Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted four members of the Brown Brotherhood gang on charges related to drug and firearms trafficking. The indictments were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith on March 13, 2025, in Sacramento, California.
The individuals charged are Leo Alphonzo Alonso-Medina, 32; Jeremiah I’amafana Salanoa, 22; Doroteo Suastegui, 47; all from Vallejo; and Carlos Osvaldo Higuera-Aldana, 22, from Dixon. According to court documents, the Brown Brotherhood is a subset of the Sureño gang and has been under investigation by the Vallejo Police Department and the Solano County Violent Crime Task Force for various criminal activities including murder, robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, burglary, and stolen vehicles.
The current investigation started in February 2024 and culminated in searches and arrests on February 27, 2025. On that day, FBI agents and task force officers arrested these four gang members on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.
Leo Alphonzo Alonso-Medina faces charges of distributing cocaine and methamphetamine as well as unlawful dealing in firearms. He also faces two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment and a $10 million fine.
Jeremiah I’amafana Salanoa is charged with three counts of distributing fentanyl and one count each for distributing methamphetamine and possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. His potential sentence includes life imprisonment and a $10 million fine if convicted.
Doroteo Suastegui's indictment includes charges for distributing methamphetamine along with possession with intent to distribute both cocaine and methamphetamine. He also faces unlawful dealing in firearms charges. A conviction could result in life imprisonment plus a $10 million fine.
Carlos Osvaldo Higuera-Aldana is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine along with possession with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and fentanyl. Like his co-defendants, he could face life imprisonment along with a $10 million fine if found guilty.
These cases are part of investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI Violent Crime Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; Fairfield Police Department; Vacaville Police Department; Vallejo Police Department; Solano County District Attorney’s Office; Solano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S Attorneys Jason Hitt R Alex Cárdenas Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting these cases federally.
Sentencing will be determined at court discretion considering statutory factors Federal Sentencing Guidelines which account numerous variables Charges remain allegations Defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt
This case was investigated under Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program aimed at identifying disrupting dismantling highest-level criminal organizations threatening United States using prosecutor-led intelligence-driven multi-agency approach More information available Justice.gov/OCDETF
