Alleged gang members face drug, immigration charges

Updated: 05/06/2009 10:37:34 PM PDT


Fifteen alleged members of a Compton dope ring linked to the Mexican Mafia were charged Wednesday in state and federal courts with drug and immigration offenses, officials said.

Five of the men are charged in a federal indictment with distribution and/or conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, while four others are charged with being in the United States illegally following deportation after felony convictions. The other six are facing state charges of methamphetamine distribution.

"By shutting down a major source of drugs and weapons, these arrests will deal another hammer blow to the persistent violence that terrorizes Compton," Attorney General Jerry Brown said.

In the state case, Brian Lee Doyle, 42; Francisco Javier Rodriguez, 34, and Benjamin Rodriguez, 33, are scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse.

Doyle and Francisco Rodriguez are charged with transportation of methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for sale, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors were recommending that bail for the two be set at $1 million each.

Two other men charged along with Doyle and Francisco Rodriguez are still wanted.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Rodriguez is charged with transportation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of methamphetamine for sale. Prosecutors were asking for his bail to be set at $250,000.

Those charged with methamphetamine distribution in the federal case are Oscar Ceballos, 31, of Los Angeles; Noe Chairez , 28, of Los Angeles; Denisio Delgado, 33, of Los Angeles; Daniel Alberto Gonzalez, 30, of Los Angeles; Jorge Torres, 20, of Los Angeles; and David Zavala, 22, of Los Angeles.

In addition, four men — Victor Mendoza, 36; Adolfo Mendoza, 34; Victor Zermino, 34; and Cesar Guevara-Ponce, 26 — were charged in federal court with residing in the U.S. illegally and re-entering the country after two deportations each.

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