10 Arrested In Sweep Targeting Leaders Of Notorious Stockton Gang
STOCKTON (CBS13) – Police say that one Stockton's most violent gangs was the target of a sweep that resulted in nearly a dozen arrests Wednesday.
According to the Stockton Police Department, Operation Ceasefire had been investigating The Flyboys street gang for the past several months. The gang is reportedly one of the city's most notorious, with their activity noted across Stockton.
Wednesday, six locations across Stockton were served search and arrest warrants. Officers from the Stockton Police Department's SWAT team, as well as the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, participated in the sweep. The areas targeted were: the 2700 block of Burlington Place, the 9800 block of Milan Drive, the 1500 block of Michael Avenue, the 1900 block of Nightingale Avenue, the 1500 block of E. Seventh Street and the 2300 block of Oxford Way.
The sweep reportedly took down 10 of what police are calling the most influential leaders of the gang.
"The Flyboys obviously paid no attention to the Ceasefire message to put down the weapons and stop the violence," said Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones in a statement.
Authorities also seized numerous weapons, ammunition and drugs during the raids.
"This should serve as another reminder to those groups or individuals who have heard the Ceasefire message. Either adhere to Ceasefire or face a relentless enforcement mission because the Police Department is committed to using whatever resources we have to stop the violence," Jones said.
The follow is a list of the men arrested, along with their charges:
Jontue Anderson, a 31 year old man, gang associate, for gun charges.
Jawon Murray, a 20 year old man, documented gang member, for felony assault, gun, and gang charges.
Ronnie Taylor, a 21 year old man, documented gang member, for burglary, narcotic sales, and gun charges.
Dominick Mearis, aka "Papa Doc", a 28 year old man, gang associate, for narcotics. As a result of the investigation, the narcotics charge was dropped but Mearis was turned over to Sacramento on an unrelated warrant. He is in custody in Sacramento, CA.
Jenaro Torres, aka "Papa Fly", a 46 years old man, gang associate, for gun charges.
Francisco Cabalar, a 21 year old man, documented gang member, for conspiracy.
Rudolfo "Rudy" Andrade, a 21 year old man, gang associate, for conspiracy. (Arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada).
Kenneth Moppins, a 30 year old man, gang associate, for gun charges.
Bairon Vargas, a 23 year old man, gang associate, for narcotics sales and gun charges.
Two men were arrested in Nevada in connection to the operation:
Rudolfo "Rudy" Andrade, a 21 year old man, gang associate, for conspiracy. (Arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada).
Gerald Whatley, a 28 year old man, documented gang member, for gun, narcotic sales, and gang enhancements. (Arrest made in Reno, Nevada).
An eleventh man – documented gang member Antoine Slaughter, a 22-year-old man – is still sought by police for gun and gang charges.
