By Jonathan Friedman
Staff Writer
October 22, 2009 -- A year-and-a-half Santa Monica Police Department investigation of the Graveyard Crips gang has led to the arrest of three suspects in a 2008 murder and six men for sale of narcotics.
An additional murder suspect is at-large, and police are working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to secure federal warrants for four other men suspected of local gang activity.
All four men are Santa Monica residents, police said. The Graveyard Crips has some 20 members.
“For years, neighborhoods in Santa Monica have suffered through illegal drug activity that has financed gang operations as well as fueled a high level of violence,” Police Chief Tim Jackman said during a press conference Wednesday at the Santa Monica Library.
“This violence has included stabbings, shootings and other acts of aggression and intimidation, and … murder,” Jackman said.
The four murder suspects – Sammy Murphy, 50; Gwindon Love Murphy, 65; Jason Anthony Hurtado, 26 and Jason Eddie Coleman, 27 – are accused of beating to death 49-year-old Preston Brumfield on May 11, 2008.
The Murphy brothers and Hurtado have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon and violations of the state’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act. The Murphys have been charged with an additional count of solicitation to commit an assault with a deadly weapon. If convicted, the three men could face life in prison.
Coleman is not in custody. Jackman said it is believed he is in the area, and the police chief asked those who have information about Coleman’s whereabouts to contact the police department. It can be done anonymously.
The murder took place in front of 1948 20th Street, not far from Brumfield’s home. Lt. Mike Beautz said the suspected motive was that Brumfield “insulted one of the members of the gang.”
Brumfield was found beaten to death in a pool of blood on the sidewalk. He died from his injuries four days later at UCLA Medical Center.
Brumfield’s murder was one of 168 gang-related serious crimes that have taken place in Santa Monica during the past nine years. Those crimes include assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder and murder. Jackman said in 90 of those crimes, it could not be proven that the victims had a gang affiliation.
“More often than not, the gangs are targeting innocent members of our community with their violence,” Jackman said. “This must stop.”
Shortly after the murder, Santa Monica police began a court-authorized wiretapping of suspected gang members’ telephones. In addition to revealing information about the Brumfield murder, it also informed police about the gang’s alleged involvement in the sale of rock cocaine.
An undercover investigation, dubbed “Operation Tombstone,” was initiated this year based on the drug communications in the wiretaps. Five men and one woman ranging in ages 22 to 44 have been arrested so far, but the investigation is ongoing and could lead to more arrests.
They are:
- Shawn Rodney Martin - 25
- Dante Lamar Harrington - 32
- Dino Joseph Henry - 46
- Guillermo Castellgarcia - 22
- Frank Javier Villareal - 28
- Crystal Laurette Clark- 44
Four male foreign nationals who had previously been deported for criminal activity and returned to this area are wanted regarding their alleged participation in street gang activity. Santa Monica police are working with ICE to obtain federal arrest warrants for these suspects.
They are:
- Florencio Astorga Hernandez - Male Latin / 32
- Juan Godinez - Male Latin / 38
- Filiberto Garcia Pena - Male Latin / 39
- Mynor Alfonso Chacon - Male Latin / 35
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office last week issued letters to nearly 200 people whose conversations were recorded. Many of these people will be contacted to clarify statements that they made in conversations.
Jackman said he hopes people take the police actions as a strong warning not to sell narcotics in this city.
“The people that perpetrate violence in the community of Santa Monica, if they’re going to do that and also engage in narcotics sales, we are going to use every tool possible to get them far, far away from Santa Monica for a long time.”
Anyone with knowledge of Mr. Brumfield’s murder or the location of the outstanding suspects sholluld casare encouraged Det. John Henry at 310.458.8978 or Sgt. Ira Rutan at 310.458.8959 or the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8495.
Those wishing remain anonymous, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463). You will remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.
