Thirteen indicted for drug trafficking operation centered in Paso Robles
–This week, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that thirteen individuals have been indicted for conspiring to sell and transport for sale heroin and methamphetamine across San Luis Obispo County.
Prosecutors presented evidence of the large drug trafficking operation to the Criminal Grand Jury over six days after which indictments were issued on Monday, March 2, 2020. The indictments were sealed by the court until the individuals were arrested and brought before a judge for arraignment Friday.
The drug trafficking operation was centered in Paso Robles and operated out of multiple locations within the county, including one residential property adjacent to the Paso Robles High School located at 203 Veronica Drive. The apparent leader of the drug trafficking organization was Rogelio “Rabi” Miranda who regularly coordinated with a supply source in Mexico and traveled to a stash house in the Los Angeles area to retrieve narcotics before returning to Paso Robles for distribution.
Twelve of the thirteen defendants have been arrested and eleven appeared in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Friday. One has posted bail and one is remaining out of custody subject to arrest on a felony warrant.
“I am extremely pleased with the efforts of the Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit to take down a major drug trafficking organization that was operating in San Luis Obispo County,” said Sheriff Ian Parkinson. “I am grateful that working with our partners, Homeland Security Investigations, County Probation Department and the District Attorney’s Office that we were able to get the drugs and those dealing the drugs off the streets.”
The following individuals were indicted by the Grand Jury:
- Rogelio “Rabi” Miranda, DOB: 10/06/1977, Paso Robles
- Natasha Pringle, DOB: 02/24/1990, Paso Robles
- Misty “Chicken” Ashley, DOB: 08/19/1974, Paso Robles
- David “Bologna” Henry, DOB: 09/17/1978, Paso Robles
- Ecstacia “Tacey” Willis, DOB: 07/29/1995, Paso Robles
- Angela Kapp, DOB: 03/26/1986, Paso Robles (Bailed, arraignment on 3/18/2020)
- Sean Loppnow, DOB: 07/24/1984, Templeton
- Samantha Hogle, DOB: 02/09/1967, Paso Robles (Arrest warrant issued)
- Randy Jordan, DOB: 06/15/1970, Santa Maria
- David Merino, DOB: 11/15/1970, Grover Beach
- Robert “Bodie” Dugger, DOB: 04/19/1982, Paso Robles
- Robert Bridgman, DOB: 01/09/1984, Paso Robles
- Casey Cravens, DOB: 07/18/1990, Paso Robles
“Trafficking of hard drugs is an extreme danger to the health and safety of our community, especially to our youth and young adults,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “I am grateful to the Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit who tirelessly investigated and has now dismantled this large and dangerous criminal enterprise in our community.”
The indictment alleges multiple charges against the various members of the drug trafficking organization including that they conspired to sell and transport for sale heroin and methamphetamine.
The grand jury hearing and indictment was the result of a year-long investigation led by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit which began in late 2018. The investigation included assistance from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, San Luis Obispo County Probation Department, and the San Luis Obispo County Gang Task Force. The DA’s office convened a criminal grand jury hearing over a six-day period.
The defendants will appear again in Department 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Monday, March 9. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Delaney Henretty and Charlie Blair.
The DA notes that a criminal complaint, information, or indictment contains charges that must be proven in a court of law by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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