Operation Bear Trap task force members take Edgar Ivan Trejo-Mendoza.
A Lake Tahoe man known to have connections to the Sureño gang members and affiliates was convicted of a firearm charge and is on his way to being deported.
Authorities announced on Thursday that Edgar Ivan Trejo-Mendoza, 30, admitted to felony unlawful transfer of a firearm in El Dorado County Superior Court.
He was sentenced to the 17 days time served in the El Dorado County Jail since his Feb. 7 arrest in Cool, Calif., south of Auburn, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Trejo-Mendoza was originally arrested on charges of possession of a firearm as a prohibited person (due to a domestic violence restraining order), sale of an assault weapon to a felon, fugitive from justice and illegal entry into the United States.
“Trejo was identified as part of a criminal network trafficking firearms and narcotics, fueling violent crime in the Tahoe area,” officials said.
Douglas County is a participant in Operation Bear Trap, a multi-year joint investigation targeting violent crime, illegal firearms trafficking, and narcotics distribution in the region.
The operation is jointly led by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, ATF Sacramento, DEA Sacramento, and FBI Sacramento
“The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to disrupting violent crime, gang activity, and illegal firearms trafficking,” officials said. “Through partnerships with federal agencies, we continue to pursue arrests, prosecutions, and, where applicable, deportation of individuals engaged in criminal enterprises. These actions aim to prevent gang recruitment, protect our schools, and ensure public safety. We urge community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. Together, we can make Douglas County and surrounding areas safer for our families.”