Public Safety
FBI: Nine charged after alleged Pomona murder and extortion plot
Authorities say the case grew from a July shooting in Pomona and an alleged demand for money to end a threat of violence and return a vehicle.
Nine people have been charged in an alleged murder conspiracy and extortion scheme tied to Pomona, the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office announced October 7. Eight defendants are alleged associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang; the ninth is accused of removing spent ammunition casings after an attempted killing.
Arrests: Six defendants were taken into custody October 7
Status: Two defendants were being sought; one was already incarcerated on unrelated charges
Prosecution: Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Prison Crimes Unit
Investigators describe a July shooting
According to the FBI, the investigation began after a gunman allegedly fired 12 to 15 rounds toward a person driving on a residential street in Pomona. The intended victim's vehicle and another vehicle parked outside a church were struck, authorities said.
The FBI said the victim had been threatened over an alleged debt, barred from entering Pomona or illegal casinos under threat of death and deprived of a vehicle as part of the alleged extortion. Investigators say the victim was later told to pay $2,000 to lift the threat and arrange the vehicle's return.
Cash, drugs and firearms seized
Search warrants served during the investigation and the October 7 operation led to the seizure of about $200,000 in cash, methamphetamine and 11 firearms that lacked serial numbers or had obliterated serial numbers, according to the FBI.
The case was investigated by the FBI's San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Bureau. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Official source: FBI Los Angeles →