Oakland sweep targets hardcore offenders

Police and federal agents rounded up 60 suspects in an undercover operation targeting career criminals in Oakland, Calif., prosecutors said Tuesday. The U.S. Attorney's office in San Francisco announced the results of Operation Gideon III, which included he seizure of several pounds of various drugs, 92 firearms and the arrest of members of alleged crime rings and robbery crews. U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag told reporters the four-month operation was spearheaded by Oakland police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "Over the past several months, ATF agents from around the country have been working alongside dedicated OPD officers to identify and remove those people who are plaguing our community with guns and violence," Haag said. "A significant number of weapons have been taken off the streets, and some serious offenders have been introduced to the federal judicial system." One of the defendants picked up during Gideon III had already pleaded guilty to the unspecified charges, Haag's office said in a written statement. The bulk of the defendants were charged with drug and firearms violations. Some were charged with assaulting federal agents and federal robbery charges involving allegations of interfering with interstate commerce.