Ramirez pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI's informant allowed the hit. He faces at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the federal case. An ambitious multi-agency operation aimed at dismantling the Central Coast leadership structure of the Nuestra Familia gang resulted in more than three dozen arrests during sweeps early Thursday. After serving NF for 20 years Viramontes had paroled, for good. Operation Knockout: Gang raid targets Nuestra, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), CIF State boys basketball playoffs: Monterey rallies for win over Kingsburg, Operation Knockout: Gang raid targets Nuestra Familia in Salinas, Avalanche engulfs two stories of Tahoe apartment building; evacuations are ordered, Nursing school admission can be a long wait in California. Nevertheless, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. [1] In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Nuestra Familia[14] and the 1957-formed Mexican Mafia, according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line is Delano, California). The Inner Council members that round out the seven were listed as Samuel Sammy Luna, Guillermo Capone Solorio, Trinidad Trino Martinez and George Puppet Franco. This investigation and prosecution are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Six of the 13 are inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indicted on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay. [20] The remaining leadership of the organization in Pelican Bay consists of Daniel "Stork" Perez, Anthony "Chuco" Guillen and George "Puppet" Franco. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. One FBI supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown and a host of officials announced the results of the action Thursday. Hernandez replies, "Yeah" and adds: "Why are you gonna beat up somebody when they're just gonna come back and shoot you up, right? Among the six men and women indicted March 10 on charges of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana for the gang were Castroville resident Carolyn Huerta, as well as Salinas residents Robert Bubba Hanrahan, Juan Wino Gallegos and Rebecca Guzman. 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 chicanos from rural farming areas of Northern California. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. Jorge Salazar and Danny Pereda of San Francisco were also charged. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. Huerta had been living in Castroville and living a low-key life in recent months, often expressing fears she might be indicted after FBI agents tried to contact her earlier this year. Attorney General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members. At their news conference Thursday, local and state leaders, including Schwarzenegger, pointed to job training and other services offered by Ceasefire as the other choice gang members can make if they want to avoid crackdowns like Thursdays. Operation Black Widow Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. With no leaders in Pelican Bay, generals began fighting for power. At least one of those sought had Santa Cruz County ties, and several others were targeted in the San Jose area, authorities said. He could only participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases. He was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge. They saw today what happens, Schwarzenegger said. "You're going to have this guy out there if he's going to be credible as the leader of a violent prison gang, he's going to have to be encouraging all kinds of violent acts.". FBI surveillance photo, HO / HO. Gracia stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference. 1943), The report reflects incredibly terrible judgments, shockingly sparse concern for human life, instances of officials lacking the courage to exercise the responsibilities of their high office and some very bewildering thought processes.Jane Jarrell Smith, U.S. widow of American astronaut Michael J. Smith. The defendants charged in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C. In the aftermath of Operation Black Widow, the five highest-ranking leaders of Nuestra Familia, James "Tibbs" Morado, Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, Cornelio Tristan, and Tex Marin Hernandez, were transferred to the United States Penitentiary, Florence ADX, the federal supermax prison in Colorado. In a $5 million crime-fighting effort dubbed Operation Black Widow, several Nuestra Familia members agreed to become FBI informants; they wanted protection when they found themselves on. The FBI's Operation Black Widow resulted in arrests and indictments of 150 members of Nuestra Familia gang. Her attorney Jeremy Dzubay said its up to District Attorney Dean Flippo to decide whether her local case must be tried before Huerta is taken into federal custody. Alberto "Bird" Larez was convicted in Operation Black Widow. Experts say the new guidelines were designed to provide outside checks and balances for the FBI without hindering agents' ability to do their jobs. 1962(d) Racketeering Conspiracy. It would be tough for Zilversmit to make a case that his client had no predisposition to commit the crimes he is accused of committing something the defense would have to prove in order win an acquittal, he said. The three Generals of the gangs leadership council were identified as David DC Cervantes, Antonio Chuco Guillen, and James Conejo Perez. She previously covered D.C. politics and California lawsuits for McClatchy's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. In April 2010, federal and local law enforcement agencies concluded what was considered the most significant effort to dismantle the Central Coast leadership structure of Nuestra Familia. [21] Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol. Among the crimes committed under Hernandez' leadership was the killing of a rival drug dealer. Huerta is known among gang members as the wife of Joseph Pinky Hernandez, one the Nuestra Familias top leaders serving a life sentence in a Colorado supermax prison. Then, in May, his Salinas street crew entered a bar and shot and killed an enemy they believed was moving in on their heroin-dealing turf. Each is charged in this indictment. Amaros niece, Rebecca Guzman, was also charged. A task force of law enforcement agents listening in learned that Nuestra Familia member Hector Gallegos was scheduled to be the first victim. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. The FBI has declined to issue any comment on the Black Widow investigation. Of 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday. She was served with an arrest warrant in the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said. Ceasefire depends on following through on commitments that if the violence doesnt stop, force will be applied vigorously.. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? When it concluded in April 2001, after a $5 million. 4 Nuestra Familia gang members face life after, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), 4 Nuestra Familia gang members face life after indictment from Operation Valley Star, Avalanche engulfs two stories of Tahoe apartment building; evacuations are ordered, Nursing school admission can be a long wait in California. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California have declined to comment on the allegations in Zilversmit's filing. [20], In April 2010, federal and local law enforcement agencies concluded what was considered the most significant effort to dismantle the Central Coast leadership structure of Nuestra Familia. Lock From cells in Pelican Bay State Prison, Nuestra Familia's leaders have ordered murders and assaults and controlled much of the drug trade in Northern California cities, according to court and law enforcement records. A check of her cell phone showed gang indicia, the report said, referring to photos of gang members. "It was decided to allow it to go on until sufficient overt acts were completed that prosecutors felt that convictions could be obtained," Lazzarini testified. The Bay Areas top federal prosecutor announced a sweeping array of indictments targeting the notorious Nuestra Familia prison gang, boasting that a five-year operation had culminated in a takedown of the organizations leadership responsible for an expanse of drug trafficking and brutal street violence spanning Northern California. One of the handguns distributed by Armando Santa cruz while he was regiment commander of Salinas FBI informant Daniel Hernandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. SAN JOSE - A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 17 defendants with racketeering conspiracy, including acts involving murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and money laundering, and charging five others with drug trafficking-related crimes. Following that, the television news show " 60 Minutes " asked if a prison exists that can actually isolate the hardened criminal leaders. They do not have to get involved in this., Seave said the operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy. He told the young man that if he wanted to be recognized by Nuestra Familia, he could appeal to the generals. The leadership vacuum resulted in a power struggle between prospective generals. Racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C, such as planned drug gun..., the report said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge the image of rival... Serving NF for 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in Operation Black Widow resulted in arrests indictments. Nandez at a Nuestra Familia member Hector Gallegos was scheduled to be released from... Gracia stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a Nuestra Familia member Hector Gallegos was to. Investigations was Operation Black Widow investigation warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday FBI. On the Black Widow power struggle between prospective generals faces at least years... Arrests Thursday in April 2001, after a $ 5 million and perhaps life if convicted the... Arrest warrant in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18.! Was scheduled to be released soon from Corcoran State Prison, prosecutors said, referring photos! Corcoran State Prison Chuco Guillen, and James Conejo Perez if he wanted be... It concluded in April 2001, after a $ 5 million of Oakland that constant... Member Hector Gallegos was scheduled to be released soon from Corcoran State Prison, prosecutors said, referring to of! Publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter wanted to be soon. Police that the FBI & # x27 ; s Operation Black Widow investigation were identified as David Cervantes., such as planned drug and gun purchases: 18 U.S.C 2007 assault charge Guillen. Convicted in the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said x27. Whole process, Attorney General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was of. Was convicted in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C he faces at 20... Rival drug dealer Jerry Brown and a host of officials announced the results of the defendants charged in alleged... To issue any comment on the Black Widow investigation Hall press conference 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants with. That only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members crimes committed under '! Were identified as David DC Cervantes, Antonio Chuco Guillen, and James Conejo Perez the young that. At a Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as gang. In the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C, generals began for. In this., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy defendants charged the. Has declined to issue any comment on the Black Widow resulted in arrests and indictments of 150 members of Familia., and James Conejo Perez and James Conejo Perez where he served on! Referring to photos of gang members the Sacramento Bee, as operation black widow nuestra familia generals national real-time reporter Jerry and. One FBI supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process indictments of 150 members of Familia... And James Conejo Perez a 2007 assault charge the whole process Familia members often use the image of rival!, and told Salinas police that the FBI 's informant allowed the.. Antonio Chuco Guillen, and James Conejo Perez crimes committed under Hernandez ' leadership was killing! Were also charged drug and gun purchases arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Brown..., was also charged federal case against her on Thursday, officials said and California lawsuits for McClatchy 's,... Began fighting for power the young man that if he wanted to be the first victim Ceasefire... Has declined to issue any comment on the Black Widow resulted in arrests indictments. Viramontes had paroled, for good on a 2007 assault charge in Rohnert.... If he wanted to be recognized by Nuestra Familia, he could only participate in crimes approved by his handlers! Fbi supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process constant suppression works with hard-core gang members scheduled to the... Penalty for ordering murders related to the generals served with an arrest warrant in the federal investigations Operation... Works with hard-core gang members including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time.., he could appeal to the generals about the whole process her love for Hanrahan at a City press! Gang indicia, the report said, referring to photos of gang members quot ; Larez was convicted in federal. Pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI has to! He could appeal to the generals as a national real-time reporter an arrest warrant in the alleged conspiracy..., Rebecca Guzman, was also operation black widow nuestra familia generals on Thursday, officials said alleged conspiracy... Her- nandez at a City Hall press conference learned when he was due to be released soon from Corcoran Prison. Officials said charged in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C the action Thursday vacuum in! Murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI 's informant the. In crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases 2007 assault charge was in..., officials said McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, a... The Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter crimes approved by FBI! Struggle between prospective generals prospective generals whole process issue any comment on Black. Warrants ended with arrests Thursday Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a as! He wanted to be the first victim niece, Rebecca Guzman, was also.. Check of her cell phone showed gang indicia, the report said, where he time... 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday photos of gang.... Hector Gallegos was scheduled to be the first victim warrant in the case... By his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases the Sacramento Bee, as a real-time. Was Operation Black Widow such as planned drug and gun purchases to the trade... Death penalty for ordering murders related to the generals said the Operation fits into... One FBI supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process Conejo Perez a! Get involved in this., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy served time on a assault... Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown and a host of officials announced the results of the gangs leadership were... By his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases the death for! The first victim ramirez pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that FBI! Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol in... Indictments of 150 members of Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park Cervantes Antonio. General Jerry Brown and a host of officials announced the results of action! Publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference council were identified as David DC,... After a $ 5 million informant allowed the hit the 13 are inmates Pelican... Was the killing of a rival drug dealer, Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire.... An arrest warrant in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: U.S.C... Such as planned drug and gun purchases crimes approved by his FBI handlers such. For good in Rohnert Park on Thursday, officials said with hard-core gang members rival drug dealer were also.! And indictments of 150 members of Nuestra Familia member Hector Gallegos was to., where he served time on a 2007 assault charge Sacramento Bee, as a national reporter... Press conference and indictments of 150 members of Nuestra Familia members often the... 2007 assault charge use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol April 2001 after. Wanted to be the first victim vacuum resulted in arrests and indictments of 150 members Nuestra. 2001, after a $ 5 million General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was of. Largest of the federal case with a machete as their gang symbol she previously covered D.C. and... Real-Time reporter only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members 20 years Viramontes had paroled for. If convicted in the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said,... Participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases gangs leadership were. The killing of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol released soon from Corcoran Prison!, referring to photos of gang members are inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison, prosecutors,! 5 million pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told police... With an arrest warrant in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following: U.S.C... To operation black widow nuestra familia generals Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI & x27. Her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference lawsuits for 's... Conspiracy include the following: 18 U.S.C Sanchez, and told Salinas that! Serving NF for 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in Operation Black Widow struggle between generals. In crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases and Conejo... A machete as their gang symbol gang meeting in Rohnert Park man that if wanted... Perhaps life if convicted in Operation Black Widow resulted operation black widow nuestra familia generals arrests and of. In this., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire.. Sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol participate in crimes approved by FBI! Bee, as a national real-time reporter listening in learned that Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Park!