25 Charged as Part of “Operation Gridlock”
Published on May 20, 2024
25 Charged as Part of “Operation Gridlock” Targeting Violent Street Gangs and Human Trafficking
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against twenty-five individuals with 55 felony counts in five separate cases stemming from Operation Gridlock, a multi-month, multi-agency effort to target violent street gangs and combat human trafficking in Fresno and the surrounding areas.
In People v. Gregory Brinkley et al, nine individuals are charged with 23 felony counts. Gregory Brinkley, Keontay Perry, Willie Price, James Oliver, Wendell Moton, Qiwon Whittiker, Elijah Brown, Ivrone Eason, and Dzire Richie are charged with crimes arising from a criminal street gang conspiracy, including pimping, pandering and human trafficking of victims for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Gregory Brinkley has been charged with pimping, pandering and human trafficking for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 48 years in prison. Brinkley is additionally charged with one “strike” offense. Brinkley is still at large.
Keontay Perry and Ivrone Eason have been charged with pimping and pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang and are facing a maximum punishment of life in prison. Both Perry and Eason are additionally charged with two “strike” offenses. Eason is still at large.
Willie Price and James Oliver have been charged with conspiracy to commit pimping and pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang, carrying a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.
Wendell Moton has been charged with pimping, pandering and human trafficking for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 24 years in prison.
Elijah Brown has been charged with pimping, pandering and human trafficking for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 44 years in prison. Brown is additionally charged with one “strike” offense.
Qiwon Whittiker has been charged with pimping and pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 16 years in prison. Whittiker is additionally charged with one “strike” offense.
Dzire Richie has been charged with conspiracy to commit pimping and pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang, carrying a maximum punishment of 16 years in prison. Richie is additionally charged with one “strike” offense.
In People v. Jaziah Cooper et al, four individuals are charged with 8 felony counts. Jaziah Cooper, Curtis Christy, Javonte Page, and Raquel Araiza have been charged with pimping, pandering human trafficking, and unlawful computer access for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Jaziah Cooper has been charged with pimping and pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.
Curtis Christy has been charged with pandering for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.
Javonte Page has been charged with pimping, pandering and human trafficking for the benefit of a criminal street gang and is facing a maximum punishment of 24 years in prison.
Raquel Araiza has been charged procuring a place for prostitution and unlawful computer access, both for the benefit of a criminal street gang, and is facing a maximum punishment of 7 years in prison.
In People v. Kamron Bell et al, ten individuals are charged with 23 felony counts. Kamron Bell, Geary Manning, Tahjay Wong, Marcell Davis, Bruce August, Byron Neal, Darreante Johnson, Christa Smith, Melvin Garner, and Darryl Ireland have been charged with various illegal firearm possession and ammunition crimes. The maximum punishment is 3 years in state prison for Bell, Wong, Davis, Smith, Garner, and Ireland. Johnson is facing a maximum punishment of 4 years, 8 months. Manning and Neal are facing a maximum punishment of 6 years in prison, and each are additionally charged with one “strike” offense. Wong, Davis, and August are still at large.
In People v. Joseph Ray Packard, one individual has been charged with 2 felony counts. Joseph R. Packard is charged with shooting at an inhabited dwelling for the benefit of a criminal street gang, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Packard is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison. In People v. Edward Tucker, one individual has been charged with 2 felony counts. Edward Tucker has been charged with one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Tucker is facing a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
Additional charges are still pending review for other individuals believed to be involved in this gang conspiracy. An arraignment on all five cases is expected for Tuesday, May 21st in the Fresno Superior Court. People v. Tucker is set to be arraigned in Department 30. People v. Cooper et al is set to be arraigned in Department 32. People v. Packard is set to be arraigned in Department. 33. People v. Brinkley et al and People v. Bell et al are set to be arraigned in Department 34. This operation was led by the Fresno Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (M.A.G.E.C.) and the Fresno Police Department.
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