're spiritual warriors and this place is holy ground,” Ali said. "As opposed to being angry I come here to honor the families, I come here to honor the youth and the young people who have tragically died for nothing."

Shoemake is certain the camps are having a positive impact on the community. "When men and women of good will come together, the impossible becomes possible. We are going to reach zero homicides in the city of Richmond."

He added that it’s time disadvantaged communities call for change. "We've always gone along with the notion that the things that are happening within African American communities, low income communities of color is just the way it is. I submit to you that it's not the way that it is, it's the way we've allowed it to be."

Victim #36 identified

MAN SHOT TO DEATH:

A man was shot and killed in a Richmond parking lot late Saturday, police said.

Omar Villalobos, 31, of Richmond, was found dead about 11:15 p.m. in the parking lot of a cleaning business at 23rd Street and Esmond Avenue, Richmond police Lt. Enos Johnson said. The victim had no connection with the business, which was closed at the time.

Police said Villalobos was standing with other people in the parking lot when a vehicle approached. Three people exited the vehicle and a conversation ensued.

The victim began to walk away when one of the three pulled a handgun and shot the victim in the upper body, Johnson said.

The assailant and other two men left in a possibly light-colored American-model vehicle, police said.

Anyone with information can call Richmond police at 510-620-6933.

-- Scott Marshall

Breaking news: #36

Shooting death in Richmond

A man was shot and killed in a Richmond parking lot late Saturday, police said.

The 30-year-old victim, whose name has not yet been released, was found dead about 11:15 p.m. in the parking lot of a cleaning business at 23rd Street and Esmond Avenue, said Richmond police Lt. Enos Johnson. The victim had no connection with the business, which was closed at the time.

Police said the victim was standing with other people in the parking lot when a vehicle approached. Three people exited the vehicle and a conversation ensued.

The victim began to walk away when one of the three pulled a handgun and shot the victim in the upper body, Johnson said.

The assailant and other two men left in a possibly light-colored American-model vehicle, police said.

Anyone with information can call Richmond police at 510-620-6933.

-- Scott Marshall