The Fresno County DA's Office led by Lisa Smittcamp charged 25 suspects with 55 felonies on Monday as part of the Operation Gridlock crackdown on street gangs. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
Share
Five criminal cases from the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office aim to put some suspects snared in Operation Gridlock behind bars for terms as long as life.
More than 800 law enforcement personnel participated in the multi-month, multi-agency effort against Fresno street gangs, according to a news release from the DA’s office.
The Fresno Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium and the Fresno Police Department led the operation.
On Monday, the DA’s office brought charges against 25 people across five cases.
The 55 felony counts range from illegal possession of firearms and ammunition to shootings to human trafficking.
Related Story: Operation Gridlock: 32 Arrests, 59 Gun Seized, Violent Gangs Dismantled
Gun Crimes, Human Trafficking Common Theme Among Many Suspects
The DA grouped the cases into groups of nine and 10 suspects down to a single suspect.
In the People vs. Gregory Brinkley, nine individuals face 23 felony counts from pimping to pandering and human trafficking.
Two suspects face punishment of life in prison if found guilty. Some suspects, including the alleged leader, Brinkley, are still at large.
Many of the charges incorporate strike offenses from the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law.
The People vs. Jaziah Cooper case charges eight felonies — including pimping, human trafficking, and unlawful computer access — against four suspects.
The People vs. Kamron Bell charges 10 individuals with 23 felonies. Those charges include illegal firearm and ammunition possession.
Two cases, the People vs. Joseph Ray Packard and the People vs. Edward Tucker, charge the two men with two felony counts each. They allegedly shot at a home. Packard faces life in prison if convicted. Tucker could be punished with up to seven years in prison.
All five cases will be arraigned Tuesday.
Additional charges for other individuals are still pending review, the DA’s Office said.