DOJ accuses white supremacist group members of drug trafficking and COVID fraud

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that 42 members and associates of a California-based white supremacist street gang have been arrested on suspicion of racketeering.

Members of the San Fernando Valley (SFV) Peckerwoods were indicted on charges of COVID relief fraud, possession of illegal firearms and drug trafficking. Some of those arrested could face life in prison if convicted. Authorities seized large quantities of illegal firearms, as well as dozens of pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, according to prosecutors.

“The Department of Justice has delivered a decisive blow to the San Fernando Valley (SFV) Peckerwoods, a violent white supremacist gang that we believe is responsible for trafficking deadly fentanyl and other drugs, committing robberies, and committing financial fraud to finance their criminal enterprise. and that of the Aryan Brotherhood,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “With today’s indictments and arrests, the Department of Justice, along with our state, local and federal partners, has targeted the core of this gang’s operations, and we will continue to target the criminal enterprises that harm our communities. endanger.”

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The DOJ alleges that SFC Peckerwoods sometimes takes orders from the Aryan Brotherhood and maintains an alliance with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

The 42 members arrested were among a total of 68 suspects charged.

The DOJ said members were active on social media, sharing information about their alleged criminal activities and gang rules, and that they used members-only Facebook groups.

The DOJ also alleged that members had “Nazi tattoos, graffiti and iconography to signify their violent white supremacist extremist ideology.”

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“The San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, the Aryan Brotherhood and their associates are united by one thing: hate,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Allen of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division. “However, it seems the hate speech wasn’t enough for them. Driven by greed, they engaged in other crimes, including drug distribution, putting deadly fentanyl on the streets. They operated from corners of the San Fernando Valley and committed their crimes inside and outside the 8-1-8 community. Today’s sweeping indictments and arrests reflect our continued commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that continue to harm our communities.”

Defendants were also arraigned on Wednesday when the charges against them were unveiled.