4-12-2007

I had an experience today that was kind of like one of those sitcom episodes where they bring back a bunch of old characters for one big extravaganza.

There's a press event scheduled for 3 PM at the Federal Courthouse . . . and as I'm sitting there waiting, I see Bob Jordan and Beth Anne Steele with the FBI . . .

Then I see Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer, Sgt Brian Schmautz and Cathe Kent walk in . . .

Then Gresham Chief Carla Piluso . . .

Vancouver's new Chief Clifford Cook . . .

Sgt Paul Wandell with Beaverton police . . .

Lt. Jason Gates with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office . . .

I mean, it's typical to see one or two of these guys at the same event but we are talking major players from almost EVERY division of law enforcement within a 20 mile radius. It was like an All Star game for cops. A CLEAR sign that this was more than your typical announcement.

It turns out an anonymous tip led to a year and half long investigation ... and produced NINE indictments today in a gang-related drug-ring that crossed into EVERY nook and cranny of Portland. The suspects:

Reveriano Morales Mendoza AKA "Vato Loco"
Ivan Hernandez Perez
Diangelo Dupre Harris AKA "D"
John Frederick Edwards Jr AKA "Bookman"
Theron Daron Miller AKA "Ghost"
Patricia Ann Anderson AKA "Trish"
William Louis Taylor AKA "Uncle Will"
Johnny Ray Brown AKA "Booya"
Tyron Walker James AKA "Ty"

Harris ALONE is believed to have moved 2 Kilos of Cocaine a month (street value of$5-600 an ounce . . . HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars a month). Mendoza and Perez are Mexican nationals believed to be here illegally. Also, Harris, Miller and Brown are believed to be gang associates.

All those listed are facing AT LEAST five years behind bars ... some are facing ADDITIONAL charges for possessing weapons.

The officials are keeping things pretty quiet in terms of specifics about the investigation and don't know WHERE the drugs came from.

During the event, Chief Sizer said this ring isn't completely broken up, but it's severely disrupted. Gresham Chief Carla Piluso says they can't be sure, but there is a significant likelihood that this bust ties into the bust announced earlier this week (check my archive for more).