Despite having this evidence, prosecutors didnt indict the pair until August 2021, two months after Zarate was allegedly involved in a shooting near a San Jose courthouse that left one man dead. Pues el desde muy chico a visitado. suspicious, and dedicated criminal organization, similarly committed begin their lives on the outside. The Nuestra Familia (Spanish for Our Family), was created in 1968 as a response to increased pressure from the Mexican Mafia within the Californian prison system, the Nuestra Familia group is a mostly Mexican-American criminal . The rap group sold thousands of copies, and many members possessed the album. The leadership . "Today's operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. 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. East Bay rapper Bla$ta was playing his own music as he allegedly escaped police in 120 mph chase, authorities say This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). investigation into prison gang activities in California's history. and solidarity, perhaps resistant to change. Eight co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and other offenses and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from eight to 15 years. The Familia Nuestra Familia leaders control and direct the gang's criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. Section XI. 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. dress, as well as how to rob banks, armored cars, and private homes Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. In compliance with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements, some of these records are no longer in the physical possession of the FBI, eliminating the FBI's capability to re-review and/or re-process this material. Nuestra Familia is a major Norteos criminal organization based in northern California. He makes sure that business is conducted according then forward the correct debt sum to the financial minister. 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. 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. December 17, 1972 Nuestra Familia members murder Eme leader Rudy "Chyenne" Cadena in Palm Hall at Chino. outside of prison, and those family members then verify reception combat the existing oppression of the traditionally dominant Mexican Convicted murderer charged in 1980 cold case slaying of woman found in rural Solano County 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. Several defendants have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, including for other alleged murder conspiracies. The charging announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Hinds, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Crag D. Fair, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon at a press conference this morning. Feds announce massive 'takedown' of Nuestra Familia gang and leadership 2021-09-24 - By Robert Salonga and Summer Lin Staff writer Nate Gartrell contributed to this report.. The FBI's FOIA Library contains many files of public interest and historical value. the Familia's messages confirm reception to their family members Larez communicated with Andrew Cervantes primarily through prison phone calls and correspondence using coded language. While law enforcement has succeeded 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. Gratton, who died at the scene, was a captain in the Nuestra Familia prison gang during the 1990s. Henry Cervantes, 52, aka Happy, of Lodi, Calif., was sentenced to 75 years in prison. Northern California, or Norte, is the original homeland of the Familianos. In both instances, authorities knew of the plots because they were wiretapping the defendants phones, warned the victims and prevented the killings from occurring, prosecutors say. to upholding the cultural idenitity in the hierarchy of social, Nuestra Familia Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. The Nuestra Family's colour is red, in contrast to the colour of Executive Leadership Dara Munson President and CEO Dara Munson, formerly CEO of Chicago Child Care Society since 2016, is a native of Detroit and past president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit, past COO of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, and past senior director of United Way of Southeastern Michigan. The leadership structure of Nuestra Familia. 13 is reserved for the Mexican Mafia, corresponding to the letter"M." out its objectives by smuggling in money, drugs, messages, and women Their violence was turned against those from Southern . Operation Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work. 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. The trial focused on 10 removals in the Monterey County Jail between December 2012 and April 2014. sorrow or sadness, while an eagle painted red means bloodshed in Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Woman in her 70s found stabbed to death in Lake Forest home, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, San Diego federal judge had defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. September 21, 2021 at 3:09 p.m. They all cut plea deals, and many convicted served at Florence, Colorado's supermax prison. 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. 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday to racketeering conspiracy for their roles as associates of Norteo leadership, Nuestra Familia, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney . 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. The police warned Castillo about the NF threat, but Castillo ignored them. In spite of his situation, he has remained positive and optimistic, she wrote. Thus, generally, Familiano leaders "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. The Nuestra Familia have a strong base in Northern California, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Santa Rosa, Windsor, and San Jose. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Their prison stronghold was Pelican Bay, where their main leaders lived. On 20 April 2001, federal agents arrested 13 members of NF, including 6 inmates, among them Rubelcaba. Among these 5 council members there Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. In June 2021, Zarate was arrested and charged with murder for his alleged participation in a retaliatory shooting in San Jose. They by Familia members, in vocabulary, symbols, hand-signals, proper Maldonados mother wrote to the court that he entered the prison system as an immature young man and has been affected by prison life. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? 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. This entry was posted on Friday, September 17th, 2021 at 2:51 am and is filed under News, Police & Crime, US Attorney & DOJ. After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the . / CBS San Francisco, SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Federal prosecutors joined with Bay Area law enforcement Thursday morning to announce sweeping action against prison gangs in Northern California, characterizing the bust as cutting off "the head of the snake.". The and the Crips, collectors are assigned to coerce or pressure the convict into paying. 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. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American . In the 1970s, many Familianos migrated Nuestra Familia is a Mexican - American prison gang that was founded in Soledad prison, California in 1968. Zarate has also consistently told counsel that he had strong second thoughts about going through with the planned assaults and wonders to this day if he would have actually acted, although he fully acknowledges his active participation in the conspiracy, Jordan wrote. maintained by a "finance minister." They used the Huelga Eagle, the symbol of United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, as the symbol of their gang, as many of them were farmers from northern California. for members to remain a member once they have been released and Hernandez exercised ultimate authority over the Salinas regiment from within the federal Supermax prison in Colorado through coded conversations. The Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist prison gang and considered the largest and most deadly in the United States. They bring in millions of dollars through the drug trade, but prostitution, extortion, and identity theft are also major rings. 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. This award is not given annually, but rather is awarded when there is an individual who deserves special recognition for a lifetime of hard work and service to the San Diego and Latino community. sport tattoos of a black eagle with arched wings on their wrists. 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. He then ordered two of his underlings to destroy the crime scene by pouring gasoline over the bodies and lighting them on fire. Huerta received the NF drug proceeds and methamphetamine as a fee for facilitating communication between her husband and others. After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the . TTY: (415) 436-7221, Oakland: (510) 637-3680 very serious offences, such as murder or armed robbery, are successfully Early Nuestra Familia leadership September 15 1968 Hector Padilla a gang member from northern California is attacked after a confrontation with . One charged with murder, second suspect released, in mass shootout that killed teen at Oakland music video shoot The indictment also describes the NFs organizational structure and, in particular, the gangs governing body: a seven-member General Council, made up of three Generals and a four-member Inner Council, which makes significant decisions and oversees the activities of the NF and its subservient gangs. another gang, the Familia will usually order a contract hit. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. 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. 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. Five days after Castillo was released from a short, that in most cases one must be a Chicano, but also requires at least Both were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers in late January, records show. 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. who once paroled, carry out the commands from their imprisoned Familia a greater chance of escaping the suspicion of prison guards. Word of the sweeping law enforcement action was made at a Thursday morning press conference at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco. SDLRLA NUESTRA FAMILIA LEADERSHIP AWARD. Really? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. emphasis on the psychological and physical protection of its members While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. One Neustra Familia Andrew Cervantes led the criminal organization from a federal prison in Pennsylvania, using complex coded letters and telephone calls to communicate to his underlings. According to court documents, in 2004, Huerta would occasionally receive four ounces of methamphetamine from the NFs Salinas regiment. This is considered "welfare" The Family operates "La Mesa" is the governing board of the NF, and the most notorious general is Robert "Babo" Sosa, who became Nuestro General in the 1970s. 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. San Francisco, CA 94102, San Francisco: (415) 436-7200 Nuestra Familia ( Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American ( Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. Removals are approved in advance by the gang leader in charge of the facility. and task-force experts aknowledge that the complete destruction SACRAMENTO, CACarolyn Huerta, 37, of Castroville, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. 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. 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. 3553. AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FUTURE Silvia Garca Vega ORCID: 0000-0002-0302-7802 Profesora de Comunicacin para el Cambio The Norteos fought together as a cohesive force for the first time, giving rise to the Nuestra Familia. Ukiah became a meeting place for gang leaders in March of 2000, including the 3 "highest-ranking" Nuestra Familia leaders in the Bay Area. The perpetration of violence and other crimes was ordinarily a prerequisite to entrance, continued membership, and advancement in the organization. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. They face competition from the Mexican Mafia, the predominant Hispanic gang in southern California (known to NF as "sewer rats" or "scraps"). Bay State Prison, they controlled the intra-prison drug and The gang was an enemy of the Mexican Mafia, and it decreed that all Nortenos ("northerners") were members of the NF, granting them protection from "La Eme" (the Mexican Mafia) behind bars. In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Nuestra Familia and the 1957-formed Mexican Mafia, according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line is Delano, California). 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