DON'T F**K WIT ME MANG!
Posted on 04/06/2005 2:07:33 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
A member of the Texas Mexican Mafia testified today that the gang's collection of a street tax from drug dealers was for protection.
Ricardo "Cookie Monster" Saenz, who pleaded guilty in the case last year as part of a plea deal, was the first of several informants expected to testify at the trial against four alleged members of the "family," as he put it.
Saenz rarely looked toward the defense table. That was likely because he apparently violated the gang's cardinal sin -- he cooperated with law enforcement.
But the bespectacled Saenz, whose many tattoos peeked from his orange jail jumpsuit, calmly identified three of the defendants as being part of the gang's operations -- Jimmy "Panson" Zavala, Johnny "Gira" Garcia-Esparza and Sammy "Spiderman" Garcia.
They are charged along with Juan Victor "Smiley" Valles of being part of a drug-distribution conspiracy that used guns and violence to further the gang's causes.
Saenz also testified that the Mexican Mafia was run as an organization, with leaders in the free world directing many rank-and-file members. Statewide, the gang had about 1,000 members when he was in prison, said Saenz, who was released in October 2001.
Once released, Saenz reported to an esquina referring to the four "corners" or sections - North, South, East and West - that the gang divvied up San Antonio.
He testified about a common practice of the gang in obtaining revenue -- the collection of "the dime" -- a 10-percent street tax on drug dealers for "protection."
The drug dealer is "protected from other carnales (Mexican Mafia members) charging him the dime again or other dealers trying to drive them away," Saenz said.
According to Saenz's testimony, the Mexican Mafia mirrored law enforcement in its methods of finding out who was dealing drugs without paying the dime.
"We found out through people who tell us -- the drug addicts," Saenz said. "We sometimes give them some money, and go with them to see them score. Or, we'll send in another carnal (Mexican Mafia member) who's not known in that neighborhood so they can score."
Once the gang identified the seller, they had a talk about paying the tax.
"Nine times out of 10......they will (pay)," Saenz said.
If they don't, "usually they run from us. If we find them, we'll raid their house, take all their stuff," Saenz said, adding that he participated in some raids, but never hurt anybody during those.
Saenz said he would get cocaine from Zavala -- whom Saenz said was second in command in the free world -- to distribute to drug dealers.
Saenz also said he would make arrangements through Garcia-Esparza to obtain heroin, and that Sammy Garcia would deliver it to Saenz.
The four defendants on trial face up to life in prison. Saenz once faced that penalty as well, but in exchange for Saenz's testimony, prosecutors will ask for leniency at sentencing, said his lawyer, Michael Morris. There was no agreement, however, as to how much time Saenz will get.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gcontreras@express-news.net
He'll die in prison.
Mexican Mafia Trial Ping!
Please let me know if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
El Presidente Fox does not like to have his business discussed in public!!
Add me to your list
ping
If they don't, "usually they run from us. If we find them, we'll raid their house, take all their stuff," Saenz said, adding that he participated in some raids, but never hurt anybody during those.
And this differs from the IRS how?
Just collecting the protection money Americans won't. /sarcasm?
Another reason open borders suck. Why we suck up to that awful nation is beyond me.
The IRS won't protect you from other gangs - fed, state, local, and carnales.
At least you get a service from the carnales.
the more i learn, the more my heart is breaking for my country.
Thanks GW and the RINOs for allowing the illegals to kill innocent Americans. Bush is to blame period.
I wonder how many of these MM gang member are American-born? This Saenz guy is going back in for a second time.
How many Mexican-born gang members are we supporting in prison? Why can't we send them back to Mexican prison?
They run the prison and they run the streets. Our law enforcement can do nothing about it. Just more pieces of the puzzle to ponder.
More than likely, if he gets any more than about 48 hours in with the general population, it will be a life sentence for all intents and purposes.
Probably no great loss to the community, however.
Multiculturalism.
The Mexican Mafia has a 10% flat tax.
Some in govt. are talking about building prisons in mexico, so they can have them back that way. It will be alot cheaper.
What's the problem?
Only 10%, what a deal for "protection."
My wife charges me 15%.............
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.