FBI operation in Stanislaus nets arrests in interstate drug-trafficking operation

At least six people were arrested in Stanislaus County on Wednesday by FBI agents assisted by Modesto and Turlock police.

Lauren Horwood, spokeswoman for the California Eastern District office of the U.S. Attorney's Office, gave a brief statement to The Bee, saying the six arrested "were charged in a sealed indictment last Thursday (April 5) with 'multistate drug trafficking organization with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin'.”

The indictment since has been unsealed, she said.

The six in custody are Jimmy Jamar Brantley, 40 and Alecia Michelle Trapps, 54, both of Manteca; Sheena Catrice Taylor, 41; Joseph Charles Vasquez, 30; and Walter Ernest Westley, 60; all of Modesto; and Carmen Conejo, 51, of Long Beach. Turlock Police Department was one of the arresting agencies listed for Vasquez.

A seventh person, Damian Gabriel Cortez, 40, was arrested Wednesday by the FBI in an unrelated case and is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Horwood said.

Agents apparently served search warrants at multiple locations, including 2812 Mission Bell Lane in east Modesto. The serving of a search warrant at that home involved SWAT and ATF officers.

Investigators seized 45 pounds of meth, four pounds of heroin and three pounds of cocaine, according to federal prosecutors.

According to court documents, the suspects are believed to have been involved in a trafficking operation in Modesto and Juneau, AK. The indictment also alleges some of the activity took place in Sacramento County.

This story was originally published April 12, 2018 at 10:09 AM with the headline "FBI operation in Stanislaus nets arrests in interstate drug-trafficking operation."