Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Riverside, Calif. – Today the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Division announced the arrest of four members of the Eastside Riverside gang, including its leader, Ernie “Gordo” Hernandez, 55. Ernie Hernandez and his three associates were charged earlier this week in federal court with distribution of methamphetamine.

The other defendants arrested this morning – Angel “Bundy” Hernandez, 34, who is the son of Ernie Hernandez; Gilberto Diaz, 30; and Bryan Deniz, 25 – are also named in a criminal complaint that alleges they distributed methamphetamine from July 20 through August 9. Several of the drug transactions discussed in the complaint affidative occurred at Primestone Tires Auto Repair on 14th Street in Riverside.

“Criminal street gangs that claim its territory and attempt to traffic drugs and use firearms to bring violence into our communities for their profit will not be tolerated,” said ATF Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eric Harden. “ATF has zero tolerance for this criminal activity and will continue to eradicate it from our communities.”

The arrests stem from an ATF-led investigation targeting violent activity in and around the Riverside area. Eastside Riverside gang operates between the 91 Freeway and Chicago Avenue, Iris Street to Third Street. The gang can be identified in its writings by using the symbol "ESR."

The criminal complaint filed by the United States Attorney’s Office on Wednesday alleges that the defendants engaged in two transactions each involving approximately one pound of methamphetamine and another transaction involving about one-half pound of the drug.

As charged in the complaint – if convicted Ernie Hernandez, Bryan Deniz, and Gilberto Diaz all face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a sentence of up to life. Angel Hernanez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a sentence of up to 40 years. The four defendants arrested this morning made their initial court appearances this afternoon in federal court in Riverside.

The Riverside Police Department and Los Angeles Police Department were both instrumental in the Eastside Riverside investigation.

For more information about ATF and its programs visit www.atf.gov, follow ATF on Twitter @ATFHQ or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HQATF

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