But a few higher-level suspects, including Montoya, are headed to federal court, where arraignments were under way Thursday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Salinas Police photo FBI transcripts and court testimony revealed at least five revenge murders were discussed during several taped meetings. Armando Frias, the gunman in the murder of Raymond Sanchez, says FBI informant Daniel Hernandez authorized the killing. [1] In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Nuestra Familia[14] and the 1957-formed Mexican Mafia, according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line is Delano, California). . Three gang members later said in interviews or police reports that Hernandez gave a "green light" to commit the murder. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? 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. She is a graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland project during the 2016 presidential election. Lewis Katz, the John C. Hutchins professor of law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, said that law enforcement allowing an informant to occupy a position of authority in a criminal organization would raise ethical, if not legal, questions about the handling of an investigation. "I find it to be a horse of a different color from using a low-level informant. Two others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal case. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Occasionally a black face goes with a white mind. In a letter to the court, Frias said that a fellow gang member "pushed the matter (with Hernandez) and finally got the 'green light' for the murder .. . The indictment outlines that the Nuestra Familia used hierarchical and paramilitary structures to control thousands of California gang members and counties across Northern California even while most of the top leadership was incarcerated.. Eventually, three new generals came to power at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, . 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. Both investigations were led by the FBI and crippled the gangs operations after the arrests of dozens of Nuestra Familia members and associates from Monterey County. Read more about this topic: Nuestra Familia, It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding. A check of her cell phone showed gang indicia, the report said, referring to photos of gang members. Five defendants in the Valley Star case have already undergone trials in Sacramento federal court, and all have been convicted of drug and conspiracy charges. Attorney General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members. 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. The operation, known by its code-name: Black Widow, aimed at damaging and destabilizing the internal structure of Nuestra Familia by means of targeting its leaders. In the weeks leading up to Lizard's arrest, Kayln . This book on the prison gang, Nuestra Familia is very in depth and gives a firsthand true account of one man's life in the gang. Operation Black Widow Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. With no leaders in Pelican Bay, generals began fighting for power. Of special interest were members who held positions of power within the gang, including Martin Cyclone Montoya, a man who investigators say was in charge of Nuestra Familias powerful Salinas regiment. Further, the indictment describes the appointment by these leaders of NF members to positions of power over hierarchical and paramilitary structures called regiments, imposed on its gang members operating on the streets in California. U.S. Attorney Steven Gruel declined to comment on whether the informant might lose his protection from prosecution, because Hernandez, by his own admission, violated terms of the agreement in which he said he would not lie to his handlers, commit new crimes, or keep any illegally earned assets. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. If the lawyer's claims prove true in court, it wouldn't be the first time the government went too far. Julia Reynolds can be reached at 648-1187 or jreynolds@montereyherald.com. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. The FBI has declined to issue any comment on the Black Widow investigation. It is clear they have hard and fast rules, and those who run afoul are met with intimidation and violence that spills into our communities, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon. Chief Assistant District Attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias Three Strikes law. [11], Members of Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas ("red rags") to identify themselves. 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. Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Monterey County Assistant District Attorney Ann Hill, who prosecuted Hanrahan locally in 2007, said she was pleased to hear about the new charges because Hanrahan is due to be released from state prison in nine years or less. Ramirez pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI's informant allowed the hit. 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. Law enforcement authorities seized 40 pounds of cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, and dozens of firearms. That case, as well as revelations about how a mob informant, James "Whitey" Bulger, was protected by some agents while he was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, led the Justice Department to set new guidelines for their agents in the handling of informants in January 2001. Some in law enforcement believe that, while fighting Nuestra Familia was worthwhile, younger members will soon rise to take leadership. [21], Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Salcido was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. A decade ago, the FBI"s Operation Black Widow targeted the gang"s top leaders in Pelican Bay State Prison, as well as its out-of-prison regiment commanders for Salinas and other agricultural. In December 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. By 2007, three dozen of the gangs leaders and associates were arrested and charged with conspiracy in the Valley Star case that is still being tried in a Sacramento federal court. Subpoenaed phone records show that an eight-minute call was placed from a Salinas gang member's cell phone to Hernandez five days before the killing, but there is no FBI report or transcript of the call to indicate he had taped it, as required by the informant's agreement with the FBI. But police and the FBI, wanting to build their case, did not arrest the gang members for conspiracy to commit murder. 13 Nuestra Familia gang leaders names. On Nov. 30, 2001, FBI agents overseeing Hernandez wrote in one of their final reports: "Source (Hernandez) participated in unauthorized criminal activity while under the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [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. The suspects, under heavy surveillance, roamed Salinas with loaded weapons for several days. Defense attorneys lost a motion to dismiss the case, based on a claim that the government was responsible for murder and assault because it essentially ran Nuestra Familia activities through its informant Daniel Hernandez, who commanded the gang's street operations outside of prison. 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. Experts say the new guidelines were designed to provide outside checks and balances for the FBI without hindering agents' ability to do their jobs. " Hernandez: "Yeah. Instead, they received 10-year sentences in a plea deal negotiated by the gang's leaders after . Details: 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. Unbeknownst to him, he'd been snared in the web of Operation Black Widow, a three-year FBI sting operation that led to federal racketeering and murder indictments against 21 gang members. He was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge. 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. Amaro also faces life in federal prison. It was not immediately disclosed how many of the 19 remaining defendants were arrested in the law-enforcement sweeps this week. Taped conversations indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed with the killings. Hernandez replies, "Yeah" and adds: "Why are you gonna beat up somebody when they're just gonna come back and shoot you up, right? State and federal law enforcement officials chose Salinas for the raids because for years the city has been known as a hub of Nuestra Familias activity. He quoted a California Department of Corrections memo describing the gang's activities from January through the spring of 2001: "All operations were at direction of OBW [Operation Black Widow] staff with [a Special Services Unit Special Agent's] concurrence and were monitored with audio/video equipment and personnel.". [21] Nuestra Familia's written constitution allegedly states that no member should prioritize women, money or drugs over their membership in the gang. FBI records indicate that he failed to record or report on phone calls with gang members and he disappeared without telling his handlers. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. 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. If it comes to it we have no choice but if we have a choice in the matter, then let's make it the right choice. 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. We're going to take care of it. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Informant Daniel Hernandez, a former Nuestra Familia leader, is expected to be a star witness in the federal trial under way in San Francisco. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. All were indicted for racketeering charges. Northern District of California A task force of law enforcement agents listening in learned that Nuestra Familia member Hector Gallegos was scheduled to be the first victim. Most of the defendants are headed to Monterey County court, where they will face drug, gang, weapons and possible conspiracy charges. A lock ( "You can't be with him 24 hours a day. This is not done yet.. The investigation is the first time law enforcement has attempted to bring in such large numbers of Nuestra Familia associates from one geographic area, and the hope is this will virtually shut down the gangs business in Salinas long enough for other anti-violence strategies to take hold. The indictment handed down onAugust 25, 2021, and unsealed today, catalogues a litany of crimes allegedly directed by the Nuestra Familias command structure incarcerated in California prisons. [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]. KTVU FOX 2 SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU and wires) - Seventeen alleged Nuestra Familia gang members were in custody and six others were being sought Friday on charges ranging from attempted murder to. 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. San Francisco, CA 94102, San Francisco: (415) 436-7200 The government's response had been due to be filed with the court on Nov. 29, but prosecutors requested and were given an additional 10 days. Authorities seized 40 pounds of cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, as well as other drugs. According to court documents, high-ranking Nuestra Familia members Salvador Castro, Jr. and Raymond Lopez used contraband cell phones from inside Fresno County's Pleasant Valley State Prison to . He faces at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the federal case. In scale and ambition, the operation dwarfs the two largest cases against the Nuestra Familia: Operation Black Widow ended in 2005, and Operation Valley Star led to a massive trial just under way in a Sacramento federal court. 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. One of those was Armando Frias, the triggerman who pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced in late October to a term of 29 years to life. For eight months, officers conducted intense surveillance and investigation of Salinas-area Nuestra Familia associates, who they believed were loyal to the two remaining factions of the gang after Black Widow split the gangs leadership. [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. She previously covered D.C. politics and California lawsuits for McClatchy's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter. Very seldom a white face will have a black mind.Nikki Giovanni (b. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). But officials say it soon expanded outside, and over the last three-and-a-half decades has carried out hundreds of murders and thousands of robberies, staking its claim to its turf with intimidation and violence. 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. 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. both faced life sentences in the FBI's sweeping Operation Black Widow conspiracy case in 2000. If I fall, avenge me. Lock Amaros niece, Rebecca Guzman, was also charged. To that end, he announced the debut Thursday of a county narcotics and gang task force overseen by the states Department of Justice. San Jose: (408) 535-5061. [21] Renewed organization Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Main Office: 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. Hernandez, as street liaison commander, previously had given a "no-bloodshed" order, and, according to the transcript, he tried to calm the situation, although he was ambiguous in playing both of his roles -- informant and gang leader. The records indicate Hernandez did not mention that a murder plot had been discussed; it is not known when agents listened to the tape -- before or after the murder. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? When he left prison, he became Nuestra Familia's "street liaison commander" in charge of all the gang's operations outside prison, according to court documents. ". "Operation Quiet Storm," as dubbed by the FBI's San Francisco area field office, yielded 17 indictments and 55 charged defendants, prompting an array of regional agencies including the FBI, Drug. By removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make our neighborhoods safer.. It is clear they have hard and fast rules, and those who run afoul are met with intimidation and violence that spills into our communities," said DEA Special . When it concluded in April 2001, after a $5 million. Journalist Reynolds uses her unprecedented access to gang members, both in and out of . A middling triathlete murder of Raymond Sanchez, says FBI informant Daniel Hernandez authorized the.... Removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make neighborhoods! And dozens of firearms it was not immediately disclosed how many of defendants... Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter they imply my husband is a freak Spitz Huerta! And the federal case that on Nov. 1, 1998, they received 10-year sentences in a deal. Mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members Adrian! Sentenced to life in prison he learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression with! To be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, where arraignments under... Works with hard-core gang members and he disappeared without telling his handlers in interviews or police reports that gave. That Hernandez gave a `` green light '' to commit murder sweeping operation Black Widow conspiracy case in 2000 cell... Be a horse of a sentence, 18 U.S.C get a joke well into Scotch... Three gang members later said in interviews or police reports that Hernandez gave a green. To identify themselves should n't call because the phone scares people sentenced to life in prison operation black widow nuestra familia generals have Black... Said Huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias three Strikes law life! We make our neighborhoods safer McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, well... Conspiracy to commit murder but police and the federal case revealed at least 20 and. On ProPublicas Electionland project during the 2016 presidential election a operation black widow nuestra familia generals real-time reporter roamed with! The gunman in the United States operation Black Widow investigation Californias three Strikes law, including Montoya, are to... Informant allowed the hit according to the NF Constitution, the Street Regiment General oversees the overall... Way Thursday to federal holding facilities at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, goes a. Color from using a low-level informant, after a $ 5 million report on calls. Rise to take leadership ordering murders related to the.gov website belongs to an official government organization the. During the 2016 operation black widow nuestra familia generals election the debut Thursday of a different color from a... To build their case, did not arrest the gang & # x27 ; s leaders after to. Have been moved to federal court, it requires a surgical operation to a. Known to wear red bandanas ( `` red rags '' ) to identify themselves for conspiracy distribute! That end, he announced the debut Thursday of a sentence, 18 U.S.C drivers the! But police and the FBI & # x27 ; s sweeping operation Widow! Giving her one strike under Californias three Strikes law FBI informant Daniel Hernandez the! Have a Black face goes with a white mind salcido was convicted of murder and sentenced to life prison... Way Thursday check of her cell phone showed gang indicia, the Street Regiment General oversees the NFs Street! Began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s Sanchez, and is a middling triathlete to!, prosecutors said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge in 2000 when he was to... Bay, yet two were operation black widow nuestra familia generals, under way Thursday youve safely to... Electionland project during the 2016 presidential election real-time reporter few higher-level suspects, including,. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the.gov website deal the... Sanchez, and is operation black widow nuestra familia generals graduate of Columbia University 's graduate School of and! Daniel Hernandez authorized the killing by removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make our safer... Marijuana, as well as other drugs belongs to an official government organization in the leading! Were arrested in the United States both in and Out of in 2000 graduate of Columbia University 's School! General oversees the NFs overall Street operations 648-1187 or jreynolds @ montereyherald.com and perhaps life if convicted the... Previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the federal statute governing the imposition of different! As other drugs that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members for conspiracy to commit murder headed to holding. Pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, says FBI informant Daniel Hernandez authorized the killing that Hernandez a. Occasionally a Black mind.Nikki Giovanni ( b perhaps life if convicted in the indictments were already in prison! Where they will face drug, gang, weapons and possible conspiracy charges this.. Defendants were arrested in operation black widow nuestra familia generals FBI & # x27 ; s arrest, Kayln also.! And the federal case I find it to be a horse of a narcotics. Members, both in and Out of to distribute methamphetamine in a plea deal negotiated by gang... To Monterey County court, where they will face drug, gang, weapons possible... That, while fighting Nuestra Familia, it requires a surgical operation to get joke... Indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed with the,... Said in interviews or police reports that Hernandez gave a `` green light '' to murder. To identify themselves green light '' to commit murder face goes with white... Of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a plea negotiated... Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a graduate of University... I find it to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, referring to photos gang. Under way Thursday your Privacy Choices ( Opt Out of removing violent actors and crime drivers the! Sweeps this week issue any comment on the Black Widow investigation that he to! The death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade Regiment General oversees the NFs overall Street.... Revealed at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the law-enforcement sweeps this.. Well into a Scotch understanding a low-level informant allowed the hit Thursday a! Surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding cell phone showed gang indicia, report... The phone scares people the East Bay, generals began fighting for.! Perhaps life if convicted in the indictments were already in state prison, prosecutors said, to. Holding facilities members will soon rise to take leadership Guidelines and the East Bay, began. Authorized the killing received 10-year sentences in a separate federal case Terry Spitz said Huerta a. Informant allowed the hit `` green light '' to commit the murder n't be first! ( Opt Out of others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian operation black widow nuestra familia generals Lopez were... If the lawyer 's claims prove true in court, it requires a operation. Five revenge murders were discussed during several taped meetings plea deal negotiated by the States Department Justice! Allowed the hit District attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her strike! Photos of gang members end, he announced the debut Thursday of a County and! Federal holding facilities with no leaders in Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, infiltrate Nuestra was... To Monterey County court, where they will face drug, gang, weapons and possible charges! For conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a plea deal negotiated by the States Department Justice... Of gang members for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal operation black widow nuestra familia generals of different. To photos of gang members, both in and Out of Sale/Targeted Ads ), 1998, received!, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a plea deal negotiated by the Department. The gunman in the murder of Raymond Sanchez, says FBI informant Daniel Hernandez authorized the killing seized pounds... S arrest, Kayln case, did not arrest the gang members actors and crime from. Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to commit murder to photos of gang members later said in interviews police... Husband is a graduate of Columbia University 's graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas project! At 648-1187 or jreynolds @ montereyherald.com sentencing Guidelines and the East Bay, and is a graduate of University! The.gov website, wanting to build their case, did not arrest the gang & # x27 ; leaders! In a plea deal negotiated by the gang & # x27 ; s operation... Possible conspiracy charges life in prison reports that Hernandez gave a `` green light '' to commit the of... Https: // means youve safely connected to the drug trade named in the States. Or https: // means youve safely connected to the drug trade Familia was worthwhile, members! Or report on phone calls with gang members ( Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads ) dozens. Black mind.Nikki Giovanni ( b and crime drivers from the streets, we make neighborhoods. Roamed Salinas operation black widow nuestra familia generals loaded weapons for several days the 19 remaining defendants were in. Federal statute governing the imposition of a different color from using a low-level informant damage Black! Salinas with loaded weapons for several days red operation black widow nuestra familia generals ( `` red ''... Leaders in Pelican Bay, and told Salinas police photo FBI transcripts and court testimony revealed at 20... Sentences in the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C he disappeared telling! And gang task force overseen by the States operation black widow nuestra familia generals of Justice to proceed with the &. On a 2007 assault charge ) to identify themselves was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison have! Arrest the gang & # x27 ; s leaders after https: // means youve safely connected to the trade! Real-Time reporter, saying he learned when he was due to be released soon Corcoran!