Twelve individuals identified as members and associates of the 18th Street gang were arrested in Los Angeles on charges including murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. The arrests stem from a series of federal indictments that allege the gang operated an open-air drug market in MacArthur Park, using tents to blend in with the homeless population and avoid law enforcement detection.
Five of those arrested are expected to appear for arraignment in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Authorities reported seizing more than 175 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl during the investigation. On the day of the arrests, law enforcement confiscated approximately $80,000 in cash, 10 pounds of fentanyl, five pounds of methamphetamine, and six firearms.
The main indictment charges seven individuals with racketeering conspiracy: Keiko Marie Gonzalez (also known as “Moms,” “La Señora,” and “La Reina”), Edward Escalante (“Toro”), Edward Alvarenga (“Tito”), George Carillo (“Chuco”), Carlos Beltran (“Negro”), Felipe De Los Angeles (“Indio”), and Edwin Martinez (“Dreamer”). Six fugitives remain at large; one is believed to be in Mexico and another in Guatemala.
“For far too long, 18th Street and other criminals have been allowed to turn one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces into a crime-infested pit. That ends today,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We are committed to eliminating violent organized crime and open-air drug markets from Los Angeles.”
Robert Molvar, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, stated: “The distribution of illegal narcotics in our communities is unacceptable, as is the associated violent crime that many times affects innocent residents. This investigation should send a message to 18th Street Gang members and their Mexican Mafia overlords that we’re going to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target those responsible for the distribution of illegal narcotics which enrich the gang while they prey on and poison members of our community.”
According to court documents, 18th Street is a Mexican-American street gang with more than 100,000 members operating across several countries. The indictment alleges that MacArthur Park was used as an open-air marketplace for drug trafficking by gang members who concealed their activities within tents. The gang also controlled parts of Skid Row’s drug trade.
The group allegedly maintained control over its territory through violence or threats against rivals or others involved in local criminal activity. Their operations included trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, running illegal gambling establishments known as casitas, and collecting extortionate taxes.
The indictment names a Mexican Mafia member incarcerated at a California state prison—referred to as “Co-Conspirator 1”—as maintaining ultimate control over 18th Street’s operations.
From July 2020 through March 2026, Gonzalez reportedly served as second-in-command for the gang on the streets, overseeing criminal activities such as discipline among members, collection of payments or fines from associates, directing murders—including ordering the July 27, 2022 killing of a rival trafficker—and managing drug sales.
Carillo and Beltran face murder charges related to this incident. Other defendants face various charges including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion (Hobbs Act), attempted Hobbs Act extortion by Escalante specifically, and distribution of nearly two pounds of methamphetamine.
“Gang criminals and drug peddlers have been exploiting the MacArthur Park community for far too long,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge at DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division. “18th Street has been moving product in MacArthur Park at will. The collaborative work poured into this multi-agency operation is a testament to our resolve to turn the tide. We want to return MacArthur Park back to the community.”
Tyler Hatcher from IRS-CI added: “This indictment exposes a criminal enterprise that relied on illegal activities that generated steady illicit income. By uncovering the financial structure that supported this organization, we are helping dismantle the network that allowed it to operate and profit at the expense of our communities. IRS CI will continue to use our financial expertise to ensure that violent gangs cannot hide their proceeds and cannot use those profits to fuel further harm.”
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If convicted on all counts listed in their indictments: Carillo and Beltran could face mandatory life sentences; Gonzalez could receive up to life imprisonment; Alvarenga faces up to 40 years; De Los Angeles and Martinez each face up to 20 years; Escalante faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years with potential for life imprisonment.
Multiple agencies participated in this investigation including FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; IRS Criminal Investigation; Los Angeles Police Department; with support from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshals Service.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe (Major Crimes Section) and Daniel H. Weiner (Transnational Organized Crime Section).
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California focuses on prosecuting federal criminal cases such as these while serving over 19 million residents across seven counties (official website). In addition to legal proceedings against organized crime groups like 18th Street Gangsters, it supports community outreach programs focused on victim assistance (official website) and works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure public safety (official website).
