Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
Odyssey Carrillo, a member of the Emerald Hills Bloods gang, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy involving organized crime by street gangs. Carrillo is the last of nine individuals to be sentenced in connection with this case.
Carrillo pleaded guilty to charges of Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity and Hobbs Act Robbery. The enterprise's crimes included armed robbery, sex trafficking, prostitution, and other illegal activities aimed at profit.
The defendants faced charges under racketeering conspiracy laws originally intended for combating organized crime syndicates and mobsters. These statutes are now used against criminal street gangs that engage in coordinated violent criminal conduct.
Previously sentenced defendants include Jerome Brunson, Cedric Jordan, Stephen Nathaniel Calhoun Jr., Carl Moore, Maurice Johnson, Dajay Leon Scott, Taashawn Henderson, and Sergio Valentin Louden.
Carrillo admitted his involvement in two specific armed robberies: the January 19, 2019 robbery of San Carlos Jewelers and the February 11, 2019 robbery of Bert Levi Family Jewelers. Alongside him were Calhoun and Moore who also participated in these robberies. Calhoun additionally admitted to robbing the Medicine Shoppe on May 20, 2019. Both Calhoun and Moore are members of the Lincoln Park Bloods (LPK), while Carrillo is part of an allied gang.
Jerome Brunson confessed to being involved in the November 19, 2019 armed robbery of a Jared’s jewelry store as an LPK member. Dajay Scott and Sergio Louden were involved in multiple purse thefts outside nail salons in January 2020 as LPK members. Cedric Jordan, Maurice Johnson, and Taashawn Henderson participated in sex trafficking-related offenses during their conspiracy activities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden stated: “Every member of our community is put at risk when criminal street gangs engage in armed robberies, sex trafficking, and other violent criminal acts.” He emphasized collaboration between local and federal law enforcement partners as key to addressing such threats using RICO tools.
FBI San Diego Special Agent Stacey Moy remarked: “Today’s sentencing reflects the hard work...to dismantle an organized crime conspiracy.” She highlighted ongoing efforts with partners against violent crime and human traffickers whose actions harm communities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mario J. Peia, Katherine E.A McGrath & Matthew Brehm with investigative support from several agencies including FBI & San Diego Police Department among others.
