SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Several law agencies executed numerous search and arrest warrants Thursday morning as part of Operation Daisy Cutty in El Dorado County, Alpine County, Douglas County, Washoe County and South Lake Tahoe.
The operation was the culmination of a multi-agency, multi-year effort targeting cartel-supplied gangs in the Tahoe bi-state region.
The September 11, 2025, law enforcement activity saw search warrants served on seven locations in South Lake Tahoe, with six additional locations in neighboring jurisdictions. At the time of this story, the operation netted 10 arrests in California and five in Nevada.
Operation Daisy Cutter is an effort to disrupt gang activity, reduce violent crime, and hold cartel-linked leaders, members, and associates accountable. The takedown is also part of a nationwide FBI initiative against cartel-backed criminal enterprises, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.
The prosecutions are being led by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, which obtained 20 of the warrants. Partner agencies include the District Attorneys’ Offices of Alpine County, Douglas County, Carson City, and Washoe County, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. Together, these offices are coordinating a unified response to dismantle violent, predatory organizations that endanger community safety.
The suspects arrested in this operation are as follows:
- Jaxon Babson: 24 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Dakota Bertram: 29 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Carlos Estrada: 26 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Ernesto Estrada: 24 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Robert Brown: 29 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Amber Walker: 28 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Kaela Horse-Berreman: 36 years old, of Markleeville
- Roberto Guzman: 61 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Guadalupe Neri: 28 years old, of Reno
- Noah Paul: 26 years old, of Gardnerville
- Toby Paul: 20 years old, of Gardnerville
- Josue Jacquez: 26 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Levi Hayes: 24 years old, of Reno
- Joshua Van Roy: 38 years old, of South Lake Tahoe
- Kayli Koffer: 24 years old, of Reno
The defendants in this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty. They face a variety of charges, including: Possession of cocaine for sale, possession of fentanyl for sale, possession of ketamine for sale, illegal sale of firearms, and probation violation (not all charges applicable to all defendants).
“El Dorado County stands as one of California’s safest counties due to our unwavering commitment to prioritizing accountability for criminal misconduct. This operation underscores our dedication to public safety and justice, achieved through a robust and dynamic partnership with our local and federal law enforcement allies, working together to protect our community,” said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson. His office is calling this “Operation Summer Heat.”
Pierson said the warrants include Norteño gang leaders and associates accused of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl while attempting to recruit middle and high school students. Some are alleged to have exploited male recruits to gain access to underage girls. The DA said additional defendants include individuals who were previously deported in March 2025 and now face felony warrants if they return, members of outlaw motorcycle gangs such as the Devil’s Disciples and the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington (POBOB) who deserted military service after falsely claiming Army Infantry experience, and other gang members connected to fatal overdoses.
This coordinated effort involved the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Alpine County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Several warrants remain active and will be executed in the coming weeks. Investigators extend their thanks to the public, whose tips directly contributed to the success of Operation Daisy Cutter.