On September 4, 2025, a federal grand jury in Fresno issued two indictments for drug trafficking and one for illegal gun possession, according to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
In Modesto, Manuel Rodriguez Diaz, 41, was charged with possessing more than five kilograms of cocaine. Court documents state that on July 10, 2025, Diaz was stopped by law enforcement while driving north on California State Road 99 in Madera County. Officers found and seized approximately 27.65 kilograms (61 pounds) of cocaine from his vehicle. The investigation involved the California Highway Patrol, the Madera Police Department, the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team, the Madera County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting this case.
In Bakersfield, Steven Paul Garcia, 53, faces charges for possessing over 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to court records, Garcia was pulled over on August 26, 2025 while driving north on California State Road 99 in Fresno County. Deputies seized about 22 pounds of methamphetamine packaged in one-pound bags during the stop. The investigation included efforts from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Bakersfield Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is also prosecuting this case.
In Fresno, Thomas Carter Beasley, 20, was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court documents indicate that on November 16, 2024 law enforcement attempted to pull Beasley over in Fresno but he led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing into a parked car and fleeing on foot through an apartment complex where he was apprehended. Officers later recovered a loaded Glock .40-caliber pistol hidden under a doormat along his flight path; its serial number matched evidence left at the crash scene. At that time Beasley was on probation following a felony conviction for receiving a stolen motor vehicle and is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Robert Veneman-Hughes after an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
If convicted of their respective charges Diaz and Garcia face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years up to life imprisonment plus fines up to $10 million each; Beasley faces up to fifteen years imprisonment and a $250000 fine if convicted though sentencing will be determined by judicial discretion under federal guidelines considering various factors.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
These cases fall under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative using resources from agencies such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)—aimed at countering illegal immigration activities eliminating cartels/transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators through coordinated law enforcement actions: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf
The prosecution against Beasley is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods which brings together different levels of law enforcement with community groups to reduce violent crime/gun violence; PSN’s strategy includes building trust supporting prevention-focused organizations prioritizing strategic enforcement efforts and measuring results: https://www.justice.gov/psn
“Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
“The case involving Beasley is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.”
“On May 26, 2021,the U.S.Departmentof Justice launchedaviolentcrimereductionstrategystrengthening PSN basedonthesecoreprinciples:fosteringtrustandlegitimacyinourcommunities,supportingcommunity-basedorganizationsthathelppreventviolencefromoccurringinthefirstplace ,settingfocusedandstrategicenforcementpriorities,andmeasuringtheresults.”
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