Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
On June 26, 2025, a coordinated law enforcement operation led to the arrest of 89 individuals linked to criminal street gangs in Fresno County, California. This operation involved more than 550 personnel from federal, state, and local agencies executing 54 search warrants in Huron and surrounding areas. During the investigation, authorities seized firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
The unsealed complaint charges 38 members and associates of the Bulldog street gang's cliques with various drug and firearms trafficking offenses. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith stated that this effort reflects a commitment to address crime's root causes and hold offenders accountable. She commended law enforcement for disrupting these networks.
FBI Special Agent Siddhartha Patel highlighted the collaborative efforts aimed at disrupting gang-driven violence and the flow of drugs into Central Valley neighborhoods. Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni noted that this operation would improve safety in rural communities.
District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in protecting communities from violent gangs. The investigation began in February 2024 with a focus on Bulldog gang activities in Huron, Coalinga, and San Joaquin. The complaint alleges an extensive conspiracy involving drug trafficking coordinated by inmates using contraband phones.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America and Summer Heat initiatives targeting violent crime nationwide. The defendants face sentences ranging from 10 years to life if convicted.
