Introduction to the Arrests

In a series of coordinated raids in the Los Angeles area and Florida, 13 purported members and associates of Armenian crime syndicates were arrested Tuesday on federal charges, including murder and kidnapping in connection with efforts to expand their criminal enterprises in the San Fernando Valley.

Charges and Arrests

The defendants were charged in five federal criminal complaints, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. One defendant remains at large. Prosecutors said the raids carried out Tuesday morning also led to the seizure of about $100,000 in cash, three armored vehicles, and 14 firearms.

Statement from Homeland Security

"This transnational criminal organization operated with the structure and brutality of an international cartel, inflicting significant harm on public safety and causing substantial damage to legitimate commerce and supply chains," Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Dwayne Angebrandt said in a statement. "Dismantling transnational criminal organizations is at the core of HSI’s mission, and through close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are holding these perpetrators accountable and disrupting their criminal enterprise at every level."

Defendants and Charges

Among the defendants charged were Ara Artuni, 41, of Porter Ranch, who was charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and Robert Amiryan, 46, of Hollywood, who was charged with kidnapping, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Details of the Operations

According to prosecutors, the operations targeted Armenian Organized Crime, a Russian mafia-affiliated criminal organization that uses the Los Angeles area as its base of U.S. operations. Prosecutors said two of the organization’s local leaders — Artuni and Amiryan — have been engaged in a violent power struggle for territorial control, leading to multiple attempted murders and a kidnapping.

Specific Crimes

Artuni allegedly ordered the attempted murder of Amiryan in summer 2023, while Amiryan allegedly conspired with associates to kidnap and torture one of Artuni’s associates in June 2023.
Artuni and members of his enterprise also allegedly engaged in crimes such as bank fraud, wire fraud and "cargo theft," targeting online retailers such as Amazon — with Artuni associates becoming shipping contractors for the company and stealing shipments of deliveries totaling more than $83 million.

Prison Sentences

Prosecutors said the defendants face prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.

Conclusion

The arrests of these 13 alleged Armenian crime syndicate members mark a significant step in dismantling transnational criminal organizations that operate with brutality and inflict harm on public safety. The collaboration between law enforcement partners has been crucial in holding these perpetrators accountable and disrupting their criminal enterprise at every level.

FAQs

• Q: How many people were arrested in the raids?
  • A: 13 purported members and associates of Armenian crime syndicates were arrested.
• Q: What were the defendants charged with?
  • A: The defendants were charged with various federal crimes, including murder, kidnapping, attempted murder, bank fraud, wire fraud, and cargo theft.
• Q: What was the significance of the operation?
  • A: The operation targeted Armenian Organized Crime, a Russian mafia-affiliated criminal organization, and aimed to disrupt their criminal enterprise and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Q: What is the potential penalty for the defendants?
  • A: The defendants face prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in prison.