California Cracks Down On Organized Crime
By Virginia L. Landry
Mar. 9, 2011 4:47p
Operation Power Outage Targets Armenian Syndicate
In an extensive investigation involving both local and federal agencies, law enforcement officers arrested over a hundred alleged members of an Armenian crime gang that has been operating in California for years.
The group, known as Armenian Power, began life as a street gang in Los Angeles, taking root amongst poor and disgruntled immigrants from Armenia in the early 1990s. Though still relatively few in number, the syndicate has grown to a wide-reaching power, with alleged ties to the international Mexican Mafia and many other smaller criminal groups throughout the West Coast.
The Investigation into their activities began two years ago, as a combined effort between federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, IRS, Immigration and Customs, and local departments such as Los Angeles Sheriffs office investigators. Though the arrests were made mostly in LA and nearby, authorities reportedly arrested members as far away as Miami and Denver.
Group Charged With $20 Million In Fraud
As the legal system begins the process of charging the group, the counts began to add up. At total of 99 members of the syndicate have been charged, with offenses ranging from racketeering, extortion, identity theft, and other white-collar crimes, in addition to drug trafficking and kidnapping charges.
One of their fraud schemes is responsible for stealing as much as $10 million, authorities report. The group combined efforts with several local African American gangs to use information, gleaned in part by insiders within banks, to steal account information and siphon millions of dollars, mostly from older victims.
The vast majority of the arrests occurred without incident, though investigators say they are still seeking 24 suspects who have evaded arrest.
Seek a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are suspected of committing white-collar crimes such as embezzlement, it is crucial that you retain the services of an experienced legal professional. Please call one of the
Santa Anna criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Apkarian and Zalewski right away to discuss your case. No matter how serious the charges against you, you deserve an aggressive defense to protect your freedoms. Apkarian and Zalewski have a total of 30 years experience defending clients for a wide variety of crimes in the Santa Anna area.
Do not hesitate to contact a Santa Anna white-collar crime lawyer today!
