Posted on 08/24/2005 9:31:23 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
An anti-gang task force arrested 15 defendants charged in a federal racketeering indictment with exercising control over Hispanic street gangs across Orange County, CA. The indictment alleges that members of the Ojeda Organization - named after leader and Mexican Mafia member Peter Ojeda - extorted "taxes" from street gangs and punished non-payers with assaults. In addition to the arrests made by well over 100 agents and officers associated with the Santa Ana Gang Task Force, ten defendants are already in state custody.
The three-count indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, asserts that the Ojeda Organization engaged in extortion and assault, as well as assisting in the distribution of narcotics throughout Orange County. Controlled by Peter Ojeda, the organization included high-ranking members of several Hispanic street gangs, which helped the organization exert its influence "from the streets of Orange County into the Orange County jail system and the California correctional system," according to the indictment.
A coordinated effort between local, state and federal authorities has taken down one of the most powerful gangsters in Orange County, according to United States Attorney Debra Wong Yang.
This case demonstrates the success in combating gang violence made possible when law enforcement at all levels share intelligence and combine resources. It also displays the amount of sophistication with which these new organized crime groups operate.
Santa Ana Police Chief Paul M. Walters said, "The arrest of these dangerous and violent criminals who have engaged in an on-going pattern of organized crime will have a significant impact on narcotic and gang activity throughout Orange County."
The indictment alleges that 16 of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly called RICO. The RICO charge alleges dozens of overt acts that members of the organization committed to expand the power and control of the enterprise.
Detailing conduct in 2004 and early 2005, the RICO count accuses Peter Ojeda and others of, for example, demanding taxes from numerous street gangs and others who wanted to distribute drugs in Orange County, coordinating the collection of taxes from jail inmates who were selling drugs, and ordering assaults for failing to pay taxes or for showing disrespect to the Ojeda Organization. Assaults were conducted when a "green light" was placed on the offending gang or gang member, meaning the gang or gang member would be assaulted by members of the Ojeda Organization or those doing its bidding.
The Ojeda Organization required Hispanic criminal street gangs in Orange County to pay money as a "tax" or "tribute" on a regular basis, the indictment alleges. The Ojeda Organization permitted the tax-paying gangs and gang members to exert influence over their neighborhoods and territories. The Ojeda Organization disciplined Orange County criminal street gangs and their members who engaged in unsanctioned violence, such as a drive-by shooting, which could cause increased law enforcement attention and thereby threaten the income of the Ojeda Organization.
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Sources: Santa Ana, CA Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Attorney's Office, California Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, National Association of Chiefs of Police, American Federation of Police
Where's he been?
They are only filling the gang member positions that Americans won't fill, and trying to make a better life for their families. Sheesh.
Have you read the book, or are you agent/publisher?
Not wise-cracking, just have not heard of him and glad to see this piece. Thanks for posting it!
They are only filling the gang member positions that Americans won't fill, and trying to make a better life for their families. Sheesh.
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Thanks Again Washington,DC, for your fine support of the safety and integrity of our country.
Leave the gun take the Chalupa.
Sounds like some racial profiling going on here. Somebody put a stop to this now!
No. No. (I wish)
You're welcome. :)
LOL - And with an appropos screen name, to boot!
Another great example of the PROBLEM WITH PRIORITIES that Washington has with itself -- we need to fight to the death in Iraq and Afghanistan to remove oppression, but we just open the door and let the criminals right into America by the millions -- WITHOUT ANY FIGHT OR EFFORT.
Yes, we have a serious problem in Washington.
ROFL!
Ping
This is interesting in that the criminals are basically extorting money from each other.
Not just Orange County, they are taking over the gangs in San Bernardino County also. On the street I grew up in Ontario, Ca there have been two murders in the last month. One victim a family member another a 19 year little gang banger. The thing about the mexican mafia that seperates them from a gang is the organization and the violence. If you get in the way they send a message or messages, its bad.
"Mexican Mafia: New Crime Syndicate in California"
Thank you OBLoonies. Thank you Bushbots. Thank you Liberal Socialist Whackos.
Mexican Mafia, just doing the jobs Americans won't do.
"Mexican Mafia: New Crime Syndicate in California" Thank you OBLoonies. Thank you Bushbots. Thank you Liberal Socialist Whackos. Mexican Mafia, just doing the jobs Americans won't do.
The Mexican Mafia (MM) or "La Eme" (EME) is a large prison gang in the United States. It was formed in the 1950s by chicano street gang members incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution, located in Tracy, California. The founding members formed the organization to protect chicanos from other prison gangs. By using violence, the Mexican Mafia eventually gained significant power and control over illegal activities in the California prison system. As members were released from state custody, they extended their influence outside the prison system to control drug distribution — principally by "taxing" drug dealers — in parts of Southern California. Now the control of the Mexican Mafia extends into most of Texas and many other parts in the United States. Wikipedia
Membership Characteristics: The EME is primarily comprised of Mexican-Americans.Profile in Gangs Or US
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