California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the success of Operation Royal Flush, a joint law enforcement effort aimed at reducing violent crime in Kings County. The operation, which began in September 2024, has resulted in 77 arrests, the seizure of 32 firearms, and the prevention of eight violent crimes. Additionally, it led to solving three homicides believed to be linked to criminal street gang activities.
"Throughout the state, the California Department of Justice and our allied partners are working together to prevent violent crime carried out by criminal street gangs in our communities," said Attorney General Bonta. "Our joint efforts up and down the Golden State have led to hundreds of arrests, the solving of numerous homicides, and the confiscation of thousands of firearms, a staggering amount of drugs, and a sizable amount of cash. These actions serve as a powerful reminder that we stand firm against violent crime in our state. I extend my gratitude to our teams and law enforcement partners statewide. Their crucial and challenging work is saving countless lives."
The operation was initiated after agents from the Kings County Major Crimes Task Force (KCMCTF) observed an increase in gang-related violence during the summer of 2023. Investigations revealed frequent acts of violence committed by Norteño gang members across various jurisdictions within Kings County. In July 2024, KCMCTF sought assistance from the California Department of Justice’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) for an investigation into these crimes.
The investigation gathered enough evidence to arrest and charge 14 suspects for their roles in three homicides that occurred in Avenal, Corcoran, and Kettleman City. Two victims were specifically targeted by Norteño gang members while a third victim was an unintended casualty in a random act of violence.
Operation Royal Flush was spearheaded by KCMCTF alongside California DOJ’s SOU with support from several agencies including California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Kings County Sheriff’s Office among others.
The California Department of Justice is actively recruiting new personnel. Interested individuals can visit oag.ca.gov/careers for more information on available positions.