Bust targeted 2 brothers
By Robert LaHue /Appeal-Democrat
March 31, 2007 - 12:09AM
A 2 1/2-year investigation into the alleged gang activities of two Yuba City brothers culminated in more than a dozen arrests, law enforcement officials said Friday.
The investigation, headed by the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team, or NET-5, and the FBI, began in November 2004, when NET-5 received information about the Boykin brothers, Anthony, 32, and Patrick, 30.
They were allegedly involved in distributing drugs in Northern California and had been identified as members of the Yuba City-based street gang known as the “Wilbur Block Bloods” or “West Coast Savages,” authorities said.
The gang’s influence and violence stretches into Marysville and up to Chico as well, Yuba City Police Chief Richard Doscher said during a press conference Friday.
According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, the Boykin brothers’ criminal records date to the mid-1990s and include assault with a firearm, resisting a police officer and carrying concealed weapons.
Anthony and Patrick Boykin appeared Thursday in federal court before a magistrate judge, who ordered they remain in custody until their next court appearance on April 12.
The FBI had also been investigating the gang following the shootings of gang members in Yuba City, Marysville and Chico. NET-5 and the FBI began coordinating their efforts last year, police said.
“One of the many issues the FBI strives to address is the issue of street gangs,” said Special Agent Chad Coulter of the FBI’s Chico office.
Getting eyewitness testimony in the investigation has been difficult because of fears of retaliation by gang members, Coulter said.
“We truly can say this is a violent street gang,” he said.
Law enforcement agents used confidential sources and undercover drug buys to make a case, authorities said.
“A lot of hours and time and resources were dedicated to surveillance,” according to Coulter.
The raids began at 7 a.m. Thursday. Along with the arrests, items seized included cash, methamphetamine, cocaine, high-grade marijuana, ecstasy and weapons including handguns, an SKS semi-automatic rifle and an assault rifle.
Doscher said comments made by some of the arrestees showed the type of criminal being dealt with.
“One individual that’s looking at 25 to 30 years (in prison) said, ‘No big deal. When I get out, I’ll be doing the same thing,’” Doscher said.
Sutter County Sheriff Jim Denney said he is often asked what is being done to battle gangs and drugs in the area.
“Well, this is an example of what we’re doing,” Denney said.
Some family members and friends of those arrested attended the press conference and criticized law enforcement tactics.
They said officers held juveniles at gunpoint, damaged possessions, used flash grenades and shot dogs.
Doscher defended the actions, saying the top priority is securing the home and keeping officers safe.
“Our officers are not going to go up to a door, knock on a door and get greeted by automatic weapon fire,” Doscher said.
***************************************
Drug sweep nets 16 arrests
By Robert LaHue/Appeal-Democrat
March 30, 2007 - 12:46AM
Sixteen people in Yuba-Sutter were arrested Thursday following a yearlong investigation led by NET-5 and the FBI.
Raids began at 7 a.m., according to the Yuba City Police Department. Cash, drugs and weapons seized by authorities were being inventoried.
More details will be released today at a 1 p.m. press conference in the Yuba City City Council chambers, 1201 Civic Center Blvd.
Police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said the arrests were throughout Yuba City, Marysville and Sutter County. But the majority were in Yuba City, she said.
Pavey did not know the exact number of personnel involved in the operation. Along with the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team, or NET-5, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, support was provided by 21 Northern California law enforcement agencies.
If a local agency such as NET-5 finds an investigation it is undertaking becomes fairly large, the assistance of the FBI is available to them, Pavey said.
“It is actually quite common,” she said.
By Robert LaHue /Appeal-Democrat
March 31, 2007 - 12:09AM
A 2 1/2-year investigation into the alleged gang activities of two Yuba City brothers culminated in more than a dozen arrests, law enforcement officials said Friday.
The investigation, headed by the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team, or NET-5, and the FBI, began in November 2004, when NET-5 received information about the Boykin brothers, Anthony, 32, and Patrick, 30.
They were allegedly involved in distributing drugs in Northern California and had been identified as members of the Yuba City-based street gang known as the “Wilbur Block Bloods” or “West Coast Savages,” authorities said.
The gang’s influence and violence stretches into Marysville and up to Chico as well, Yuba City Police Chief Richard Doscher said during a press conference Friday.
According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, the Boykin brothers’ criminal records date to the mid-1990s and include assault with a firearm, resisting a police officer and carrying concealed weapons.
Anthony and Patrick Boykin appeared Thursday in federal court before a magistrate judge, who ordered they remain in custody until their next court appearance on April 12.
The FBI had also been investigating the gang following the shootings of gang members in Yuba City, Marysville and Chico. NET-5 and the FBI began coordinating their efforts last year, police said.
“One of the many issues the FBI strives to address is the issue of street gangs,” said Special Agent Chad Coulter of the FBI’s Chico office.
Getting eyewitness testimony in the investigation has been difficult because of fears of retaliation by gang members, Coulter said.
“We truly can say this is a violent street gang,” he said.
Law enforcement agents used confidential sources and undercover drug buys to make a case, authorities said.
“A lot of hours and time and resources were dedicated to surveillance,” according to Coulter.
The raids began at 7 a.m. Thursday. Along with the arrests, items seized included cash, methamphetamine, cocaine, high-grade marijuana, ecstasy and weapons including handguns, an SKS semi-automatic rifle and an assault rifle.
Doscher said comments made by some of the arrestees showed the type of criminal being dealt with.
“One individual that’s looking at 25 to 30 years (in prison) said, ‘No big deal. When I get out, I’ll be doing the same thing,’” Doscher said.
Sutter County Sheriff Jim Denney said he is often asked what is being done to battle gangs and drugs in the area.
“Well, this is an example of what we’re doing,” Denney said.
Some family members and friends of those arrested attended the press conference and criticized law enforcement tactics.
They said officers held juveniles at gunpoint, damaged possessions, used flash grenades and shot dogs.
Doscher defended the actions, saying the top priority is securing the home and keeping officers safe.
“Our officers are not going to go up to a door, knock on a door and get greeted by automatic weapon fire,” Doscher said.
***************************************
Drug sweep nets 16 arrests
By Robert LaHue/Appeal-Democrat
March 30, 2007 - 12:46AM
Sixteen people in Yuba-Sutter were arrested Thursday following a yearlong investigation led by NET-5 and the FBI.
Raids began at 7 a.m., according to the Yuba City Police Department. Cash, drugs and weapons seized by authorities were being inventoried.
More details will be released today at a 1 p.m. press conference in the Yuba City City Council chambers, 1201 Civic Center Blvd.
Police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said the arrests were throughout Yuba City, Marysville and Sutter County. But the majority were in Yuba City, she said.
Pavey did not know the exact number of personnel involved in the operation. Along with the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team, or NET-5, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, support was provided by 21 Northern California law enforcement agencies.
If a local agency such as NET-5 finds an investigation it is undertaking becomes fairly large, the assistance of the FBI is available to them, Pavey said.
“It is actually quite common,” she said.
