Parts of the constitution read No member of this O shall put material things, whether it be drugs, money, women, or punks (as related to the pinta) before the best interest of La Nuestra Familia or a familianos and that No familiano shall lie about his position in La Nuestra Familia when discussing familianos business to a superior or a brother member.. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Phoenix Divisions), the DEA, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Nuestra Familia is organized in a military-like hierarchy, with generals running the gang from inside prison and paroled regiment captains running the streets outside. The court also may order additional terms of supervised release, fines, and restitution. Last year, a newly revised constitution for the gang was distributed through underground channels, allowing for change in the mesa's structure, said Santa Cruz County sheriff's Sgt. [21] Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol. Abr. 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. 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. Nuestra Familia is a major Norteos criminal organization based in northern California. . John Jordan, an attorney representing Zarate, pointed out in a sentencing memo that these two victims in this case were never actually injured and that Zarate has accepted full responsibility and shown remorse. By disrupting gang leadership, we reduce violence on our streets. A former member said in an interview that leaders may use an ancient indigenous Mexican language, may send coded directions written in urine, and have also been known to smuggle information out of even the tightest prison cells through elaborate artwork. That the gang should be the dominant concern in the individual members life, ahead of family and personal concerns. [19], Since the written constitution of the Norteos stated that the gang's leaders resided in Pelican Bay State Prison in California; the relocation of the five leaders led to turmoil among its members. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). The sentences reflect the egregious conduct of the defendants who lured and intimidated younger members of the community into being the next generation of gang members ready to accept a life of crime, drugs, and violence. 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. Membership in the gang extends beyond prison. [23], On June 11, 2013, Santa Clara County district attorney Jeff Rosen announced the indictment of 48 Nuestra Familia associates on 77 felony charges ranging from drug dealing to murder.[24]. Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmfniTEvnOdU5WT76-TouOQ/join Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. What is the Supreme Power Structure of Nuestra Familia? Alberto Larez orchestrated the murder of a rival in San Jose. While all Nuestra Familia soldiers and captains in California are expected to follow the orders of Cervantes, a small percentage of the gang remains loyal to the former generals and captains imprisoned in Colorado. 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. An official website of the United States government. The leadership vacuum resulted in a power struggle between prospective generals. May 5, 2014 1:49 PM PT. Man convicted in fatal shooting of his uncle in Pinole Police surmise that the order was responsible for many of the shootings in Salinas in 2007, which increased by 50 percent over 2006 levels. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Vincent Gerald Garcia, 55, of Salinas. and manufacturers. Of nuestra familia nuestra familia tattoo of them have a nuestra familia members. . Northern District of California 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. A locked padlock Wife of Nuestra Familia Gang Leader Pleads Guilty in Ongoing Nuestra Familia Drug Trafficking Prosecution U.S. Attorney's Office March 25, 2013 Eastern District of California (916) 554-2700 The 17 indictmentstarget several facets of the Nuestra Familia gang and represent the most significant law enforcement action to disrupt the NF organization in decades, Hinds said. [20], While Nuestra Familia is primarily a Chicano gang, membership sometimes extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos. Harriette Cole: I never asked him to solve my problems but he won't back off, Gunmen storm Mexican resort, kill 7 people, including a child, California is changing how it goes after illegal cannabis farms, Caught off guard: How South Floridas rare storm compares to others, and where it sits in history, The final encore for Phantom: What the show means to one New Yorker who saw it dozens of times, For Varland brothers, now both in the MLB at same time, a dream come true, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Arizona, Florida,[2] Georgia, Idaho,[3] Nevada,[4] Kansas,[5] New Mexico, Northern California, By using InfoTracer you agree to comply with the conditions set forth in the InfoTracer terms of service. 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. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Draymond Green ejected; Warriors drop Game 2 against Kings, Feds announce massive takedown of Californias Nuestra Familia gang and leadership, One injured in shooting near San Jose State University, Investigation underway into back-to-back robberies in Palo Alto, Former Stanford University employee arraigned on charges of lying about rapes that shook campus, San Jose: Former group home operator sentenced to one year in prison for foster care embezzlement scheme, San Jose: Four arrested after police sideshow bust, | Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reporter. Operation Quiet Storm, as dubbed by the FBIs San Francisco area field office, yielded 17 indictments and 55 charged defendants, prompting an array of regional agencies including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office and San Jose Police Department to serve high-risk arrest warrants Wednesday. Like other major prison gangs, including the Aryan Brotherhood and the Mexican Mafia, Nuestra Familia issues orders from its power base in the Security Housing Unit of Pelican Bay. In the span of just over one year, Jaime Cervantes participated in three armed robberies on behalf of the gang, and stabbed a rival at the direction of his carnal Larez. This effort will attempt to gather information from all areas of Indigenous* History. Nuestra Familia leaders control and direct the gangs criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. The indictment alleges an NF oath provides: If I lead, follow. 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 five former leaders are James "Tibbs" Morado, 59, whose common-law wife, 20-year-old Salinas resident Crystal Nenque, was found slain on Hecker Pass Road near Watsonville in 2005; Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, 58; Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, 52; Cornelio Tristan, 46; and former Monterey resident Tex Marin Hernandez, 53. And though prison officials recently reorganized the housing in a way that slows down gang communications, coded directives are still smuggled out that translate to violence in California cities and farm towns. The inmates who formed the Nuestra Familia gang banded together to protect themselves from the Mexican Mafia, but then grew to be involved in drug dealing, extortion and robbery.[17]. All were indicted for racketeering charges. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. How can I seem modest? For the first time in decades, one man sits alone at the helm of the criminal organization that for more than 30 years has called the shots for thousands of Norte-o gang members in the Salinas Valley. We will continue to target these criminal organizations, dismantle their leadership, and return the violent offenders to prison.. Nuestra Familia are prison enemies of the Southern chicanos who consisted of La eMe, better known as the Mexican Mafia. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Harriette Cole: I never asked him to solve my problems but he won't back off, Bay Area tech bust emerges after yearslong regional hiring boom. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of California, with assistance from the BOP. Webinar: Strategies to Stop School Shootings - View On-Demand, Authorities say Nuestra Familia's revisions mean more violence in streets By Julia ReynoldsThe Monterey County HeraldMONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. Monterey County's deadliest gang has new leadership and a new constitution, forcing changes that law enforcement officers say is translating to increased violence in the streets. 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. While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. Lexipol. Alberto Larez, 48, aka Bird, of Salinas, Calif., was sentenced to life plus ten years in prison; Jaime Cervantes, 33, aka Hennessy, of San Mateo, Calif., was sentenced to 32 years in prison. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. [20] Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had complained that keeping the five remaining gang leaders located in the same prison only continued to add to California gang violence, and that they should be scattered throughout different prisons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Nuestra Familia gang initiation rites include blood in, blood out which means committing a bloody crime such as assault or murder in order to join or leave the gang. Young people see celebrities dressing and swaggering like gangsters and try to emulate that behavior. [15] The gang's main sources of income are distributing cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine within prison systems as well as in the community and extorting drug distributors on the streets. DOJ NF indictment 082521, 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. That leaves Cervantes, who has always kept a keen eye on Salinas affairs, firmly in control as the organization's only general. Harriette Cole: How do I tell him we'll never be housemates? Federal Courthouse Members still pay homage and do the bidding of the leaders in prison because they know theyre likely to be behind bars with them again. This . How can I seem modest? The NF has a formal written constitution and a membership of approximately 250, with an additional 1,000 associates. 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. Nuestra Familia leaders control and direct the gang's criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. Mexico, Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. Several defendants have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, including for other alleged murder conspiracies. [20] Cervantes' rise marked the first time in decades that the Norteos had a single leader at the helm of their criminal organization. Description of indictment by USDOJ against Nuestra Familia leaders, members and associates on Aug. 25, 2021. "He's trying to regroup these guys. This set of rules includes: Who may become a full member (not females); The structure of leadership; A . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Federal Courthouse [16], Nuestra Familia was organized at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California in 1960. Is it better for Nuestra Familia to establish a code of conduct that each member can refer to, or better to go without a constitution to avoid one more opportunity for federal law enforcement to prove the gang is an organized criminal syndicate with clear leadership? Federal charges announced for 55 California gang members Sep. 16, 2021 The specific charges for the various defendants range from federal racketeering to drug trafficking and murder, with. Also appearing at the press conference were Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Derrick Marion, Santa Clara Sheriff Laurie Smith, and San Jose Deputy Chief of Police Elle Washburn. This process has allowed Nuestra Familia and other gangs to flourish across the country. Maldonados mother wrote to the court that he entered the prison system as an immature young man and has been affected by prison life. The indictment outlines each position according to the NF Constitution. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Main Office: 1962(d) Racketeering Conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. [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. 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