SALT LAKE, Utah — Twenty-three people will spend time in prison for their alleged involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution organization in Salt Lake County that was run by members of eight street gangs and supplied by a Mexican drug cartel.
One defendant remains a fugitive in Mexico, according to a news release from the Utah United States Attorney’s Office.
The FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the organized narcotics ring that was set up like a business to include security, counter-surveillance, secret codes, firearms, and large amounts of cash, with each member having a distinct role in the group.
Members of the following street gangs were involved: Surenos, Nortenos, La Raza, Vario Chosen Few, East Side Raskals, Baby Regulators, Soldiers of Aryan Culture, and Tiny Oriental Posse, according to the Utah United States Attorney’s Office
During the operation, 41 pounds of methamphetamine and 17 firearms, including 13 firearms and assorted ammunition from one defendant who was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, were seized. The drugs were supplied by members of a Mexican drug cartel in Southern California.
The sentences received by each defendant are:
Cesar Gutierrez, age 41 of Magna, sentenced April 13, 2021, to 164 months in prison for Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Siosifina Ositamani (aka Fina Halai), age 45 of Salt Lake City sentenced February 25, 2020, to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Jon Martinez (aka Droopy), age 50 of Salt Lake City, sentenced August 13, 2019, to 5 years of probation;
Cerina Gutierrez, age 49 of Salt Lake City sentenced June 17, 2019, to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Sompheth Thaodara (aka Diamond), age 52 of West Valley City sentenced January 4, 2019, to 60 months in prison for Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Timote Fangupo (aka Double Barrel), age 40 of West Jordan, sentenced September 18, 2018, to 18 months in prison for unlawful use of a communication device;
Linda Sosa, age 42 of Kearns, sentenced September 18, 2018, to 36 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Man Tat Le (aka Asian Le), age 46 of West Valley City sentenced September 17, 2018, to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Melissa Delgado, age 25 of Murray, sentenced August 20, 2018, to time served for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Silvio McKenzie-Gainza, age 39 of Salt Lake City, sentenced August 2, 2018, to 151 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
David Tyson Madden, age 44 of Salt Lake City sentenced July 17, 2018, to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Brandon Callaway, age 33 of Salt Lake City, sentenced July 6, 2018, to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Raul Enrique Lizarraga Lopez (aka Maestro), age 26 of Los Angeles, sentenced July 2, 2018, to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Makasini Lomu (aka Maka), age 54 of West Valley City, sentenced July 2, 2018, to 180 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Morgan Harris (aka Ace), age 62 of Murray sentenced June 8, 2018, to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Jake Duran (aka Troublez), age 29 of Salt Lake City, sentenced May 25, 2018, to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Justin Dahlquist, age 30 of Salt Lake City sentenced May 24, 2018, to 24 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Steven Trujillo, age 27 of Tooele sentenced May 8, 2018, to 72 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Jeremy Najera, age 37 of Salt Lake City sentenced May 7, 2018, to 48 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Gary Bronson Dean (aka Gary Dean Bronson), age 46 of Salt Lake City sentenced May 7, 2018, to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute marijuana;
Mario Cerna (aka Havoc), age 38 of West Valley City sentenced May 7, 2018 to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Michael Shane Tisdale, age of 58 of West Valley City, sentenced May 7, 2018, to 48 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Greg Montoya, age 47 of Salt Lake City, sentenced October 25, 2017, to 49 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
Ciro Santamaria-Zepeda, age 39 of Salt Lake City, still a fugitive in Mexico.
The case was prosecuted by assistant United States attorney from the Utah United States Attorney’s Office under the Department of Justice Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
The investigation was conducted by special agents from the FBI and DEA.
Assisting with the investigations were officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department, West Valley City Police Department, Sandy Police Department, West Jordan Police Department, and the Utah Department of Public Safety, who participate as members of the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force; the Unified Police Department and the Metro Gang Unit; the Murray Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, ATF, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
