Southwest
Unusual pet seized during operation targeting gang members in Texas
A multi-agency operation in Dallas resulted in the arrest of eight alleged gang members in possession of guns, drugs, money and a reptilian accomplice.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) led the investigation resulting in the execution of “Operation Blue Laces” in South Dallas on Monday.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham said the operation resulted in the arrest of eight members of the 42 Oakland Crips street gang.
During the operation, agents reportedly seized 14 firearms, over a kilogram of methamphetamine pills, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, alprazolam, marijuana, hash and over $47,000 in cash. Investigators also seized six vehicles, multiple pieces of Crips-themed jewelry and a caiman alligator.
BLOODTHIRSTY VENEZUELAN STREET GANG SPARKS FEAR IN US AMID MIGRANT SURGE: WHAT TO KNOW
An ATF-led investigation into gang activity in South Dallas resulted in eight alleged gang members getting arrested and an alligator being seized. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
With the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the gator was taken to the Dallas Zoo.
Those arrested included Kendrick Jamal Young, Christopher Jamiel Love, Alex Jerome Bowman, Victor Scott Wingham, Joshua Jimond Wheatley, Travion Williams, Jihadd Thies Gorree Thomas and Jamarian Augustus Hewitt.
Young, Love, Bowman, Wingham and Wheatley were all charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, while Young, Love and Hewitt were also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Hewitt also faces crimes of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug felony.
Additionally, Williams and Thomas were charged with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
NEW YORK PROSECUTORS INDICT SUSPECTED CRIPS GANG MEMBERS FOR STRING OF MURDERS, VIOLENCE OVER SEVERAL YEARS
Investigators seized 14 guns during an operation targeting alleged gang members in the South Dallas area. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
During a detention hearing on Friday, prosecutors accused the defendants of dealing drugs daily at an area known as the “Dead End.”
The prosecutors also presented evidence suggesting that several members of the operation used text messages to warn each other about raids by law enforcement officials, and after the raids, they sent “young people” to look for missing drugs. Prosecutors also claim the suspects went back to dealing drugs at the conclusion of the raid.
According to Meacham’s office, many of the suspects have extensive criminal histories that include crimes related to drugs and guns.
31 ‘BLOODS’-LINKED GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR SHOOTINGS, MURDER OF SCHOOLTEACHER IN NY
Investigators seized Crips-themed jewelry while executing an operation targeting gang activity in the South Dallas area. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
“Operation Blue Laces” was executed by the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, the Dallas Police Department, Homeland Security Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigative Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Game Wardens.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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