U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with law enforcement partners in California and Florida arrested 13 individuals on May 20, who are alleged members and associates of Armenian organized crime syndicates. The charges against them include attempted murder, kidnapping, illegal firearm possession, and thefts amounting to millions of dollars related to online retailer shipments.
"This transnational criminal organization operated with the structure and brutality of an international cartel," stated ICE Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Dwayne Angebrandt. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately $100,000 in cash, three armored vehicles, and 14 firearms.
Among those charged is Ara Artuni from Porter Ranch, California, accused of attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Another defendant, Robert Amiryan from Hollywood, California, faces charges of kidnapping. Initial court appearances for those arrested in California are scheduled for today and tomorrow at the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Vahan Harutyunyan from Hollywood, Florida made his initial appearance earlier today in Fort Lauderdale and was ordered detained. Two other defendants are currently held on unrelated state charges.
The Armenian Organized Crime group is described as a Russian mafia-affiliated organization that has made Los Angeles County a focal point for its U.S. operations since 2022. According to affidavits filed with the complaints, there has been an ongoing power struggle between local leaders within this organization leading to multiple violent incidents.
Artuni allegedly ordered the attempted murder of Amiryan during summer 2023. In response, Amiryan reportedly conspired to kidnap and torture one of Artuni’s associates in June 2023.
Beyond these violent crimes, Artuni's enterprise is accused of engaging in bank fraud, wire fraud, cargo theft targeting online retailers like Amazon.com Inc., and running a "credit card bust-out" scheme. Amazon estimates that goods worth over $83 million have been stolen by the group.
"Today’s arrests reflect that my office and our law enforcement partners are committed to keeping America safe by dismantling transnational criminal organizations," said United States Attorney Bill Essayli.
Burbank Police Chief Rafael Quintero noted the extensive investigation into these crimes: "Investigators from the Burbank Police Department spent hundreds of hours investigating these heinous violent crimes."
"Dismantling transnational criminal organizations is at the core of HSI’s mission," added Angebrandt.
The case involves several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; The Los Angeles Police Department Major Crimes Division – Transnational Organized Crime Section; Burbank Police Department; Northridge and Ventura offices; IRS Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives among others.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndsi Allsop and Kenneth R. Carbajal along with Tara B. Vavere are prosecuting this case with support from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime but every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. If convicted on all charges defendants could face sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
Reports about suspicious criminal activity can be made through ICE's Tip Line available 24/7 at 866-DHS-2-ICE where trained specialists handle reports on over 400 laws enforced by ICE.
