South Lake Tahoe police arrest known gang member for felony drug possession, domestic violence

A South Lake Tahoe man, believed to be a gang member, was arrested Sunday for possession of cocaine and domestic violence, South Lake Tahoe police report.

Jesus Rodriguez, 20, was arrested on James Street after officers responded to a residence on Blackwood Avenue regarding domestic battery.

According to Lt. Brian Williams, the victim stated she discovered Rodriguez had hidden a significant amount of cocaine inside the residence. The victim hid the drugs and was confronted by Rodriguez who forcibly held her down with his hands around her throat. The victim told officers that during the struggle, she was able to scream to her 8-year-old brother, also in the house, to call the police. The child called 911 for help.

The victim told authorities that Rodriquez then started flee from the residence with their 2-year-old toddler. She told officers she had attempted to prevent Rodriguez from taking their child. Rodriguez forcibly took the child from the victim, left the house and drove away prior to the police arriving. Rodriquez was found at his brother's home on James Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Officers returned the unharmed toddler back to the victim.

The victim turned over 20.6 grams of cocaine to responding officers.

Below is a news release of the incident provided by South Lake Tahoe Police Lt. Brian Willaims:

Gang Member Arrested for Drugs and Domestic Violence

South Lake Tahoe, CA - On Sunday, April 7th, 2013 Officers Jake Herminghaus and Ray Poole responded to a report of a domestic battery on Blackwood Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. The victim stated she had discovered her husband, 20-year-old Jesus Rodriguez, had hidden a significant amount of cocaine inside the residence they share with their two-year-old child. The victim re-hid the drugs prior to confronting Rodriguez about her discovery. When she refused his demand to return the cocaine to him, Rodriguez allegedly pushed the victim down on a bed and forcibly held her down with his hands around her throat. The victim said that during the struggle, she was able to scream to her 8-year-old brother, also in the house, to call the police. This child called 911 for help. The victim described that Rodriquez then started flee from the residence with their toddler. The victim explained she attempted to prevent Rodriguez from taking their child. Nevertheless, she said Rodriguez forcibly took the child from the victim, left the house and drove away prior to the police arriving. The victim turned over 20.6 grams of cocaine to responding officers.

Officer Chris Webber followed an investigative lead and located Rodriquez at the residence of his brother on James Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Rodriguez was arrested at his brother’s house for domestic battery and possession of a controlled substance for sale, both felonies. Officers returned the unharmed toddler back to the victim in this case. Rodriguez is an admitted member of the Norteno criminal street gang, and has been involved with prior violent gang related encounters in South Lake Tahoe.