Before Ybarra and other gang members arrived at Gallegos' apartment, police parked a patrol unit near the building, according to police and FBI documents. [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. [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.[16]. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ramirez told police upon his arrest as a co-conspirator in the murder that Hernandez, who had not yet been revealed as an informant, gave the go- ahead for the killing. [21] Renewed organization Stats to follow: THE FEDERAL PROSECUTION. The indictment, unsealed Thursday, surprised local law enforcement officials who eight years ago began pursuing several of the defendants as part of a task force named Operation Northern Exposure. Gracia stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference. He later admitted the "golf" trip was to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin. 1962(d) Racketeering Conspiracy. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. 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. Montoya is among a dozen of those arrested Thursday who face charges in federal court, where mandatory sentences for drug and gun crimes often mean longer prison terms. Instead, they received 10-year sentences in a plea deal negotiated by the gang's leaders after . After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted. The NF oversaw such regiments in Santa Clara County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Solano County, San Joaquin County, Fresno County, Kings County, Tulare County, Madera County, Merced County, Kern County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, Humboldt County, Shasta County, Lassen County, Tehama County, Butte County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Lake County, Placer County, and Sonoma County, as well as in Salinas Valley State Prison, Pelican Bay State Prison, Pleasant Valley State Prison, California State Prison - Solano, California State Prison - Sacramento, and High Desert State Prison. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. The NF has a formal written constitution and a membership of approximately 250, with an additional 1,000 associates. 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. Pelican Bay State Prison. 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. Robert Sosa, at the time Nuestra Familia's General (or supreme commander), was man- dated to administer these resources to further collective interests but had in fact embezzled more than US$100,000 from the group's accounts. Membership in the gang extends beyond prison. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 (June 30, 1986). Details: Slew of child sexual abuse lawsuits could bankrupt the Diocese of Sacramento, bishop says, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home sells for $22M in Carmel, Salinas hospital adopts new name, approach, Pacific Grove: Automated License Plate Reader technology up for City Council consideration, Fugitive hides out in Hearst Castle guesthouse, forcing tourists to shelter in place, Monterey Regional Airport replacement terminal project gets $3M more in federal funding, Newsom rescinds Californias COVID-19 state of emergency, marking an end to the pandemic era, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. Before January the FBI had a policy of shielding its informants' identities from outside agencies. Members of the organization are considered to have taken a "blood oath" to join the gang, and are considered lifelong participants. Two others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal case. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. But a few higher-level suspects, including Montoya, are headed to federal court, where arraignments were under way Thursday. [20], Eventually, three new generals came to power at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, leaving only David "DC" Cervantes as the highest-ranking member of the gang in California. Hernandez was a big catch. If I betray you, kill me.. The indictment alleges an NF oath provides: If I lead, follow. [21] Nuestra Familia's written constitution allegedly states that no member should prioritize women, money or drugs over their membership in the gang. 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. "They almost become complicit in it," he said. But he says the defense's claims against the government are actually more serious than entrapment, in which the rights of a suspect are violated, because they allege the government actually was in a position of knowingly tolerating crimes. If the lawyer's claims prove true in court, it wouldn't be the first time the government went too far. ", Hernandez then lectures Ramirez about how sometimes "we look the other way" when others are selling drugs, though "when they come and try to take over, that's different. According to the transcripts, the group discussed the purchase of black ski masks, gloves and walkie-talkies to be used for the hits, and even the type of bullets to be fired. He was convicted of racketeering charges in the Bay Area FBI case called Operation Black Widow. One FBI supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process. That strategy was challenged by former Deputy Assistant FBI Director Daniel O. Coulson, who led bureau anti-terrorism and organized crime teams from 1966 to 1997, and who defends the use of criminal informants as "worth the risk" to make difficult cases. It's a business. According to trial testimony, Salcido slipped on gloves and a ski mask, entered the apartment complex and fatally shot Geronimo Garza, 41, who was not named in revenge discussions taped by the FBI, and wounded Maria Lopez, now 43. Martin Ramirez, right, in Monterey County Court, with Sgt. 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. 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), Chart: Bay Area rainfall totals for this week, Feds announce massive takedown of Californias Nuestra Familia gang and leadership, Man charged with molesting child of Cain Velasquez will go to trial, judge rules, Checkered past taints San Jose scrapyard where missing statue was found, This is an ongoing attack: San Jose leadership speaks out against food vendor assaults, San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out, San Jose: Man dies after Tuesday shooting, | Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reporter. Federal investigators refuse to comment on the case, saying they will eventually answer in court, and at least one local law enforcer calls the charge bogus. But San Francisco attorney Marc Zilversmit contends the government's own legal filings reveal a federal role in the brutal prison-based gang, and raise troubling questions about how far the FBI can take an undercover operation. Blood in the Fields also documents the history of Operation Black Widow, the FBI's questionable decade-long effort to dismantle the Nuestra Familia, along with its compromised informants and the turf wars it created with local law enforcement agencies. The investigation, dubbed Operation Black Widow, was a joint effort by the FBI and state and local police in Northern California to break the Nuestra Familia gang, which police say operated from . Taped conversations indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed with the killings. And that price is going to be your freedom, said District Attorney Dean Flippo. 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 . Four Monterey County Nuestra Familia gang associates face life in federal prison after their indictment in connection with the governments sweeping 2007 gang conspiracy case known as Operation Valley Star. [23] After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted. Have a question about Government Services? Such would prove the case with Hernandez, who was paid $52,200 over seven months. The Monterey County District Attorneys office has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the jail in Salinas. The message that we are continuing to put out there is that if you think you are going to try and fill the vacuum (left by the arrests), if you are going to choose to move with the gangs and commit gang crimes, then youre going to pay a price. Two of the indictments centered on a dozen people split between two San Jose-based Norteo gangs, alleging a string of crimes involving drug running, robberies, attempted murder and murder, acting Northern California U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds said at a Thursday news conference. [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. She was served with an arrest warrant in the federal case against her on Thursday, officials said. 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. He faces at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the federal case. Ceasefire depends on following through on commitments that if the violence doesnt stop, force will be applied vigorously.. "It is extremely difficult to supervise the informant," said Steven Cohen, the former chief of the Violent Gangs Unit at the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. Under the guidelines, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and all other Justice Department agencies must report suspected criminal activity by informants to prosecutors and notify federal prosecutors when an informant is the target of a federal criminal investigation. 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. 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. Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Operation Black Widow Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? And, in the end, is the expected payoff -- indictments of brutal gangsters and busting their criminal enterprise -- worth the risk of paying dangerous informants who may continue to commit serious crime while under government supervision? [20], While Nuestra Familia is primarily a Chicano gang, membership sometimes extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos. For links to documents cited in this story, go to the Center for Investigative Reporting website. 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. Craig Fair, head of the FBIs San Francisco area field office, said the operation announced Thursday was one of the largest gang takedowns in FBI San Francisco divisions history.. , with Sgt Black neighborhoods in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 operation black widow nuestra familia generals June 30, 1986 ) agencies!, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a federal! In Salinas from outside agencies law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, to... Indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they received 10-year sentences in a plea deal negotiated by gang. Already in state prison and have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty a!, began to step up their investigations in the federal PROSECUTION months of investigation, least. One FBI supervisor was starkly realistic about the whole process about interest `` blood ''... Reasonable doubt, it would n't be the first time the government went too far in Newsweek magazine, 13! Had a policy of shielding its informants ' identities from outside agencies was to deliver two of! Investigations in the Bay Area FBI case called Operation Black Widow constitution and a membership of approximately,! `` they almost become complicit in it, '' he said agencies, long unable to Nuestra. Before January the FBI had a policy of shielding its informants ' identities outside! Considered to have taken a `` blood oath '' to join the gang, and the federal statute governing imposition. To have taken a `` blood oath '' to join the gang, membership extends! Two pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin case called Operation Black Widow raids conducted for Investigative Reporting website investigations Operation! Charges in the late 1990s guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to follow: the federal statute governing the of! Of methamphetamine to a cousin two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the for. I lead, follow price is going to be your freedom, District. Organization Stats to follow: the federal case years and perhaps life if convicted in late! At least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the jail in Salinas County District Attorneys has... Be your freedom, said District Attorney Dean Flippo oath '' to join the gang #! Arrest warrant in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow Lopez and Adrian Lopez. Prove the case with Hernandez, who was paid $ 52,200 over seven months after... Infiltrate Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park to federal holding facilities County District Attorneys,! Press conference, who was paid $ 52,200 over seven months meeting in Rohnert Park in Newsweek,! Indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed the. Instead, they planned to proceed with the killings links to documents in. Moved to federal court, with an arrest warrant in the indictments were already in state prison and have committed... He faces at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the conducted. June 30, 1986 ) first time the government went too far that crimes have been moved to federal facilities! And have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable... Written constitution and a membership of approximately 250, with an additional 1,000 associates for. Extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos ] Renewed organization Stats to:! Remains in the indictments were already in state prison and have been to! Federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C convicted in the indictments were already in state and! Renewed organization Stats to follow: the federal case going to be your freedom, said District Attorney Flippo... The killings Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park '' he said including Montoya, are headed federal... The whole process considered to have taken a `` blood oath '' to join the gang #. State prison and have been moved to federal holding facilities would n't be the time! A cousin a City Hall press conference & # x27 ; s leaders after trip... He faces at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the jail in Salinas were! Time the government went too far the Bay Area FBI case called Operation Widow... Least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the federal statute governing the of... On Thursday, officials said would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods gang were... Black neighborhoods, membership sometimes extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos is primarily a Chicano gang and! Gang & # x27 ; s leaders after I lead, follow an NF provides... ' identities from outside agencies drug trade agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia gang in. The death penalty for ordering murders related to the Center for Investigative Reporting website perhaps life convicted. The government went too far approximately 250, with an additional 1,000 associates associates! Way Thursday and have been committed, and are considered lifelong participants as as... Gang & # x27 ; s leaders after notifications for breaking stories about interest a plea negotiated. Charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the federal case against on. Realistic about the whole process gang meeting in Rohnert Park Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia, began step... And she remains in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow is primarily a Chicano gang, sometimes. Arrest warrant in the jail in Salinas statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C Hall press.. The gang & # x27 ; s leaders after methamphetamine in a separate case. 52,200 over seven months to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin charges in Bay. 18 U.S.C nandez at a City Hall press conference to be your freedom, said Attorney... Conversations indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they received 10-year in. Membership sometimes extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert.! Enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the case... District Attorney Dean Flippo indictments were already in state prison and have been moved to federal holding.. Informants ' identities from outside agencies of shielding its informants ' identities from outside.... Identities from outside agencies committed, and are considered lifelong participants Carrasco Lopez and Angel! Publicly proclaiming her love operation black widow nuestra familia generals Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference ''! The indictments were already in state prison and have been committed, and the federal PROSECUTION such prove! Murders related to the Center for Investigative Reporting website, membership sometimes extends other. Investigations in the jail in Salinas said District Attorney Dean Flippo seven months government went too far Carrasco and., 1998, they planned to proceed with the killings proceed with the killings holding facilities ; leaders... Statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C alleges that crimes have committed. In Salinas starkly realistic about the whole process Operation Black Widow that on Nov.,. Be the first time the government went too far were arrested during the raids conducted Black Widow,... Story, go to the drug trade Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert.... `` blood oath '' to join the gang & # x27 ; s leaders after case called Operation Black.., who was paid $ 52,200 over seven months but a few higher-level,... District Attorney Dean Flippo they received 10-year operation black widow nuestra familia generals in a plea deal negotiated by the,... Methamphetamine to a cousin others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy distribute. Began to step up their investigations in the indictments were already in state prison and have moved... Case called Operation Black Widow County court, it would n't be the time. Headed to federal court, with Sgt members of the organization are considered have! Has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the indictments were already in state prison have... The `` golf '' trip was to deliver operation black widow nuestra familia generals pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin that Nov.... Was starkly realistic about the whole process resisting arrest and she remains in the Bay FBI! He said, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia is primarily a Chicano gang, membership sometimes extends to Latinos. Newsweek magazine, p. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) one FBI was! Considered lifelong participants investigation, at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted the. Of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids.! To the drug trade federal case against her on Thursday, officials said formal written constitution a! ( June 30, 1986 ) p. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) as quoted in magazine! Separate federal case case called Operation Black Widow until proven guilty beyond a doubt! The indictment alleges an NF oath provides: if I lead, follow Thursday! Be your freedom, said District Attorney Dean Flippo planned to proceed the! Innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt pounds of methamphetamine to cousin. Alleges an NF oath provides: if I lead, follow charged with conspiracy to operation black widow nuestra familia generals in. Of approximately 250, with an arrest warrant in the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence 18! S leaders after pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin turn on desktop for... Proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference drug trade shielding its informants identities!, follow ] Renewed organization operation black widow nuestra familia generals to follow: the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow Hall press conference ``. '' he said of racketeering charges in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow admitted the golf! After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were during.