Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside law enforcement partners, announced the results of "Operation Red Rooster," targeting Norteño criminal street gang activity in Merced County. The 18-month operation concluded with 41 arrests, over 60 pounds of narcotics seized, and 27 guns confiscated. The suspects face charges including homicide, attempted homicide, gun trafficking, and drug trafficking with gang enhancements.

“Operation Red Rooster was a success because of the hard work of so many dedicated law enforcement partners,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I am proud of our Special Agents for their unwavering commitment to this investigation, and I'm grateful for the work of our law enforcement partners here in Merced County and statewide, as we stand together to combat gang violence. Our work to address the organized criminal street gang crisis is saving lives and making communities safer — but there is more to be done. We won’t rest until California communities are free from gang activity, including here in the Central Valley.”

“The operation leading to today’s arrests reflects incredible teamwork between our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe from violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. “This type of collaborative effort is critical to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations engaged in violent crime and drug trafficking.”

“This operation is a testament to what can be accomplished when we all work together toward a common goal," said Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira. "Because of this work, the people of Merced County are going to sleep tonight in a safer, better community."

“The destruction of human life and scale of violence by the Norteño Street Gangs in the region is the major reason the law enforcement agencies of all related jurisdictions have partnered to investigate, arrest, and prosecute this transnational criminal organization,” said Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco/NorCal Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “We know from investigations that these criminals often prey on their own immigrant communities who are trying to earn an honest living and raise their families in peace and our joint law enforcement efforts strive to accomplish this goal by removing these menaces from our society.”

“This operation exemplifies CDCR's dedication to serving communities and enhancing public safety,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. “We are committed to leveraging all our resources, both within and beyond correctional facilities, to create safer and more secure communities.”

“Today marks a significant step forward in our unified mission to build safer communities throughout this region,” stated FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “By combining our resources and aligning our respective strengths, we are disrupting gang violence and keeping our communities safe.”

The investigation began in 2021 after Livingston Police Department investigated a homicide connected to the Norteño criminal street gang. While one shooter was arrested initially, another remained at large. As more agencies joined the long-term investigation into Norteño activities in Merced County, Operation Red Rooster expanded.

The joint operation included officers from California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Merced Area Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team (MAGNET), DOJ Special Operation Unit (SOU), Merced County District Attorney’s Office (DA), U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), Merced County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Merced Police Department (MPD), Livingston Police Department (LPD), Merced County Probation Department (MCPD), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATFE) among others.

MAGNET is a California DOJ-led multiagency task force funded through the national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program comprising various federal, state, and local agencies focused on combating organized crime.

The SOU collaborates with California DOJ and California Highway Patrol providing statewide enforcement against violent career criminals, gangs, and organized crime groups through undercover operations aimed at dismantling entire organizations rather than individual members.