Casillas

MEMORANDUM **

Carlos Abel Casillas was charged by federal authorities with racketeering and drug-dealing crimes allegedly committed as one of the leaders of the Southern California Vineland Boys Street Gang (“VBS”). Rather than stand trial, Casillas pleaded guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement. Casillas pleaded guilty to one count each of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1962 (d) (racketeering); 21 U.S.C. § 846 (conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine); and 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a), b(1)(A) (aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine). Casillas admitted he joined the VBS in 1987 and, by 2002, had risen to a supervisory position within the organization; Casillas further admitted he helped the VBS distribute approximately ten kilograms of methamphetamine. The district court sentenced Casillas to 235 months imprisonment.

In the plea agreement, Casillas reserved the right to appeal the district court’s order denying his motion to suppress evidence procured through a wiretap on his telephone, on the grounds the application for…