Multi-jurisdiction 'Operation Bear Trap' results in arrest of South Lake Tahoe gang member
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 10/30/2023 - 2:22pm
A multi-year investigation, "Operation Bear Trap" resulted in the arrest Monday of a third member of a gang operating in South Lake Tahoe and the 76th arrest since the investigation began.
Operation Bear Trap led to the identification of Jose Medina, a known Sureno gang member in South Lake Tahoe. During the investigation, Medina is alleged to have illegally sold FBI Safe Streets Investigators narcotics, firearms and illegal parts which convert a semi-auto firearm into an illegal fully automatic firearm, according to a news release from South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
A search and arrest warrant were issued for Jose Medina and his residence.
The multi-jurisdiction team of investigators is led by South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado DA’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff’s and Carson City Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators from the agencies coordinated as part of the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force. Operation Bear Trap targets narcotics and illegal firearms sales in the Tahoe Basin. Operation Bear Trap uncovered members affiliated with the gang, “Surenos” operating within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Monday's arrest of Jose Medina marked the 3rd arrest of a Sureno gang member in South Lake Tahoe. To date, Operation Bear Trap has totaled 76 arrests.
Due to the nature of the investigation, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department Crisis Response Team was utilized to serve the search and arrest warrant in the 2500 Block of Chris Av in South Lake Tahoe. Jose Medina surrendered to officers on scene without incident. Medina is a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Medina is on active probation through El Dorado County for being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.
During a search of the residence, the following items were recovered: cocaine packaged for sales, an illegal short-barreled Ar-15 style rifle, a Glock handgun with an illegal 30 round magazine and illegal parts to convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. Medina is currently being held without bail at the El Dorado County Jail on the following charges, all of which are felonies:
- Prohibited person in possession of a firearm
- Prohibited person in possession of ammunition
- Sales of cocaine
- Sales of methamphetamine
- Possession and transport of machine guns
- Sales of machine guns
Operation Bear Trap previously yielded arrests of two other local Sureno gang members. After illegally selling FBI Safe Street Investigators cocaine and illegal parts designed to transform a semi-automatic firearm into an illegal fully automatic firearm, Oscar Nunez was arrested in Carson City on March 24, 2023.
On Oct. 4, 2021, Carlos Perez was arrested at his residence in South Lake Tahoe during the execution of a search warrant. Perez, also a known Sureno gang member in South Lake Tahoe, was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of child pornography.
