2 Bloomington men arrested for operating a "Chop Shop," drug house and illegal gambling operation

on December 12, 2025

Bloomington, Calif., December 9, 2025 -- Investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department conducted a search warrant at Reds Shop in reference to illegal activity. The search warrant led to the discovery of multiple illegal gambling machines, a large amount of narcotics, a firearm, a scale, and U.S. currency in different denominations.

The San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force assisted with the search warrant and located multiple stolen vehicles at the business. Gustavo Escobar, who oversees the business, was arrested for operating a drug house, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and possession of stolen vehicles. He was booked into San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center.

A search warrant was also conducted at Carlos Gonsalez Ledesma's residence. Investigators seized a large amount of U.S. currency which totaled about $29,000.00 at the residence. The money is believed to be proceeds from the illegal activity conducted at Reds Shop.

At about 12:00 p.m., the owner of Reds Shop, Ledesma, was arrested and booked for operating a "chop shop", maintain/operate a drug house, and illegal gambling operation. He was booked into San Bernardino County Central Detention Center.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Fontana Station at 909-356-6767. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

Charges

Carlos Gonsalez Ledesma

11366.5(A) - Allowing Place To Prepare/Store Controlled Substance

Gustavo Escobar

11366.5(A) - Allowing Place To Prepare/Store Controlled Substance

Penalties vary depending on the charge: a misdemeanor, or section A, can result in up to a year in county jail. While a felony under subdivision (b) can result in two, three, or four years imprisonment.

The Law

California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 11366.5

Current as of January 01, 2023

(a) Any person who has under his or her management or control any building, room, space, or enclosure, either as an owner, lessee, agent, employee, or mortgagee, who knowingly rents, leases, or makes available for use, with or without compensation, the building, room, space, or enclosure for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing, or distributing any controlled substance for sale or distribution shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code.

(b) Any person who has under his or her management or control any building, room, space, or enclosure, either as an owner, lessee, agent, employee, or mortgagee, who knowingly allows the building, room, space, or enclosure to be fortified to suppress law enforcement entry in order to further the sale of any amount of cocaine base as specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11054, cocaine as specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 11055, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, or lysergic acid diethylamide and who obtains excessive profits from the use of the building, room, space, or enclosure shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for two, three, or four years.

(c) Any person who violates subdivision (a) after previously being convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for two, three, or four years.

(d) For the purposes of this section, “excessive profits” means the receipt of consideration of a value substantially higher than fair market value.

Key Aspects of PC 1170(h)

County Jail Placement: Felons eligible under this section serve their time in county jail, not state prison (CDCR).

Split Sentence (Mandatory Supervision): Courts often impose a hybrid sentence, where part is served in jail, and the remainder is suspended and served under mandatory supervision in the community, with conditions.

Eligibility: Applies to felonies not classified as serious or violent, excluding those requiring sex offender registration or gang enhancements.

Eligible Crimes: Includes offenses like grand theft, embezzlement, some drug crimes, vandalism, and DUI with injury, among others.

Purpose: To provide alternatives to traditional state prison, focusing on rehabilitation and successful reentry, with judges considering community programs, victim restitution, and public safety.