6 From Coachella Valley Charged by Federal Prosecutors with Drug, Firearm Offenses

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA --- Six Coachella Valley residents, four of whom were arrested Thursday during a multi-agency raid in Desert Hot Springs, were charged by federal prosecutors with drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

Julio Cesar Gomez, 31, of Indio, Angel Alejandro Carmona, 30, of Coachella, and Steven Andrew Gonzalez, 32, of Indio, were charged in an indictment with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to a U.S. District Attorney's release.

Gomez also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of an assault rifle with an obliterated serial number, while Carmona is charged with being a felon in possession of a .357- caliber handgun. Gomez and Carmona were arrested during this morning's raid, while Gonzalez is in state prison in Wasco, California.

Francisco Remigio Figueroa, 34, Mario Vincent Lopez, 49, and Donnie Darnel Dennis, 38, all of Desert Hot Springs, were also charged for various methamphetamine and firearm related offenses.

Figueroa, who is currently in jail in Riverside County, was charged with distributing methamphetamine and marijuana and possessing a 20-gauge shotgun and ammunition after being convicted of multiple state felonies.

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Lopez is charged with distributing methamphetamine, as well as possessing an unregistered 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition after being convicted of multiple state felonies.

Dennis was also charged with distributing methamphetamine. Lopez and Dennis were arrested this morning in Desert Hot Springs, during the operation that resulted in 22 total arrests for weapons and narcotics trafficking.

Five of the men face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment in a federal institution if convicted. Figueroa faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 65 years if convicted.

According to U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Thom Mrozek, Gomez, Lopez, and Dennis all appeared at the United States District Court in Riverside Thursday afternoon and were ordered detained pending trial. Carmona is scheduled for a court appearance this afternoon.

"Drug trafficking involving firearms continues to pose a tremendous danger to our communities," said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. "Several of these men were undeterred by prior state convictions, so now they must face federal charges and lengthy prison sentences."

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--City News Service