LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announces that Dario Jorge Herrera was arrested today in Los Angeles after a criminal complaint was filed charging him with distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
The federal complaint alleges that Herrera, age 46, sold heroin multiple times to an ATF confidential informant who was working in an undercover capacity. The complaint also alleges that Herrera sold thirty one firearms to the same confidential informant during the investigation started by ATF, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2011. A federal search warrant was also served on Herrera's business located at 8419 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles. During Herrera's arrest, approximately 11 pounds of suspected heroin along with seven firearms were recovered at his business.
"The central objective of ATF is ensuring the safety of local residents," says Steven J. Bogdalek Special Agent in Charge ATF Los Angeles Field Division. "In order to accomplish this mission, ATF will aggressively target individuals who seek to diminish the general welfare of our communities through violence, narcotics sales and illegal firearms trafficking. This investigation is far from over; ATF will now determine where those firearms came from and how they ended up in Herrera's possession."
Herrera is schedule to be arraigned Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Calif.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation was conducted by ATF, LAPD, and DEA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chou.
ATFis the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms violations along with arson and explosive incidents. More information onATFcan be found at www.atf.gov.
Contact:Christian Hoffman, Special Agent - PIO
Office:(818) 265-2507
Cell: (213) 216-3622
christian.hoffman@atf.gov
SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
