Before Christmas, he contacted authorities and decided to work with them against Rubelcaba. Removals are approved in advance by the gang leader in charge of the facility. Familia attempt to convert guards into "mules," who may Chicano Cadena is stabbed 70 times before his body was hurled from the third tier to the main floor of the maximum security unit. / CBS/Bay City News Service. Monterey Herald. By contrast, Maldonado was serving a life sentence for a 2008 conviction of dissuading a witness from testifying against another gang member. Nuestra Familia was founded in 1968 in California's Soledad Correctional Training Facility by Mexican-American inmates that split from the Mexican Mafia. PIX Now -- Wednesday morning headlines from the KPIX newsroom. The receivers of Vincent Gerald Garcia, 55, of Salinas, is the 14th defendant charged and convicted in the case, which involves racketeering, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in the aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in the aid of racketeering. Jury finds Bay Area man guilty of annoying or molesting a child For language and communication, the Familia uses legal mail and The main targets of the investigation including alleged members of the Nuestra Familia's leadership counsel are still in federal detention awaiting a . The defendants are scheduled to make initial federal court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Nathanael Cousins and U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Sallie Kim today. segregation. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. "The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familia's ruling body: the General Council," said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. He has had to adjust to a life that has had choices no one should have to make. nuestra familia, equipo de trabajo, clientes y entorno. outside of prison, and those family members then verify reception Please enter valid email address to continue. He then ordered two of his underlings to destroy the crime scene by pouring gasoline over the bodies and lighting them on fire. Huerta provided a vital communications link to incarcerated NF generals. convicts. of the Familia is an impossibility, with the gang's tentacles spanning East Bay rapper Bla$ta was playing his own music as he allegedly escaped police in 120 mph chase, authorities say "The arrests made (Wednesday), most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in. Northern California, or Norte, is the original homeland of the Familianos. group, and judging by their self-assuredness, ideological adherence, . Nuestra Familia is a prison gang that originally formed in the California state prison system in the 1960s. prison population grew in the 1970s and 1980s, so too did the Familianos, In March 2013, the inmate whom Andrew Cervantes believed had violated gang rules was assaulted and stabbed by two Nuestra Familia inmates in the prison dining facility and survived. By disrupting gang leadership, we reduce violence on our streets. Brandon Gillespie said during a press conference on Friday. Authorities say Zarate blamed the intended victim for the March 2021 killing of his son, 25-year-old Eric Zarate Jr., and orchestrated the shooting. They face competition from the Mexican Mafia, the predominant Hispanic gang in southern California (known to NF as "sewer rats" or "scraps"). Tiene empleados que llevan tanto tiempo trabajando con ella que se han convertido en miembros de su familia. hundreds of names and identifying characteristics of gang members San Jose: (408) 535-5061. Gratton later began working for police as part of a massive prosecution of Nuestra Familia leaders, known as Black Widow.. 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In prison, their gang members taught them order and strength in a military-like way, and they became a strong gang. Lock Frias did not get the orders to not kill him, and a hidden security camera showed Frias shooting Sanchez in the back of the neck - Sanchez was killed, and he fell into the alley. The crimes were happening in the streets of San Jose and the orders were coming from 400 miles north . is based on a model of capitalist enterprise, and relies on regular Several defendants have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, including for other alleged murder conspiracies. operations, delegates authority, and represents the interests of Nuestra Familia (NF, Spanish for Our Family) was created in the late 1960's at the Soledad Correction Training Facility in California. Since then the Familia has moved eastward across the Word of the sweeping law enforcement action was made at a Thursday morning press conference at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco. Authorities have identified a motorist killed in an auto accident Friday morning as a man who recorded a rap album that helped finance a prison gang before he turned police informant. 3553. a "capitol," or "power base," in the Limon Correctional Both men had support letters from their mothers. Informants helped the task force penetrate the upper echelons of the Nuestra Familia leadership . His second-in-command Joseph "Death Row Joe" Gonzalez spent years on death row before he was commuted to a life sentence, and he had no patience for fools. Bay State Prison, they controlled the intra-prison drug and MONTEREY (CBS SF/BCN) A judge sentenced a high-up leader of the prison gang Nuestra Familia to over 25 years in federal prison Tuesday after being convicted of multiple gang violence conspiracies he perpetuated while in Monterey County Jail, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Evidence presented at trial established that from approximately fall 2010 through March 2013, under the supervision of Henry Cervantes and Larez, members and associates of Nuestra Familia engaged in the trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin and committed robberies to raise money for themselves and the gang. Its leaders control and direct the group's criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. The law enforcement action dubbed "Operation Quiet Storm" is one of the largest FBI gangs busts in history, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds. While on parole, Gratton gained notoriety by producing a rap album known as G.U.N. Additional assistance was provided by the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office; the Oakland Police Department; the San Jose Police Department; the Red Bluff Police Department; the Livermore Police Department; the Alameda County Sheriffs Office; the Campbell Police Department; the Tehama County District Attorneys Office; and the Tehama County Sheriffs Office. 2 years to demonstrate one's character, potential, and righteousness. It is clear they have hard and fast rules, and those who run afoul are met with intimidation and violence that spills into our communities, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon. "While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. bonds that members swear to upon initiation. Under George Collord, the police gathered informants in prison, including "Red Raider", who revealed the leadership structure of the gang. In this case, one or more "hitters" stabbed the victim, followed by "bombers" who viciously beat the man without weapons. Nuestra Familia is a Mexican - American prison gang that was founded in Soledad prison, California in 1968. Todays sentences have a special significance in light of the courts findings that three of the defendants were among the highest ranked members of the organization internationally. Facility, whose purpose was to house the more dangerous and violent The arrests made yesterday, most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in communities throughout the state and help break a decades-old cycle of violence, said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Fair. They talked about how the victim had committed an assault to get back into good standing with the gang, but had resorted to his old ways, which was the final straw, prosecutors said. Nuestra Familia members Santos and Gilbert Arenda are stabbed by Eme members. Answers & Questions about gangs, organized crime, graffiti & gang activity around the World, Unread post in his head. The U.S. Department of Justice said that Nuestra Familia (NF) and the Norteno gang are associated with each other, in that the Nortenos pledge loyalty to the NF. drug operations. While the Mexican Mafia had initially been created to protect Mexicans in prison, there was a perceived level of abuse by members of La Eme towards the imprisoned Latinos from rural farming areas of Northern California. Henry Cervantes, 52, aka Happy, of Lodi, Calif., was sentenced to 75 years in prison. Bay City News Service contributed to this report. "The arrests made yesterday, most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in communities throughout the state and help break a decades-old cycle of violence," said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Fair. Nuestra Familia's new leadership General: David "DC" Cervantes Top Commanders: Daniel "Stork" Perez, of Salinas; Anthony "Chuco" Guillen, of San Jose; George "Puppet" Franco, of San Jose Demoted: Jose "Huerito" Gonzalez; James "Conejo" Perez Copyright 2008 Monterey County Herald Copyright 2013 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. In the case of a member of the Familia defecting to Fair said the Nuestra Familia prison gang worked with other gangs such as Norteos, El Hoyo Grande, and San Jose Palmas with the effects felt across communities in the Bay Area and California. Somos . to the rules, and decides on important issues concerning the welfare Gonzalez wrote the constitution for the NF, and he also established Article 2, Section 5, which said that it was an automatic death sentence for desertion (if an NF member wanted out of the gang). Zarate and Maldonado admitted to two murder conspiracies in 2018 and 2019. The Nuestra Familia gang's motto is "blood in, blood out", meaning that they get in the gang by shedding blood, and they get out by death. Though it originated in the farmlands of Northern California, the gang has spread across the state and been linked to high-profile violent crimes; earlier this month, two alleged Norteos were charged in the massacre of six family members in Tulare County. Captain Henry "Happy" Cervantes was heard discussing a plan to kill two San Jose district attorneys, but Casper refused to allow the order. By removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make our neighborhoods safer." According to the documents unsealed today, La Nuestra Familia - Spanish for "Our Family"- was a prison gang operating in the California state prison system. Colorado prisons and the American criminal justice system. On 21 May 2001, heroin dealer Raymond Sanchez crossed into the Chinatown district of Salinas, although he had been warned to stay out of Chinatown. In 1972, Mexican Mafia leader Rodolfo Cadena called for a peace summit in prison in hopes of ending the war, but he was stabbed repeatedly by NF members, thrown off a tier, and stabbed to death on the cement below. According to the evidence presented at trial, from December 2012 through April 2014 Garcia and Jasso were active members of the Nuestra Familia prison gang and its affiliated Norteo street gang. However, despite law enforcement's efforts, there were still tens of thousands of NF members, and the new generation was influenced to join the NF through promises of girls, cars, dope, alcohol, good times, parties, staying out late, and other vices. Thus, generally, Familiano leaders Prosecutors said the group used a "paramilitary structure" to control thousands of other gang members throughout 28 California counties. "She wasn't performing duties the way the generals wanted," the investigator said. From their thrones in California's Pelican However, in August 1998 a gang war broke out in Salinas when Captain Michael Castillo was marked for murder after being caught in the middle of a power struggle between two Nuestro Generals. Among these 5 council members there After he turned, he started giving up all the information he had, Lewis said. Surenos, which operate out of Southern California. These regiments primarily guaranteed the NFs vast influence and control over its own and its street gang members, ensured avenues to direct violence and other illicit activity, and secured means for the NF to make money through the commission of criminal activity. Hinds was joined by FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair, DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade Shannon, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Safety Chief Derrick Marion, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith and San Jose Police Deputy Chief Elle Washburn. AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FUTURE Silvia Garca Vega ORCID: 0000-0002-0302-7802 Profesora de Comunicacin para el Cambio The workouts were intense, and they also had to read history books, law books, and philosophy books. His job was to make sure that San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose all had a regiment in place, and made sure that the regiments were going by the gang's rules. Todays operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. Guards become "Mules" when they assist the Familia carry homeland of the Familianos. who once paroled, carry out the commands from their imprisoned Familia The Nuestra Family's colour is red, in contrast to the colour of Garcia was "regiment commander" for the gang in charge of all Monterey County and he controlled the criminal activities of gang members in the jail. threats against correctional staff to maintain authority. The indictment handed down on August 25, 2021, and unsealed Thursday, September 16, 2021 catalogues a litany of crimes allegedly directed by the Nuestra Familias command structure incarcerated in California prisons. "The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familia's ruling body: the General Council," said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. According to the NF Constitution, the Street Regiment General oversees the NFs overall street operations. The General of the Prisons is responsible for the NFs overall pinta [prison] functions, and the General Advocates Office is the NFs justice department. Tiered just below these three NF Generals was the Inner Council, which consisted of four senior NF members who served as advisors to the Generals and provided a system of checks and balances. dress, as well as how to rob banks, armored cars, and private homes Stretch. As outlined in the indictment, membership in the NF involved a process of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? the neighborhood. The beating by the bombers inflicted further injury to the stabbed target and continued the attack's "chaotic distraction" at the jail, which allowed time for the hitters to hide their weapons and wash off, prosecutors said. Robert Lee Gratton, 44, of Palmdale -- who authorities suspect was driving while intoxicated -- was backing his Chevrolet Cavalier down Highway 14 north of Agua Dulce Road about 1:15 a.m. Friday, when it was struck by another vehicle, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. Lewis also published a book about Gratton and the Nuestra Familia. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. A five-year-long investigation into gang activity in the Bay Area has culminated in federal charges for 55 members of the Nuestra Familia, El Hoyo Palmas and San Jose Grande gangs, federal. READ MORE: Feds: 'Head of the Snake' Taken Down In Nuestra Familia Prison Gang Bust. employ scanner radios to monitor police transmissions. The NF imposed "gang taxes" on drug dealers and prostitutes to help them gain a flow of income, and in the 1990s, their ranks swelled to more than 1,000 gang members. Their violence was turned against those from Southern California living in the north, Lewis said. Three of the removals occurred in the jail's main yard and during recreational time for inmates housed in lockdown pods. Gang Questions, Info & News - West Coast - U.S.A. Gang Questions, Info & News - East Coast - U.S.A. Gang Questions, Info & News - Mid West - U.S.A. Gang Questions, Info & News - South - U.S.A. Gang Questions, Info & News - General - U.S.A. International Street Gangs & Organized Crime, Middle East / South East / Far East - Asia, Mexico, Central America, South America & the Caribbean, Canada street gangs & US Organized Crime, Past Figures, The Infamous & Legends of the Game, Prevention, Intervention, Education and Awareness, Open Section for Other Random Topics & Controverisal issues, http://www.geocities.com/jiggy2000_us/f eline.html. Today, four additional members of the Nuestra Familia gang were sentenced for the heinous crimes they perpetrated upon our community, bringing to 12 the number of defendants sentenced as a result of this investigation, said U.S. Attorney Brian J. repaid by Familianos' family members outside of prison, who send They bring in millions of dollars through the drug trade, but prostitution, extortion, and identity theft are also major rings. Zarates mom described him as a devoted son, father, grandfather, brother, and more who has learned from his mistakes. Records of profit from the As the Chicano investigation into prison gang activities in California's history. The Nuestra Familia have a strong base in Northern California, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Santa Rosa, Windsor, and San Jose. Marshal Service, with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office, and the San Jose Police Department, and with support from the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, Antioch Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Kings County Sheriffs Office, Monterey County Sheriffs Office, Mountain View Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Menlo Park Police Department, Santa Clara County Parole Department, Santa Clara County Probation Department, Santa Clara Police Department, Santa Cruz County District Attorneys Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office, Modesto Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department, and Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. Nuestra Familia leaders control and direct the gangs criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. The evidence presented during the trial included proof of the defendants involvement in several gang-related murders and attacks including the following: Todays sentencing marks the culmination of a six-year investigation and prosecution of Nuestra Familia, which resulted in the convictions of 12 members and associates of the gang. Updated on: November 2, 2022 / 9:34 AM Crime and Public Safety | SACRAMENTO, CACarolyn Huerta, 37, of Castroville, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Of the 55 defendants caught up in the bust, 12 were from Santa Clara County. designed to convey a specific message: an eagle painted black means The . She faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. Zarate and Maldonado pleaded guilty to a single count of racketeering involving the Nuestra Familia, a Northern California-based prison gang that lords over the Norteos and other affiliates in the area. Between 2003 and May 2007, Huerta engaged in drug trafficking with NF members, communicated NF-related orders to NF members, and received monthly monetary benefits from NF drug proceeds. other gangs. Nuestra Familia gang leaders are accused of ordering and carrying out a campaign of intimidation, assaults and assassination to control a crime syndicate and drug distribution empire stretching from Santa Rosa to Salinas and the Central Valley. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. (which are rare) to those who respond to no other solution. Five days after Castillo was released from a short, Familianos are privileged in that they are only required to pay It is . One of these was Padilla, Nuestra Familia launches a reprisal attack on the Mexican Mafia at 2:30 pm. While the NF was composed of a relative few, it exercised control and wielded influence over thousands of subordinate gang members in counties and prisons throughout Northern California using such regiments. Nuestro General Gerald "Cuete" Rubelcaba ordered the assassination of former NF member Robert "Brown Bob" Viramontes in early 1998, a member of the leading council for the NF and a 20-year veteran who had covered up his NF tattoo on his back and also educated young kids about the dangers of gang life.

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