Castro Enterprise indicted in home-invasion robberies in North Texas

Six members of a Texas-based criminal organization were indicted Wednesday on federal charges involving armed robbery crews that carried out home invasions in North Texas and Michigan, targeting Asian and Indian families, the U.S. attorney general’s office reported.

The group, known as the Castro Enterprise, is accused of violent home invasions at seven North Texas residences over three days in December, including in Southlake and Flower Mound.

Indian and Asian households were targeted because of the suspects’ belief that they mistrusted banks and kept large amounts of cash and jewelry at home, according to a federal criminal complaint.

The federal indictment named Chaka LeChar Castro, 40; Juan Olaya, 35; Octavius Scott, 22; Rodney Granger, 19; and Johnisha Williams, 19, all of Houston. It also identified Jakeyra Augustus, 21, of La Marque, near Houston.

Two members were arrested in Carrollton in December when police responded to a home invasion and carjacking. Others were arrested in December, and they remained in custody Thursday.

Castro, Olaya, Scott and Augustus were indicted on charges of engaging in racketeering conspiracy, four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and four counts of use and carrying of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Granger and Williams were charged with engaging in racketeering conspiracy.

“The armed robberies allegedly committed by this organized criminal group were horrific home invasions that spread fear through Asian and Indian communities across multiple states,” Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell said in a news release.

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District in Michigan said the defendants used online research to target their victims, traveled to their homes and carried out the robberies while the victims were home.

“The defendants either broke in or used a female decoy to knock, luring victims to open the door,” McQuade said in a news release. “Once the door was open, the robbers could charge inside with guns and threats of violence, round up all the adults and children into one room, and bind them with duct tape before ransacking the house and stealing valuables.”

Each member of the group had a specific role, authorities say. Castro, the leader, recruited members, researched potential victims and directed robbery crews to specific addresses, according to the indictment. She obtained a subscription to PublicData.com in April 2014, giving her access to addresses.

Olaya led the robbery crews, coordinating the movement of stolen property and laundering the proceeds, and Scott and Granger took part in the robberies, federal agents said. Williams and Augustus are accused of robbing homes and serving as decoys and lookouts.

Federal agents said the Castro Enterprise stole money, jewelry and electronics and sent some of the stolen money to Castro through Western Union or prepaid money cards. The crew sold stolen goods to people and commercial businesses in New York, Texas and other states, according to the indictment.

The group hit four homes during the Thanksgiving holidays in Michigan, two in Ann Arbor and one each in Ypsilanti and Canton, federal agents said.

On Dec. 5, the group is accused in a home invasion in Coppell. Members are suspected of hitting three homes in Allen on Dec. 6 and a residence in Southlake and two in Flower Mound on Dec. 7, according to court documents.

Members are also suspects in similar home invasions in Georgia and New Jersey.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Castro Enterprise indicted in home-invasion robberies in North Texas."