NINE CHARGED IN POMONA MEXICAN MAFIA CASE INVOLVING ATTEMPTED MURDER, EXTORTION AND GHOST GUNS

LOS ANGELES — Nine individuals have been charged in a Los Angeles County investigation involving an alleged Mexican Mafia-directed murder conspiracy, attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle and extortion scheme centered on a victim accused of violating gang rules in Pomona.

Eight of the defendants are alleged associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. A ninth defendant is accused of assisting one of the alleged participants by removing spent ammunition casings from the scene of the attempted murder in an effort to eliminate evidence.

The case developed from an investigation launched in July 2026 by the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau following an attempted killing in Pomona and continuing efforts to extort the intended victim.

Investigators allege the victim was targeted over a perceived debt that high-ranking Mexican Mafia associates considered a serious violation of the organization’s rules.

According to authorities, the victim was placed on an “86” list, effectively banning the individual from entering Pomona or patronizing illegal casinos controlled by the Mexican Mafia under threat of death.

Investigators said the victim’s vehicle was also taken as part of the extortion and that associates of the organization later demanded money in exchange for removing the threat of violence and helping return the vehicle.

The alleged murder attempt occurred after the victim was seen driving on a residential street in Pomona in July 2026.

Authorities allege a gunman fired between 12 and 15 rounds from a handgun while continuing to advance toward the victim’s vehicle.

The victim’s vehicle was struck at least three times.

A separate vehicle parked near a church was hit at least four times, including a bullet strike to the driver-side headrest area, underscoring the danger the shooting allegedly posed to people beyond the intended target.

The victim survived the attack.

Investigators allege that after the shooting, another individual collected spent ammunition casings from the scene, interfering with law enforcement’s ability to recover potential ballistic and forensic evidence.

The alleged removal of the casings is significant because cartridge cases can contain tool marks, fingerprints, DNA or other evidence capable of linking a firearm or individual to a shooting.

Following the attempted murder, associates of the Mexican Mafia allegedly contacted the victim and demanded $2,000 to remove the threat of violence and facilitate the return of the vehicle that had been taken.

Authorities allege the attempted murder, murder conspiracy and extortion were coordinated by several high-ranking Mexican Mafia associates over a perceived debt considered a serious violation of the organization’s rules.

Search warrants executed during the investigation, including warrants served on October 7, resulted in the seizure of approximately $200,000 in cash, methamphetamine and 11 illegal firearms.

Authorities described the seized weapons as ‘ghost guns,’ stating that they either lacked serial numbers or had serial numbers that had been obliterated.

Six defendants were taken into custody at their residences on October 7.

Jose Montano, 34, of Compton; Stephane Lechuga, 25, of Ontario; Joseph Rizo, 56, of Chino Hills; Irving Cisneros, 34, of Hacienda Heights; Jovana Reyes, 37, of Monterey Park; and Ruben Figueroa, 48, of Pomona were arrested during the coordinated operation.

Two additional defendants remained wanted at the time authorities announced the case.

Jeffrey Griffin, 44, of Montclair, and David Arenas, 30, of Pomona were being sought by the task force.

Jose Argumedo, 47, of Monterey Park, was already incarcerated on unrelated charges when the case was announced.

The charges were filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office rather than federal prosecutors, although the investigation involved extensive federal participation through the FBI-led task force.

The San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force has investigated organized criminal activity in the region since its formation in 2008.

The task force is headquartered at the Pomona Police Department and includes personnel from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pomona Police Department, El Monte Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Services Unit, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Operation Safe Jails and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau.

The involvement of corrections personnel and jail-investigations units reflects the structure of cases involving prison-based criminal organizations, where orders and disputes can extend from incarcerated leadership into neighborhood gangs, illegal gambling operations and street-level enforcement activity.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau also played a central role in the investigation. The bureau conducts organized-crime and prison-gang investigations across the county and provides specialized investigative support to law enforcement agencies throughout the region.

The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, has long been identified by law enforcement as a prison-based criminal organization that exerts influence over affiliated street gangs and criminal activity both inside and outside correctional institutions.

In this case, investigators allege that the organization’s influence was enforced through threats of death, an exclusion order, seizure of property, extortion and an attempted execution.

The October 7 arrests represent the latest enforcement action in the investigation, but authorities are still seeking Griffin and Arenas.

All charges remain allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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