In a considerable enforcement action against hate-fueled criminal activities, federal and local agencies have detained 42 individuals tied to the SFV Peckerwoods, a neo-Nazi network operating in the San Fernando Valley, as part of a wide-ranging indictment targeting 68 members of the gang. As highlighted by the Justice Department, the indictment charges these individuals with a raft of serious offenses, including racketeering, drug and weapons trafficking, identity theft, and exploiting COVID-19 financial relief measures.
The collaborative effort, which involved the FBI, DEA, LAPD, and several other agencies, marks a decisive stance to aggressively dismantle what has been one of the more shadowy and insidious criminal entities in the area. In a public unveiling, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada characterized the takedown as one of the "largest takedowns in the history of the Department of Justice of a neo-Nazi, white supremacist, violent extremist organization." Estrada also emphasized the distinct maliciousness shown by the Peckerwoods through their involvement in drug peddling and financial crimes coupled with their visceral animosity toward ethnic and religious minorities.
According to an announcement from the Justice Department, this bust stands out not only for its size but for the depth and scope of the criminality it sought to confront. The Peckerwoods, known for their white supremacist ideology, are accused to have trafficked dangerous narcotics such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, and greedily plunged into various forms of financial fraud, including bank and identity theft, to support their operations.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis stressed the significance of the operation, designating it as "one of the largest investigative operations in L.A. County history", in a statement obtained by KTLA. This multi-faceted crackdown on the Peckerwoods specifically targeted their leadership and aimed to severely interrupt the flow of dangerous drugs onto the streets, as well as to restrict their financial fraud operations that served to both finance the gang and its violent ends.
In one notable instance, gang member Ryan Bradford was arrested while involved in drug sales and bomb-making. This arrest also led to the discovery of a "treasure trove" of white supremacist paraphernalia, including various symbols of hatred like swastikas and Confederate flags openly advertised on tattoos and social media. Bradford's menacing intent was further evidenced in his social media posts where he expressed a wish to harm Jewish people.
Estrada outlined the gravity of the crimes, stating that drug charges alone could result in sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life in prison.