E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
Four Pomona gang members and associates of the Mexican Mafia were convicted on a range of serious charges, including racketeering, murder, and drug trafficking, according to a recent court verdict. A jury found them guilty for the murder of a federal inmate at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles in June 2020.
The trial, which lasted 20 days, culminated with the conviction of four defendants, all from Pomona: Michael Lerma, known as "Pomona Mike" and "Big Mike," Carlos Gonzalez, known as "Popeye," Juan Sanchez, known as "Squeaks," and Jose Valencia Gonzalez, known as "Swifty." They were each convicted of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and murder under VICAR, and first-degree murder within U.S. jurisdiction.
Lerma and Valencia Gonzalez were additionally convicted for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, while Gonzalez and Valencia Gonzalez were found guilty of firearm possession as felons. Sanchez was acquitted of the firearm possession charge. All defendants have been in federal custody since 2018.
“These defendants were key players in a criminal enterprise that committed murder, assault, and drug trafficking,” stated Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “Today’s verdict will take these offenders off our streets and make our community safer.”
Akil Davis, the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director, noted, "This case makes it clear that gang violence by Mexican Mafia members and associates has not only been directed from the streets, but also from prisons in California."
During the trial, evidence showed that Lerma, a prominent Mexican Mafia member, extorted drug proceeds from Latino gangs and prisoners. The criminal actions extended from the streets to detention centers, including the murder of an inmate identified in court as "S.B." in June 2020. The murder was allegedly ordered due to unpaid drug debts.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled in the coming months by United States District Judge George H. Wu, where each defendant could receive mandatory life sentences in federal prison.
This case has led to 16 convictions so far, including individuals like Cheryl Perez-Castaneda, sentenced to 12 years for criminal activities tied to Lerma. Additionally, Kelly Deshannon received a sentence exceeding seven years for involvement in armed robbery and drug distribution.
The investigation was led by the FBI's San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force and other local law enforcement agencies. The Pomona Police Department has been central to this task force since 2008.
The prosecution team comprises Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle W. Kahan, Jason A. Gorn, and Kellye M. Ng.
