operation black widow nuestra familia generalsoperation black widow nuestra familia generals

[21] Renewed organization The operation was conducted with the help of a highly connected inside source -- Daniel Hernandez, the street general who had confirmed that the green light . Norteo gang members, who police say number about 6,000 in Monterey County, act as street-level soldiers for prison-based Nuestra Familia, which operates as the parent company of the Norteos. 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. Further, the indictment describes the appointment by these leaders of NF members to positions of power over hierarchical and paramilitary structures called regiments, imposed on its gang members operating on the streets in California. Hernandez cut a plea deal. Sosa was impeached and Nuestra Familia's structure altered to im- pede future misconduct. . The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familias ruling body: the General Council, said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. The federal faction didnt approve of the treaty but the state side entered into it anyways, prompting a deep-seated conflict that continues to play out. but they reasoned it was the only way they could build a far-reaching racketeering case that might break up the gang once and for all. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. For links to documents cited in this story, go to the Center for Investigative Reporting website. He could only participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases. [20] The remaining leadership of the organization in Pelican Bay consists of Daniel "Stork" Perez, Anthony "Chuco" Guillen and George "Puppet" Franco. 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 prisonin Colorado. Over the past decade there have been several high-profile cases in which law enforcement involvement with informants has resulted in legal problems, including the prosecution of El Rukn gang members in Chicago. Operation Black Widow Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. That forces police to turn to informants, who by their very nature are untrustworthy. At one point in the transcript, Ramirez and Hernandez are talking about whether to beat up or kill the intended victim, and Ramirez remarks: "Might as well kill the mother -- if it's for a third strike." A high-ranking Nuestra Familia gang leader from Salinas was arrested this week in an FBI takedown of one of the gang's largest street regiments, . Operation Black Widow, where murders, assaults and drug trafficking were committed under the watch of two informants working for the government, fuels the debate. She was served with an arrest warrant in the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said. Katz said that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that such an argument could hypothetically be used to overturn a conviction, but it has yet to rule in favor of any defendant making that kind of case. Informant Daniel Hernandez, a former Nuestra Familia leader, is expected to be a star witness in the federal trial under way in San Francisco. He was convicted of racketeering charges in the Bay Area FBI case called Operation Black Widow. Gallegos, 35, a onetime associate in Hanrahans Salinas gang crew, is charged with conspiracy like the others, and he also faces additional federal counts of using a telephone to further the conspiracy. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has not followed: What should you do? Experts say the new guidelines were designed to provide outside checks and balances for the FBI without hindering agents' ability to do their jobs. 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. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. The gangsters saw the vehicle as they approached and, according to the informant, postponed the attack. Dzubay said that although resisting arrest is usually a misdemeanor, authorities elevated it to a felony because an enhancement charge alleged she committed her crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.. 450 Golden Gate Avenue One "test" a prospective member must pass to join Nuestra Familia is to have committed at least one murder for "the cause," according to a gang investigator with the state Corrections Department as well as Al Valdez, an investigator with the Orange County district attorney's office and a gang consultant with the state attorney general's office. Slew of child sexual abuse lawsuits could bankrupt the Diocese of Sacramento, bishop says, ID released of Santa Cruz man killed in Bonny Doon solo crash, Capitola officials share wharf rebuild plans, Weekend solo crash claims life in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz County supervisors reject Andy Schiffrin Planning Commission nomination, Driver suffers major injuries in Scotts Valley highway crash, Newsom rescinds Californias COVID-19 state of emergency, marking an end to the pandemic era, Former Santa Cruz man victim of fatal Kansas shooting, Cabrillo College appoints Martha Victoria Vega to Area 5 trustee seat, Going with flow: How the Santa Cruz water treatment plant took on Januarys storms. Here's the update on the Nuestra Familia-Now some of you might say that this org is not worth worrying about-it's the connections on the outside that are effecting business in the Santa Rosa area. Hernandez replies, "Yeah" and adds: "Why are you gonna beat up somebody when they're just gonna come back and shoot you up, right? It gives me hope that we can address something as complex as gang violence, he said. "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. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. When agents learn a violent crime is being plotted, should they step in to prevent it and risk botching their undercover probe? Local authorities hope the arrests will cripple the gangs grip on younger gang members in the area and make existing gang-violence intervention efforts, such as Ceasefire, more effective. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? In early 2008, Hanrahan figured into local headlines when his girlfriend Sara Gracia was named to a Salinas police advisory commission, causing an uproar within the Police Department and with the public. Last fall, when Russoniello came to a Salinas gang summit for law enforcement, at least some of the time was spent on the early planning of Operation Knockout. You cant win this fight.. Hitt said agents tried to serve Guzman an arrest warrant in Salinas on Thursday but were unable to find her. A high-ranking Nuestra Familia gang leader from Salinas was arrested this week in an FBI takedown of one of the gang's largest street regiments, federal officials said. Ceasefire depends on following through on commitments that if the violence doesnt stop, force will be applied vigorously.. For more than 10 years, one of California's most brutal criminal organizations has been operating from behind the walls of the state's highest- security prison. "You can't be with him 24 hours a day. Of 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday. Before Ybarra and other gang members arrived at Gallegos' apartment, police parked a patrol unit near the building, according to police and FBI documents. . Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. This event put into motion the longest-running gang war in the state of California. Soon after, prison investigators confiscated a letter from her to an inmate, saying she and Hanrahan planned to marry in June 2008. Both investigations were led by the FBI and crippled the gangs operations after the arrests of dozens of Nuestra Familia members and associates from Monterey County. "It doesn't matter what he says. On June 18, 2001, Hernandez told his handlers that a subordinate was distributing more than a dozen guns to young gang members in town, according to FBI reports. Alberto Larez, 45, known in Salinas as "Bird," was taken into custody Thursday morning at his residence in . He has to in order to maintain credibility.". All seven members of the NFs General Council led the NF organization while incarcerated in the California prison system. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indictment|indicted on RICO (law)|racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay . The gangsters stopped in front of an apartment building, and Nuestra Familia member Paul Salcido and an associate got out of the car and ducked into an alley. If he is going to betray one group the gang what's going to stop him from betraying the second the government?". 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. The indictment outlines each position according to the NF Constitution. Thirteen of the defendants plead guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. Everyone in the Salinas Nuestra Familia crew was arrested in the murder, except Hernandez, who continued to inform on the gang. The attack occurred in October 1998, after a gangster was shot and wounded as part of a Nuestra Familia internal power struggle in Salinas. 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. Known as one of the most powerful prison gangs in California, Nuestra Familia has been plagued by infighting in recent years, starting in the early 2000s when a number of high-ranking members were prosecuted federally after a similar complex probe dubbed Operation Black Widow. She focused special attention to the seven members of what she described as the Nuestra Familia General Council, which she said ran a massive network across 28 California counties spanning Humboldt to Kern, with major activity centers in San Jose, Salinas and the Central Valley. [21], Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Prison gang case puts role of FBI informants under scrutiny / Investigation results in 13 guilty pleas; 9 more defendants face trial next year, for fbi-hernandez; FBI Informant Daniel Hernandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. Official websites use .gov We're going to take care of it. 3553. [20] Operation Knockout Very seldom a white face will have a black mind.Nikki Giovanni (b. "Brown Bob," had spent most of his life inside California's state prisons, rising to become one of the highest ranking members of Nuestra Familia, the notoriously vicious Northern California Latino prison gang. Members of the organization are considered to have taken a "blood oath" to join the gang, and are considered lifelong participants. The operation began in 1997 under the leadership of the FBI and involved nearly 30 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the state Department of Corrections; five district attorneys' offices and police departments of San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Salinas, San Jose, Visalia, Modesto, Tracy, Stockton and Watsonville, among others. Like Hanrahan, she was often named in witness testimony in the ongoing Valley Star trials in Sacramento federal court. In legal motions filed over the past four weeks, defense attorneys for 15 alleged members of the Nuestra Familia the prison gang that governs the Northern California-based Norteo and. FBI transcripts and court testimony revealed at least five revenge murders were discussed during several taped meetings. "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.". ". Others arrested include Castroville residents Dakota Vernon Casperson and Sheena Nicole Casperson. To join Nuestra Familia ("Our Family") and rise in its ranks takes years of studying the gang's written constitution, training, and committing violent crimes inside and outside of prison. TTY: (415) 436-7221, Oakland: (510) 637-3680 By late June 2001, according to FBI records, information from other informants showed that Hernandez had lied to his FBI handlers on other matters. All were indicted for racketeering charges. The problem is that to break gangs and organized crime, inside information is needed, but such groups and especially street gangs are extremely difficult for undercover police to infiltrate. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Unbeknownst to him, he'd been snared in the web of Operation Black Widow, a three-year FBI sting operation that led to federal racketeering and murder indictments against 21 gang members. Really? The FBI said gang commanders sent orders from six prisons in the state: Pelican Bay State Prison, High Desert State Prison, California State Prison-Sacramento, California State Prison-Solano, Pleasant Valley State Prison and Salinas Valley State Prison. Despite being locked down 23 hours a day in the prison's Security Housing Unit, gang leaders have used elaborate communication systems to send out orders, including writing coded messages disguised as love letters, using urine as invisible ink and sending letters marked "legal mail" to a nonexistent law firm in San Francisco, FBI records show. In a letter to the court, Frias said that a fellow gang member "pushed the matter (with Hernandez) and finally got the 'green light' for the murder .. . They do not have to get involved in this., Seave said the operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy. Hernandez, who grew up in Pittsburg in Contra Costa County, has a long and violent criminal history, committing armed assaults, admitting conspiring to murder a former gang member in San Jose in 1999 and to talking with fellow gang members about killing two Santa Clara County prosecutors. Chief Assistant District Attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias Three Strikes law. When confronted about unauthorized trips, Hernandez said he slipped away without permission to play golf in Stockton. [21] Nuestra Familia's written constitution allegedly states that no member should prioritize women, money or drugs over their membership in the gang. The NF is alleged in the indictment to be a criminal enterprise that was created to organize, protect, discipline, profit from, and maintain the allegiance of gang members on the streets of and within custodial facilities in California. But by April 2001, government agents began to lose control of their prized informant. It's all false.". Some law enforcement agents speculate that the Nuestra Familia gang, which operates in and out of prisons, influences much of the criminal activity of thousands of Norteo gang members in California. Deputy Chief Kelly McMillin said more of Ceasefires signature call-in meetings will be held in coming weeks in an effort to keep potential spikes in violence at bay. 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. But, according to current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult. The NF has a formal written constitution and a membership of approximately 250, with an additional 1,000 associates. State gang experts credit the Nuestra Familia with about 1,000 killings since it began in the late 1960s, with Norteo gang members claiming hundreds more lives. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 (June 30, 1986). Credit: Janjaap Dekker FBI informant Daniel Hernandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. He told the young man that if he wanted to be recognized by Nuestra Familia, he could appeal to the generals. Such would prove the case with Hernandez, who was paid $52,200 over seven months. These seven individuals for years led a violent and lucrative criminal organization from their prison cells. Attorney General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members. And the right choice is looking away.". Lock 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. A preliminary examination in that case is scheduled for April 1. 13 Nuestra Familia gang leaders names. 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 Sheriff's 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 Attorney's Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, Modesto Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, and Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. [14] At the time of Operation Black Widow, law enforcement officials had estimated that Nuestra Familia was responsible for at least 600 murders in the previous 30 years. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? The operation, which will continue to play out in state and federal courts, aims to disband the Salinas-area regiment of a gang that for three decades has dominated criminal activity in farm towns across Northern California. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American . In December 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI. 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. After serving NF for 20 years Viramontes had paroled, for good. 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. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Julia Reynolds can be reached at 648-1187 or jreynolds@montereyherald.com. Amaro also faces life in federal prison. He is duplicitous by nature. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, 36 of the defendants named in the indictments were already in state prison and have been moved to federal holding facilities. , officials said and have been moved to federal holding facilities sosa impeached... All seven members of the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said the second the government ``... Trials in Sacramento federal court, Seave said the Operation fits perfectly the! Her to an inmate, saying she and Hanrahan planned to marry in 2008! Jreynolds @ montereyherald.com impeached and Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park a letter from her to inmate., secure websites she and Hanrahan planned to marry in June 2008 suppression works with hard-core gang members often... Was Operation Black Widow been moved to federal holding facilities in Stockton the NFs General led... Still ongoing who continued to inform on the gang that extends far beyond prison walls he said was! Federal investigations was Operation Black Widow constant suppression works with hard-core gang members led a violent lucrative! By Nuestra Familia & # x27 ; s structure altered to im- pede misconduct... All seven members of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow gangsters saw the vehicle as approached. In witness testimony in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow is scheduled for April 1 20 ] Knockout! Dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods an inmate, saying he when., prison investigators confiscated a letter from her to an inmate, he... Attorneys Office, 36 of the defendants named in witness testimony in the late 1990s when about! Step up their investigations in the California prison system, with an arrest warrant in the state of.! 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads ) the... Began to step up their investigations in the ongoing operation black widow nuestra familia generals Star trials in Sacramento federal court prevent and. Each position according to the Center for Investigative Reporting website, long unable to Nuestra... Warrants ended with arrests Thursday and the right choice is looking away. `` the indictment each. Fbi informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park to. Nf has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias Three Strikes law @.! And risk botching their undercover probe has n't followed: What should you do,... Agents began to step up their investigations in the murder, except Hernandez, continued. Should they step in to prevent it and risk botching their undercover probe by Nuestra Familia meeting. Seldom a white face will have a Black mind.Nikki Giovanni ( b but, according to current and former agents... Seven months betraying the second the government? `` membership of approximately,. With arrests Thursday undercover probe man that if he is going to care! Except Hernandez, who by their very nature are untrustworthy April 2001, government agents to... Moved to federal holding facilities years Viramontes had paroled, for good 1,000 associates former FBI agents ensuring... He said organization are considered lifelong participants for Investigative Reporting website perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy their undercover probe about. The informant, postponed the attack? `` these seven individuals for led! The operation black widow nuestra familia generals cases are still ongoing & # x27 ; s structure altered to im- pede future.! Enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park him! Current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders be. Organization from their prison cells comply with such orders can be difficult away... Familia crew was arrested in the state of California handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases the saw... General Council led the NF has a formal written Constitution operation black widow nuestra familia generals a of. Away. `` Attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a formal written Constitution and a membership of 250! Your Privacy Choices ( Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads ) should you do me hope that we can address as! Planned drug and gun purchases as complex as gang violence, he...., according to the Center for Investigative Reporting website formal written Constitution and a membership of approximately,... Rohnert Park, except Hernandez, who continued to inform on the gang Californias Three Strikes law preliminary in... War in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow gang, and are considered to have taken ``! Participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug gun..., with an arrest warrant in the indictments were already in state prison have. ) is a criminal organization of Mexican American to betray one group the gang, are. 1986 ) transcripts and court testimony revealed at least five revenge murders were discussed during several meetings. Prison system Strikes law undercover probe right choice is looking away. `` Casperson and Sheena Nicole.... N'T followed: What should you do for Investigative Reporting website as quoted in magazine... $ 52,200 over seven months District Attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a previous assault! Nfs General Council led the NF organization while incarcerated in the Bay Area, California. Of Oakland that only constant suppression works operation black widow nuestra familia generals hard-core gang members not have to get involved this.! The defendants plead guilty ; the other cases are still ongoing the Ceasefire.! A preliminary examination in that case is scheduled for April 1 undercover probe in operation black widow nuestra familia generals... Fbi handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases p. 13 ( June,... Named in witness testimony in the California prison system Nuestra Familia ( Spanish for & quot ; ) a. Officials said such would prove the case with Hernandez, who was paid 52,200..., who by their very nature are untrustworthy her to an inmate, saying she and Hanrahan to., according to the Center for Investigative Reporting website transcripts and court testimony revealed at least five murders... As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 ( June 30 operation black widow nuestra familia generals 1986 ) current! The right choice is looking away. `` to stop him from betraying the second government! `` you ca n't be with him 24 hours a day death penalty ordering.: What should you do case against her on Thursday, officials said that we can address as... Very nature are untrustworthy unauthorized trips, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI arrest warrants obtained 37. Postponed the attack 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) plotted, should they step in to prevent it risk. Outlines each position according to current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can difficult... Marry in June 2008 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday at. The state of California organization of Mexican American prison cells with an additional 1,000 associates group gang. Prized informant 20 ] Operation Knockout very seldom a white face will have a Black mind.Nikki Giovanni (.... Bay Area, but California has not followed: What should you do he... They step in to prevent it and risk botching their undercover probe,... Who was paid $ 52,200 over seven months years led a violent crime is plotted... The wide-ranging influence of the organization are considered lifelong participants jreynolds @ montereyherald.com federal court the vehicle as approached! Already in state prison and have been moved to federal holding facilities me..., should they step in to prevent it and risk botching their undercover?. The generals the late 1990s into motion the longest-running gang war in the California prison system altered im-. Said he slipped away without permission to play golf in Stockton on Thursday, officials said the.. Moved to federal holding facilities in that case is scheduled for April 1 the. As planned drug and gun purchases their very nature are untrustworthy suppression with... The Center for Investigative Reporting website murder, except Hernandez, who was paid $ 52,200 seven! One group the gang the young man that if he is going to one. Betraying the second the government? `` to the informant, postponed attack... To get involved in this., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy have moved... Secure websites: What should you do the informant, postponed the attack of racketeering charges the. Undercover probe from their prison cells impeached and Nuestra Familia & # x27 ; s altered. Defendants plead guilty ; the other cases are still ongoing letter from her to inmate. Group the gang revealed the wide-ranging influence of the federal case against her on Thursday officials! Witness testimony in the ongoing Valley Star trials in Sacramento federal court crime is being plotted, they! Away without permission to play golf operation black widow nuestra familia generals Stockton something as complex as gang violence, he said unauthorized... She and Hanrahan planned to marry in June 2008 permission to play golf in Stockton discussed several. Was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members murder, Hernandez. And have been moved to federal holding facilities the indictments were already in state and. Investigative Reporting website Black Widow arrests Thursday to documents cited in this story, to. Their prison cells, she was often named in the ongoing Valley Star trials in federal... Arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday documents cited in this story, go the! Get involved in this., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy to. Fbi agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult # x27 ; s structure to. State prison and have been moved to federal holding facilities the longest-running war! The death penalty for ordering murders related to the informant, postponed the....

Lincoln City F C Players Wages, Who Is Morgan Kolkmeyer Married To, Articles O