February 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Police Report:: Arrests Made and Suspects Sought in Homicide and Narcotics Investigation

Wednesday, October 21, Santa Monica Police Chief Timothy Jackman, along with other detectives, and Los Angeles County District Attorney Hardcore Gang Division member, Alva Lin, held a press conference at The Santa Monica Public Library regarding an intensive murder and narcotics investigation, that lasted over a year, and included court-authorized wiretaps as well as an undercover drug sting.

The investigation primarily focused on a small Pico district gang, known as the “Graveyard Crips,” comprising approximately 20 members, who had been terrorizing community members, and had been suspects in the May 11 2008 murder of Preston Brumfield, aged 49. Mr. Brumfield was discovered severely beaten and laying in a pool of blood in front of 1948 20th Street on the aforementioned date. He was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he died four days later. Sammy Murphy, 50; Gwindon Love Murphy, 65; and Jason Anthony Hurtado, 26, have all been charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney with murder, conspiracy to commit an assault with a deadly weapon, and violations of the state’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. A fourth suspect, Eddie Coleman, also of Santa Monica, is being sought in connection to the Brumfield murder investigation.

An undercover narcotics operation, entitled “Operation Tombstone” (a reference to the gang name of “Graveyard Crips”) began in 2009, based on information gained from wiretaps that had identified suspected members of this gang as local drug dealers. In total, as well as the three arrested for the murder of Preston Brumfield, police have arrested six more people for involvement of narcotic sales. These six people are: Shawn Rodney Martin, 25; Dante Lamar Harrington, 32; Dino Joseph Henry, 46; Guillermo Castellgarcia, 22; Frank Javier Villareal, 28; and Crystal Laurette Clark, 44.

The Santa Monica Police Department is currently working on collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to secure federal arrest warrants for the following Santa Monica Gang members: Florencio Astorga Hernandez, male Latino, 32; Juan Godinez, male Latino, 38; Filiberto Garcia Pena, male Latino, 39, and Mynor Alfonso Chacon, male Latino, 35.

Anyone with any knowledge of Mr. Brumfield’s murder, or knowledge of the whereabouts of any of the outstanding suspects, is asked to contact Detective John Henry, at 310.458.8978, or Sgt. Ira Rutan at 310.458.8959, or contact The Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8495.

If you wish to remain anonymous, please call WeTip at 1.800.78.CRIME (1.800.78.24763). You will remain completely anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward if your information leads to an arrest and conviction.

in News
<>Related Posts

 (Video) Beaten Dead Body Found on Santa Monica Shore

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene. pic.twitter.com/88huU3goOO — Santa Monica...

Worker Relief Fund Launched for Those Impacted by Palisades Fire

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

In addition to direct relief, the county is seeking donations for the fund Los Angeles County has launched the LA...

How Much Have Palisades Property Values Slipped After the Fire?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Property prices drop as sellers and buyers remain at odds in post-fire market Property values in Pacific Palisades have taken...

Retailers Impose Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Community Protest and Petition Against Controversial EPA Plan For Hazardous Waste Site

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

CD 11 City Councilmember Park to Hold Community Town Hall on Will Rogers Site Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...

Mysterious Death Near Santa Monica Shoreline, Police Investigating

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

SMPD Seeks Information About Victim With Facial Trauma  The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death of a woman...

Burned Palisades Lot Sells for Nearly $1M: REPORT

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Aerial images show the property was among several homes in the neighborhood destroyed by the fire A vacant lot in...

Palisades Symphony to Host Benefit Concert to Support Displaced Musicians

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Several members of the Palisades Symphony lost their homes in the fires, making this concert a deeply personal effort The...

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...

Rescheduled 2024 Homeless Count Needs More Volunteers on the Westside

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Not Enough Volunteers to Successfully Count Unhoused Angelenos This Year With the rescheduled dates for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles...

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

10-Year-Old Palisades Girl Wins Martial Arts Medals Weeks After Losing Home to Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Savoian, a green belt in Yoshukai karate, trained at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in Pacific Palisades Just weeks after...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...