Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Human Trafficking Bulldog Gang Member Faces Life in Prison
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 6 years ago on
May 10, 2019

Share

A member of the Bulldogs street gang is headed to federal prison after being found guilty on drug and human trafficking charges Thursday.

Filiberto “Beto” Chavez, 37, was found guilty of distributing and possessing methamphetamine, and conspiracy to engage in interstate travel for prostitution. A federal grand jury also convicted Chavez on two counts of promoting prostitution.

“It excites me to see ruthless gang members removed from our society, especially those like Filiberto Chavez who treat women as property through violent acts of sex trafficking. Filiberto Chavez and his fellow conspirators have proven they belong behind bars.” — Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer

Chavez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on Aug. 5. Chavez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison.

Federal, State, and Local Teamwork

“This verdict is the result of law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local level working as one to pursue criminal gangs and their associates,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. “We will continue to work tirelessly together to protect our communities and to hold accountable those who threaten our safety.”

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp identified Chavez and his convicted co-defendants as high-ranking members of the Lewis Street Bulldogs.

Read more about the takedown of the gang’s leadership at this link.

“I congratulate U.S. Attorney Scott and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Sanchez, Jeffrey Spivak, and Thomas Newman on an outstanding job bringing Filiberto Chavez to justice,” Smittcamp said. “This conviction is yet another example of how cooperation between our local law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney and the United States Attorney works for the people of Fresno County.”

Said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer: “It excites me to see ruthless gang members removed from our society, especially those like Filiberto Chavez who treat women as property through violent acts of sex trafficking. Filiberto Chavez and his fellow conspirators have proven they belong behind bars.”

When Chavez and others were arrested in September 2017, Dyer called them “scum of the earth” for trafficking in women and girls, some in their early teens.

Chavez Sold Meth, Pimped Out Women in 2017

The “Alpha Dog” law-enforcement effort was built upon wiretap surveillance begun in 2016.

According to court documents and testimony, Chavez sold methamphetamine to a convicted codefendant, Robert Lockhart, on July 8, 2017. Convicted codefendant Amina Padilla stored methamphetamine for Chavez and gave a portion of what she had stored to convicted codefendant Carlos Melgar to deliver to Lockhart.

Three days later, agents served search warrants at Padilla’s and Lockhart’s apartments and seized methamphetamine from both.

Additionally, in June and July of 2017, Chavez was pimping a prostitute using the assistance of Padilla to post prostitution ads on the internet. Chavez invited convicted codefendants Carlos Montano and Miguel Murillo to join him in New York to engage in prostitution activities with each of their prostitutes.

On July 2, Chavez flew from California to New York with his prostitute. On July 18, Montano and Murillo flew from California to New York and engaged in prostitution activities.

Watch: Undercover With Fresno PD Vice Unit

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

DON'T MISS

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

DON'T MISS

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

DON'T MISS

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

DON'T MISS

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

DON'T MISS

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

UP NEXT

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

UP NEXT

Physician Warns Fresno County Supervisors About Jail’s Medical Provider, Private Equity Co.

UP NEXT

Fresno Approves $2.4 Billion Budget. What’s In, What’s Out?

UP NEXT

Kaweah Health CEO Says He’s Ready to Retire After 34 Years at Hospital

UP NEXT

Newsom Gave Political Rival a $380K Job. See the Special Interests Who Paid for It

UP NEXT

Liquor Licenses Abound in the Valley. How Many Is Too Many?

UP NEXT

CalFire’s Arson Arrests Hit 53 Even Before Fire Season Intensifies

UP NEXT

More US Officials Face Threats as Fears Grow Over Political Violence

UP NEXT

Prather’s Oak Fire 85% Contained, Crews Continue Mop-Up Efforts

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Alexis Rafael Torres

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

9 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

9 hours ago

US FDA to Shorten Review Time for Drug Developers Under New Voucher Program

9 hours ago

Physician Warns Fresno County Supervisors About Jail’s Medical Provider, Private Equity Co.

10 hours ago

Houthi Official Says Group Will Intervene to Support Iran Against Israel

10 hours ago

How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel

11 hours ago

Trump Calls for Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel-Iran Air War Rages On

12 hours ago

US Supreme Court Justices Disclose Income From Book Deals and Teaching

12 hours ago

Fresno Approves $2.4 Billion Budget. What’s In, What’s Out?

13 hours ago

The S&P 500 Is Nearing a Record. Really.

13 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

U.S. immigration officials on Tuesday walked back limits on enforcement targeting farms, restaurants, hotels and food processing plants just...

8 hours ago

8 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

8 hours ago

Granite Park Eviction Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial

Mark Kismet, 50, who is considered at-risk went missing on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Clovis near Harlan Ranch is still missing according to the Clovis Police Department on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Clovis PD)
9 hours ago

Missing Clovis Man Found Dead. No Foul Play Suspected

Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson announced he will retire on November 24, 2025, ending a nearly 30-year career and prompting the county to consider options for his replacement. (Kings County SO)
9 hours ago

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

9 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

9 hours ago

US FDA to Shorten Review Time for Drug Developers Under New Voucher Program

10 hours ago

Physician Warns Fresno County Supervisors About Jail’s Medical Provider, Private Equity Co.

10 hours ago

Houthi Official Says Group Will Intervene to Support Iran Against Israel

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend