Operation Nightmare continues to target Norteños, prison gangs
A federal and local multi-agency crackdown on Norteños gang members continues to cripple the organization from top to bottom following the shooting deaths of six people in Goshen last month.
This week, officers from multiple local agencies along with Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, DEA and California prison officers arrested 26 people in various raids on homes and prison cells. In total, 18 arrest warrants were served, six firearms and an ounce of drugs were seized. A total of 97 homes were searched during the four-day operation. HSI provided a heavy-armored vehicle used in the searches.
"The focus of the operation was to conduct probation and parole compliance checks, as well as, arrest warrant services on known gang members throughout Tulare County," sheriff's spokeswoman Ashley Ritchie said.
On Friday, nine search warrants were served in the Visalia and Goshen areas targeting known Norteños gang members.
By noon, five firearms, ammunition, 2 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 ounce of cocaine, an illegal firearm manufacturing operation and gang indicia were found. The illegal firearm manufacturing operation consisted of gang members making and selling untraceable guns to other gang members, Ritchie said. Evidence seized included 80 polymer parts to assemble untraceable handguns, assault rifle parts to assemble untraceable AR-15-style firearms and parts to make a handgun fully automatic.
As the warrants were being served in Tulare County, the CDCR searched 23 cells holding Norteños and Nuestra Familia gang members throughout multiple prisons from Pelican Bay to Southern California. As a result, numerous cellphones, weapons and gang intelligence were seized from validated prison gang members.
Arrested Friday:
Jimmy Analla Jr, 31, Goshen
Possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of cocaine for sales
Carlos Garcia Jr., 25 , Visalia
Child Endangerment, possession of an assault weapon, manufacturing an illegal weapon, and gang enhancement.
Carlos Garcia Sr., 44, Visalia
Felon in possession of a firearm, gang enhancement
Julie Balderama, 27, Visalia
Child Endangerment
Rigoberto Benavides, 36, Visalia
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Patricia Flores, 30, Visalia
Possession of drug paraphernalia, parole violation
Michael Castro, 40, Visalia
Child endangerment, Prohibited person in possession of a firearm
Tommy Gonzales, 30, Visalia
Felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen firearm
Operation Nightmare
In total, six members of the Parraz family were shot and killed on Jan 16. Nearly all were killed execution style, including a 16-year-old girl and her 10-month-old baby. Surveillance video shows Alissa Parraz, 16, placing her son over a wooden fence then quickly jumping over a chain link fence. Two men slowly walked into frame. The mother and child were shot in the back of the head.
The suspects accused of gunning down the family were identified by law enforcement on Jan. 23 and were under 24-hour surveillance. Thousands of manhours led to their arrests.
From the start, investigators believed the shooters were from a rival gang. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux confirmed that the suspects are Norteños. Two members of the Parraz family were known Sureños, living in the predominately Norteños community of Goshen.
It's unclear if earlier mentions of cartel involved hold true.
“Motive is not exactly clear at this point,” Boudreaux said at the time.
After DNA confirmation and hours of collaboration with Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, a plan was put into place to arrest the men earlier this month.
Before most Tulare County residents had walked into work, Noah Beard and Angel Uriarte had been captured. During Operation Nightmare, local and federal law enforcement officers served three search warrants, two Goshen and one in Visalia. Eight prison cells across the state were also searched.
Beard, 25, surrendered peacefully to Tulare County deputies at a Visalia Home. Uriarte, 35, got into a shootout with ATF agents. Uriate was shot during the gun battle and taken to a nearby hospital, where he underwent surgery.
The suspect is expected to recover.
“I’m also thankful the murderer survived surgery,” Boudreaux said. “I’m hoping the death penalty moratorium is lifted and that at some point both these men face death.”
Beard pleased not guilty shortly after his arrest. On Tuesday, Uriarte was arraigned on multiple criminal charges including first-degree murder. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held on no bail.
The defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 20.
Boudreaux had a massage for the community at the time of the arrests.
“Law enforcement works for you. We’re family. We’re human beings. Our hearts are broken in cases like this, as well. We’re not the enemy,” he said. “I want the citizens of Tulare County to sleep a little safer tonight knowing that these baby killing murderers are off the streets.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Department at 733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Operation Nightmare continues to target Norteños, prison gangs
