Torrance Man Faces Federal Charges in School Drug Ring

A 19-year-old Torrance man accused of using high school and junior high school students to sell “crack,” or rock cocaine, to other juveniles was indicted Thursday by a Los Angeles federal grand jury under a new federal law carrying harsher penalties.

Jose Delamora was accused of using juveniles to sell the highly addictive drug to an undercover police officer who was posing as a student at Narbonne High School in Harbor City, according to U.S. Atty. Robert C. Bonner and Los Angeles police narcotics officers.

One of the alleged deals with the officer, Bonner said, involved 10 grams of rock cocaine, thus qualifying Delamora--if convicted--for a possible 40 years in prison under the federal Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which makes five of those years mandatory for any sale of five grams or more.

Selling even a smaller amount of crack to a minor or using a minor to help distribute it can bring a mandatory one year in prison with a possible maximum of 40 years, Bonner said.

Noting that this is the first case in which Los Angeles police have sought federal rather than state prosecution because of the new law’s enhanced penalties, Bonner observed that the measure “has enormous potential” for deterring adult dealers using minors to peddle crack.

“I would say,” Bonner added, “that anyone who’s dealing in crack cocaine ought to learn very, very quickly what’s in store for him.”

Deputy LAPD Chief James Hardin, appearing with Bonner at a Federal Courthouse news conference, said: “What attracts us to the federal prosecution is the harsher penalties. When we have appropriate cases, we will be over here.”

Delamora, according to LAPD Detective Alex Rosales, was caught in last semester’s undercover operation at Narbonne, when more than two dozen students were arrested for alleged drug sales to youthful-looking undercover officers.

Known as “Casper,” Delamora allegedly operated out of a house in the 1500 block of West 227th Street, using at least seven young students, including two from Stephen White Junior High School.

He was charged in the indictment with conspiracy to possess cocaine, with distribution and with use of juveniles to distribute. Assistant U.S. Atty. Thomas Buck said Delamora turned himself in two weeks ago after a complaint was issued. He was being held without bail.