In early September, a multi-agency task force arrested members and associates of the Santana Block Crips, a Los Angeles, California, street gang accused of distributing large quantities of cocaine later sold to dealers in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, among other states. Of those arrested, Frederick Staves is believed to be the undisputed leader of the gang. Staves' wife was also arrested on money laundering charges for her alleged role as her husband's business manager. Numerous other defendants were named in a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court. A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime.
Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.