Member of Fullerton gang living in Oklahoma accused of illegally shipping guns to Orange County

Authorities said Tuesday they arrested and charged a known Fullerton gang member living in Oklahoma on suspicion of shipping firearms to alleged gang members in Orange County.

Manuel “Flacco” Delatorre Jr., 23, was taken into custody and accused of unlawfully transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials said in a news release. The defendant is not a licensed firearms distributor, and allegedly sent at least two guns to Marvin and Michael Vega, two brothers and alleged gang members living in Anaheim, an investigating ATF agent said in an affidavit.

A .38 caliber revolver was recovered from Marvin Vega after Fullerton and Placentia police took him into custody during a probation check in May, court documents show. While he was in jail, he allegedly mentioned a possible dealer named “Flacco,” discussed other firearms transactions, and attempted to coordinate the destruction of evidence with his brother in monitored telephone conversations.

A .22 caliber pistol other was confiscated from the brothers’ home in Anaheim on June 28, and Michael Vega was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy. Investigators also collected additional weapons, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest and other evidence from the residence.

Interviews with the Vega brothers, as well as cell phone and money transfer records, led ATF agents to identify Delatorre as “Flacco,” the affidavit said. The document described him as a member of the Baker Street Gang in Fullerton who relocated to Oklahoma. He had previously been convicted of one felony count possession of a controlled substance, which bars him from legally having a firearm.

Delatorre was arrested at his home in Verden, Okla. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Friday, Aug. 16, at the William J. Holloway Courthouse in Oklahoma City. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison if convicted.