Federal authorities have indicted four members of the Brown Brotherhood gang on charges related to drug and firearms trafficking. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced that a federal grand jury returned four separate indictments against Leo Alphonzo Alonso-Medina, Jeremiah I’amafana Salanoa, Doroteo Suastegui, and Carlos Osvaldo Higuera-Aldana.
The Brown Brotherhood gang is identified as a subset of the Sureño gang and has been under investigation by the Vallejo Police Department and the Solano County Violent Crime Task Force. Their criminal activities reportedly include murder, robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, burglary, and dealing in stolen vehicles. The current investigation began in February 2024 and culminated in searches and arrests on February 27, 2025.
The indictment against Leo Alphonzo Alonso-Medina includes charges of distributing cocaine and methamphetamine, unlawful dealing in firearms, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $10 million fine.
Jeremiah I’amafana Salanoa is charged with three counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of distributing methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A conviction could result in life imprisonment and a $10 million fine.
Doroteo Suastegui faces charges for distributing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as unlawful dealing in firearms. He also faces up to life imprisonment and a $10 million fine if convicted.
Carlos Osvaldo Higuera-Aldana's indictment includes three counts of distributing methamphetamine and two counts related to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. His potential sentence mirrors those of his co-defendants: life imprisonment and a $10 million fine upon conviction.
These cases stem from investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI Violent Crime Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Fairfield Police Department; Vacaville Police Department; Vallejo Police Department; Solano County District Attorney’s Office; and Solano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt, R. Alex Cárdenas, and Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting these cases.
Sentencing will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines after any convictions are secured. It is important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through collaborative efforts among various agencies.