Los Angeles, CA – Federal authorities have launched a major crackdown on violent gang activity in Southern California, arresting 16 alleged members and associates of the Puente-13 street gang in a sweeping operation tied to shootings, a kidnapping, and large-scale drug trafficking across the San Gabriel Valley.
Prosecutors say the arrests mark a significant blow to a criminal network connected to the Mexican Mafia, a notorious prison-based gang that authorities allege profits from violence and narcotics distribution on the streets.
Federal Charges Unsealed After Multi-Year Investigation
According to affidavits filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the investigation spanned several years and involved multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
In total, 20 defendants have been charged with a wide range of federal crimes, including:
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl
- Possession of a machine-gun conversion device
- Possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes
Federal officials confirmed that nine defendants were scheduled to make their initial court appearances on Wednesday, with seven more expected to appear Thursday.
Puente-13 Accused of Operating Under Mexican Mafia Control
Prosecutors describe Puente-13 as a La Puente-based street gang that allegedly enforces control over its territory through violence, intimidation, and threats.
Court documents state the gang enriches both itself and the Mexican Mafia prison gang by controlling the distribution of narcotics, using force to maintain dominance and silence rivals.
Authorities say the gang’s activities extended throughout the San Gabriel Valley, affecting multiple communities.
Defendants Identified Across Southern California
Among those arrested are several individuals from cities across the region, including:
- Victor Sanchez, 24, of San Bernardino
- Isaiah Castro, 24, of Azusa
- Isaac Estrada-Frost, 21, of Rosemead
- Heather Covarrubias, 40, of Diamond Bar
- Dominic Ornelas, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga
- Adrian Lopez, 25, of La Puente
Federal officials emphasized that the charges against each defendant vary based on their alleged roles within the organization.
Three Suspects Still at Large
Authorities are continuing to search for three defendants who remain fugitives:
- Larry Castillo, 42, of Victorville
- Soo Kang, 31, of Koreatown
- Bryan Gordian-Padilla, 24, of West Covina
Another defendant, Heather Johnson, 38, of Victorville, is already in state custody, officials said.
Massive Seizures Highlight Scope of Operation
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized a staggering cache of illegal drugs, weapons, and cash, underscoring the scale of the alleged operation.
According to prosecutors, seizures included:
- Approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine
- Thousands of pills containing fentanyl and carfentanil
- Fentanyl powder
- 71 firearms, including rifles, short-barreled rifles, and weapons with obliterated serial numbers
- Body armor
- Thousands of rounds of ammunition
- Roughly $9,500 in cash
Officials said the presence of high-powered firearms and synthetic opioids posed a serious threat to public safety.
Violent Incidents Detailed in Court Filings
Court documents outline several violent acts allegedly linked to Puente-13 members.
In December 2022, Dominic Ornelas is accused of participating in a shooting at a residence in Covina. Prosecutors say Ornelas tripped while fleeing the scene and left behind a shoe, which investigators later used as evidence to connect him to the crime.
In July 2023, Adrian Lopez, Heather Covarrubias, and others allegedly kidnapped two victims in an attempt to recover items they believed were stolen during a burglary at Lopez’s home. One victim was released, while the other reportedly escaped after being severely beaten.
Another incident occurred in May 2025, when Isaac Estrada-Frost is accused of opening fire outside a La Puente liquor store after mistaking a victim for a rival gang member. Prosecutors allege he yelled racial slurs before firing at the victim’s vehicle and striking one of the doors.
Life Sentences Possible if Convicted
Federal prosecutors warned that the stakes are extremely high for those charged.
If convicted, nine of the defendants arrested Wednesday face statutory maximum sentences of life in federal prison, reflecting the seriousness of the alleged crimes and the gang’s violent reach.
Authorities say the case demonstrates an aggressive effort to dismantle organized street gangs and disrupt the flow of deadly narcotics into local communities.
Do you think federal crackdowns like this make communities safer in the long run? Should penalties for gang-related drug trafficking be even tougher? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below and join the discussion.
