What was supposed to be a news conference about a major gang takedown turned into an impromptu, tension-filled policy debate between the top law enforcement leaders of Fresno County and the state.

The only thing that California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, and Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni agreed upon was the valiant efforts of law enforcement.

More than 25 federal, state, and local agencies and 500 officers made 92 arrests in “Operation Shock Collar.” The operation prevented violence, removed drugs from the street, and even helped solve an 8-year old murder, officials said.

But Smittcamp and Zanoni took their moments to criticize the state’s policies on incarceration.

Smittcamp: Harder to Prosecute Juveniles

With Bonta over her right shoulder, Smittcamp talked about three juveniles arrested in “Operation Shock Collar.” Her tone turned political.

“We have seen the criminal justice system be dismantled by what is mistakenly called criminal justice reform. We see that more gangs are involving juveniles in crime because the way that the Legislature has acted in the last 10 years makes it almost impossible for prosecutors at the state level to effectively prosecute juveniles,” Smittcamp said.

“Our hands are tied by these restrictive laws that have been passed. So I am very invigorated today that Attorney General Bonta is here to say that he is going to marshal resources for us and that he is pro-law enforcement and that he’s here to support and he will encourage resources.”

Smittcamp added that it is “a complete waste of resources,” if they investigate and cannot incarcerate. She called for more funding for incarceration.

She praised working with federal law enforcement, while taking a backhanded swipe at her state counterparts.

“We can rely on our federal partners because the federal statutes and the federal sentencing structures are strong. And the punishment matches the crimes. We can’t say that always in the state of California,” Smittcamp said.

Bonta Dances Around Incarceration

GV Wire asked Bonta for a response. He danced around the issue.

Bonta “vehemently agreed” with Smittcamp about the “real heroes in this room” — several law enforcement officers attended the news conference at the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse in downtown Fresno — and her comments about the need for rehabilitation in prison.

“Of course, people that are involved in this operation are going to prison, rightfully so, and I’m not sure why that was ever in doubt,” Bonta said. “I believe that the people of California want law enforcement agencies and departments to be fighting crime, not fighting each other.”

Zanoni: We Need More Prisons

Zanoni shifted from talking about the arrests to the need for more prison and jail space. Even opening a new jail annex did not increase the net jail beds available, because of state policies.

Proposition 36 — passed by California voters last year to increase the punishment of some crimes — will mean more inmates, Zanoni said.

“We must do something to house those individuals and to hold them accountable for their actions. Otherwise, the voice of the people to pass Prop 36 will be meaningless,” Zanoni said.

Bonta agrees that Prop. 36 should be enforced.

“The people spoke and Prop 36. should be implemented and it should be funded,” Bonta said.

Bonta noted that a funding mechanism was not part of what voters decided.

“Maybe if there was funding put in Prop. 36 and the people who were voting knew what what it would mean for them and for our state, they would have voted differently. Maybe not,” Bonta said.

He said local and federal governments should considering funding Prop. 36, along with the state budget.

Operation a Success

“Operation Shock Collar” targeted offshoots of the Bulldog gang, mainly in rural western Fresno County towns.

“This takedown was a critical blow to the operation of these criminal street gangs,” said Kim Sanchez, chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

The investigation started in February 2024, focusing on gang activity in Huron, Coalinga and San Joaquin. The conspiracy alleged that gang members trafficked drugs and guns — including smuggling drugs into jail.

The kingpin was Ignacio “Giddy” Sanchez, already incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison, serving 70 years to life for second-degree murder. He allegedly gave orders from prison and now faces new conspiracy charges.

“Families in the Central Valley can rest a little easier tonight,” Bonta said.

Suspects will be prosecuted in either federal or state courts, for charges ranging from murder conspiracy to drug trafficking.

A Hole in the Wall at County Jail

Gang members allegedly smuggled drugs through holes bored into walls at the Fresno County jail, Zanoni said. He took responsibility.

“They weren’t there very long, but what we’ve found out is that the individuals that are in custody in our facility are very creative. They’ve got a lot of time on their hands,” Zanoni said.

Zanoni said the holes “has subsequently since then been addressed.”

“Individuals are not afraid of the law like they once were. And so we’re seeing that, as blatant as that is, trying to get drugs through a wall or a small hole in a correctional facility,” Zanoni said.

Others attempted to sneak drugs into jail through stuffing wrapped packages into bodily orifices. One proactive step the sheriff’s office said is using x-ray machines.

By the Numbers

Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesperson Tony Botti said the operation removed:

• 19 guns;
• 1 pound of cocaine;
• 5 pounds of meth;
• One-fifth of a pound of heroin;
• 1/2 of of a pound of fentanyl.

Bonta On Other Issues

Bonta also addressed other issues. Regarding Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship, he called it “a mixed bag.”

He said the court did not rule on the citizenship question itself, but rather the legal question of whether courts can issue nationwide injunctions.

“We need one rule for the whole United States in order for us the plaintiff states to get the relief that we want,” Bonta said.

California was one of the states that sued over President Trump’s order on changing birthright citizenship, and thus the injunction would still apply. He believes plaintiffs can still secure a nationwide injunction.

Bonta said the state is in the right regarding its law allowing school athletes to compete in their chosen gender. The Trump Administration is challenging California’s laws.

Asked if he thinks it fair for a biological male to compete with a biological female, Bonta said, “We’re going to follow the rule of law. I’m the attorney general. My opinion is that I’m going to follow the rule of law.”