Sixteen individuals associated with the Puente-13 street gang were arrested in Los Angeles on federal criminal complaints. The charges include kidnapping, two shootings, illegal sales of firearms, and trafficking of narcotics such as methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and carfentanil. Carfentanil is noted to be a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The defendants arrested include Victor Sanchez (24), Isaiah Castro (24), Isaac Estrada-Frost (21), Heather Covarrubias (40), Dominic Ornelas (23), and Adrian Lopez (25). In total, 20 people face charges ranging from drug distribution to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and firearm offenses. Nine defendants are scheduled for initial court appearances in Los Angeles District Court today, while seven others are expected to appear tomorrow.
Three suspects—Larry Castillo (42), Soo Kang (31), and Bryan Gordian-Padilla (24)—remain at large. Another defendant, Heather Johnson (38), is currently in state custody.
During the investigation, authorities seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of pills containing fentanyl and carfentanil, fentanyl powder, 71 firearms—including rifles and machine-gun conversion devices—body armor, ammunition, and about $9,500 in cash.
According to affidavits filed with the complaints: "Puente-13 is a street gang based in La Puente that enriches itself and the Mexican Mafia prison gang by controlling the distribution of narcotics within its ‘territory,’ maintaining and expanding that control through violence and threats of violence and punishing those in its territory who cooperate with law enforcement."
The affidavits describe several incidents linked to Puente-13. In December 2022, a shooting at a Covina residence was traced back to one suspect after he left his shoe at the scene. In July 2023, two victims were kidnapped following a burglary at Lopez’s home; one victim was released while another escaped after being beaten. In May 2025 outside a La Puente liquor store, Estrada-Frost allegedly shot at a car after yelling racial slurs at an individual he mistook for a rival gang member.
Additional allegations involve illegal firearm sales and trafficking significant quantities of drugs.
Authorities remind that: "Complaints contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court."
If convicted on all counts, nine defendants could face maximum sentences of life imprisonment.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with support from local police departments including Covina Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth R. Carbajal and Clifford D. Mpare are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions across its jurisdiction by partnering with law enforcement agencies to promote public safety. It operates offices throughout the region serving over 19 million residents across seven counties according to its official website. The office also supports community outreach programs focused on victim assistance and public education.
E. Martin Estrada serves as United States Attorney for this district as reported by their official site. The office maintains locations in Los Angeles as well as Santa Ana and Riverside.
