January 27, 2010
Contact: SA Sarah Pullen
Public Information Officer
(213) 621-6827
DEA Targets Riverside Street Gang with Alleged Ties to Mexican Mafia“Operation Promise” Results in Federal Charges for 20 Members and Associates of Eastside Rivas
JAN 27 –RIVERSIDE, CA (JAN 27) – DEA and other law enforcement authorities announced the arrest of six defendants linked to a Riverside street gang that is alleged to act under the control of the Mexican Mafia and engage in the trafficking of methamphetamine. The six defendants are among 20 charged in three criminal complaints filed yesterday afternoon in United States District Court and unsealed this morning. Nine of the defendants charged in the federal cases are already in state custody, in some cases on related charges, and five of the defendants are currently being sought by authorities.
The federal criminal cases are part of a coordinated crackdown on the Eastside Rivas (ESR), a 20-year-old street gang with about 500 members that claims territory on the east side of the City of Riverside. The federal investigation, which started in November 2008, led to the criminal complaints that were unsealed today and allege numerous methamphetamine transactions, as well as tactics that ESR uses to maintain power and to cooperate with the Mexican Mafia, to which ESR pays monetary tribute referred to as “taxes” or “rent.”
“Our communities deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by violent drug gangs,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum. “Today’s arrests should significantly impact the violent drug related activity that has wreaked havoc throughout the eastside of Riverside. This effort, as part of Operation Promise, is a promise to our citizen’s of the continued commitment of law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels to keep our streets safe.”
Out of the three criminal complaints filed in federal court, two charge single defendants – one with drug trafficking, one with being a felon in possession of a firearm – and the third complaint charges 18 defendants. The main complaint outlines the structure, rules and activities of ESR, noting that:
ESR frequently engages in “cruising,” where ESR members arm themselves with an array of deadly weapons and travel in groups to rival gang territory to attack rival gangsters;
ESR rules require that members of the gang attack individuals who intentionally or inadvertently enter ESR territory, whether they are rival gang members, customers stores or restaurants, or simply traveling through ESR territory;
ESR members use MySpace.com to communicate about gang business, and they use rap music videos and recordings to deliver a messages of violence and intimidation;
ESR is hostile to the presence of African-Americans in ESR territory, even if they are not affiliated with a gang; and
ESR relies on the possession of firearms to defend and maintain its turf, to attack or defend themselves from rival gang members, and to create an atmosphere of fear in which victims and witnesses will be reluctant to testify against gang members out of fear of retaliation.
The investigation into ESR was conducted by special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, investigators with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the Riverside Police Department, and special agents with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
“Law enforcement at the local and federal levels have once again joined to disrupt a criminal organization responsible for igniting the violence which has a paralyzing effect on the law-abiding citizens of Riverside, and which devastates otherwise peaceful communities,” commented Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. “The crimes alleged in this case have serious consequences and, if convicted, ESR gang members will spend a good part of their lives behind bars.”
Those named in the main criminal complaint are:
Salvador Orozco Hernandez, Jr. (aka “Toro” and “Tio”), 45, of Bloomington, a Mexican Mafia member currently in state prison on attempted murder charges, who is accused of issuing directives to senior ESR members on topics including “tax” collections and drug distribution in ESR territory;
Robert Zavala Carrillo (aka “Pato”), 37, of Moreno Valley, accused of being the de facto leader of the ESR gang and the president of an ESR clique, who is a fugitive;
Christopher Nevarez (aka “Flako), 38, of Riverside, the alleged liason between the ESR and the Mexican Mafia, who is currently in state custody on a parole violation;
Ronnie Marquez (aka “Shadow”), 41, of Riverside, allegedly a senior member of ESR who is in custody awaiting trial on drug and weapons offense;
Ignacio Chavez (aka “Kartune”), 32, of Riverside, a senior member of ESR who is in custody awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder and drug trafficking;
Mark Gil (aka “Papa” and “Little G”), 35, of Moreno Valley, a senior member of ESR, who is a fugitive;
Andrew Pacheco Moreno (aka “Drew”), 37, of Fontana, who was arrested this morning;
Daniel Henry Padron (aka “Danny Boy” and “Sneaky”), 33, of Riverside, who is currently incarcerated after being convicted of drug trafficking;
Jose Arredondo (aka “Tony”), 40, of Hemet, who is currently incarcerated after being convicted of drug trafficking;
Johnny Gomez, 44, of Riverside, who was arrested this morning;
Nateno Moreno (aka “Shorty”), 32, of Riverside, who was arrested this morning;
Vanessa Garcia (aka “Pookie” and “Erica”), 22, of Riverside, who is in custody on a parole violation;
Allexxis Olonna Smith, 24, of Riverside, who is currently incarcerated after being convicted of carjacking;
Chris James Garcia (aka “Chuco”), 42, of Riverside, who was arrested this morning;
Rudy Tovar (aka “Dinky”), 30, of Riverside, who is currently incarcerated after being convicted on drug trafficking charges;
Paul Cortez (aka “Wiskers”), 22, of Riverside, who was arrested this morning;
Allan Patrick Staley (aka “Paya”), 37, of Riverside, who is a fugitive; and
Deanna Wagner, 33, of Riverside, who is a fugitive.
The other two defendants charged are: David Martinez, 37, who was arrested this morning after being charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and Ronnie Granado, 42, a fugitive, who is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“Federal law enforcement authorities have partnered with local enforcement to take gang members off the streets of communities across Southern California,” said Acting United States Attorney George S. Cardona. “As this action targeting Eastside Rivas demonstrates, we will continue to work with local authorities to go after the worst street gangs that traffic in narcotics and terrorize neighborhoods with their violence.”
The six defendants arrested today are expect to make their initial court appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside. As for the nine defendants currently in state custody, the United States Attorney’s Office expects to file writs to have them brought into federal custody.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted, each of the 19 defendants charged with narcotics violations face a maximum statutory sentence of life without parole in federal prison. If convicted of the weapons violation, Granado faces up to 10 years in prison.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
GANGS AND TERRORISM
GANGS AND TERRORISM
Gang members frequently spend time in jail or
prison. In this captive environment, their gang
affiliations may aggravate their situations. This is
particularly true for those who are incarcerated for
the first time. Involvement in a gang may afford an
inmate protection. But it also can make him
susceptible to attacks from rival gang members.
A prison environment also provides the
atmosphere for terrorism recruitment. Antigovernment
extremists from both domestic and
international groups as well as racial and religious hate groups proselytize to inmates
inside correctional facilities. The same psychological characteristics that contributed to someone’s initial involvement in
a street gang may be exploited by recruiters
for hate groups and other extremist organizations behind prison walls.
The collusion between street gangs and state-sponsored terrorism was illustrated in the 1980s during the investigation into
Chicago’s El Rukn gang and representatives of the government of Libya. Several ranking El Rukns were imprisoned for weapons
violations and conspiring to commit violent acts in the United States on behalf of representatives of the Libyan government.
As the prison population rises, so do opportunities for extremists to recruit inmates to organizations that engage in terrorism
to accomplish their ideological goals.
Source: Will County IL State's Attorney Office
Gang members frequently spend time in jail or
prison. In this captive environment, their gang
affiliations may aggravate their situations. This is
particularly true for those who are incarcerated for
the first time. Involvement in a gang may afford an
inmate protection. But it also can make him
susceptible to attacks from rival gang members.
A prison environment also provides the
atmosphere for terrorism recruitment. Antigovernment
extremists from both domestic and
international groups as well as racial and religious hate groups proselytize to inmates
inside correctional facilities. The same psychological characteristics that contributed to someone’s initial involvement in
a street gang may be exploited by recruiters
for hate groups and other extremist organizations behind prison walls.
The collusion between street gangs and state-sponsored terrorism was illustrated in the 1980s during the investigation into
Chicago’s El Rukn gang and representatives of the government of Libya. Several ranking El Rukns were imprisoned for weapons
violations and conspiring to commit violent acts in the United States on behalf of representatives of the Libyan government.
As the prison population rises, so do opportunities for extremists to recruit inmates to organizations that engage in terrorism
to accomplish their ideological goals.
Source: Will County IL State's Attorney Office
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Fluffy Bunny Crew" One of Three Street Gangs Busted by DPS
By James King in Crime BlotterFri., Dec. 11 2009 @ 2:37PM
Department of Public Safety - Phoenix, AZ
In the past, criminal street gangs have used names that strike fear in the hearts of their rivals. The Bloods, the Crips, the Jets, the Sharks -- all have an intimidating connotation.
As for Scottsdale's latest group of thugs -- busted today as part of the Department of Public Safety's "Operation Triple Threat"-- not so much.
The "Fluffy Bunny Crew" is one of three criminal street gangs busted as part of the DPS' latest gangster roundup, but don't let the wimpy name fool you -- according to DPS officials, these are some pretty bad dudes.
DPS spokesman Steve Harrison tells New Times the gang is called the "Fluffy Bunnies" so that after they beat the crap out of somebody and that person has to tell their friends they got their asses kicked by a couple of "fluffy bunnies."
Gang assaults and home invasions aside -- at least these guys have a sense of humor.
The "Fluffy Bunnies" were part of a larger organization made up of what DPS officials are calling "party crews" coming out of Valley high schools.
Harrison says three "party crews," which came out of Sandra Day O'Connor, Cactus Shadow, and North Canyon high schools, progressed from three groups of party-crashers into a single, organized street-gang -- responsible for drug-dealing, home invasions, and robbery.
Harrison says the three "party crews" began as rivals but came together under the auspices of white supremacy. He says the gang isn't technically considered a white-supremacist organization but that white supremest ideals are what brought the three crews together.
DPS has been watching the gang for more than a year and has seen it go from committing smaller crimes, like serving booze to minors, to more serious offenses, like armed-robbery, kidnapping, and countless assaults.
Harrison says gang members are involved in dealing drugs and have been busted with guns, including an assault rifle and a sawed-off shotgun.
Over the past two days, DPS officers, in collaboration with several other law-enforcement agencies, have taken 22 gang members into custody and have warrants for three additional suspects.
Search warrants have uncovered the recovery of stolen property, 1,017 tablets of Soma, 200 tablets of Xanax, 90 tablets of Valium, and 70 Neo-Pircodan, as well as a collection of weapons and body armor.
Along with the "Fluffy Bunnies," members of the "Dirty White Boyz" were also busted in the sweep.
With pussy names like these, they might as well start a boy band.
Department of Public Safety - Phoenix, AZ
In the past, criminal street gangs have used names that strike fear in the hearts of their rivals. The Bloods, the Crips, the Jets, the Sharks -- all have an intimidating connotation.
As for Scottsdale's latest group of thugs -- busted today as part of the Department of Public Safety's "Operation Triple Threat"-- not so much.
The "Fluffy Bunny Crew" is one of three criminal street gangs busted as part of the DPS' latest gangster roundup, but don't let the wimpy name fool you -- according to DPS officials, these are some pretty bad dudes.
DPS spokesman Steve Harrison tells New Times the gang is called the "Fluffy Bunnies" so that after they beat the crap out of somebody and that person has to tell their friends they got their asses kicked by a couple of "fluffy bunnies."
Gang assaults and home invasions aside -- at least these guys have a sense of humor.
The "Fluffy Bunnies" were part of a larger organization made up of what DPS officials are calling "party crews" coming out of Valley high schools.
Harrison says three "party crews," which came out of Sandra Day O'Connor, Cactus Shadow, and North Canyon high schools, progressed from three groups of party-crashers into a single, organized street-gang -- responsible for drug-dealing, home invasions, and robbery.
Harrison says the three "party crews" began as rivals but came together under the auspices of white supremacy. He says the gang isn't technically considered a white-supremacist organization but that white supremest ideals are what brought the three crews together.
DPS has been watching the gang for more than a year and has seen it go from committing smaller crimes, like serving booze to minors, to more serious offenses, like armed-robbery, kidnapping, and countless assaults.
Harrison says gang members are involved in dealing drugs and have been busted with guns, including an assault rifle and a sawed-off shotgun.
Over the past two days, DPS officers, in collaboration with several other law-enforcement agencies, have taken 22 gang members into custody and have warrants for three additional suspects.
Search warrants have uncovered the recovery of stolen property, 1,017 tablets of Soma, 200 tablets of Xanax, 90 tablets of Valium, and 70 Neo-Pircodan, as well as a collection of weapons and body armor.
Along with the "Fluffy Bunnies," members of the "Dirty White Boyz" were also busted in the sweep.
With pussy names like these, they might as well start a boy band.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
GANGS STAKING OUT NEW TURF ON THE WEB
Los Angeles Daily News
Published: Sunday, December 6, 2009 12:22 AM EST
BY TONY CASTRO,
For a while now, the Barrio Van Nuys street gang has been claiming a version of the New York Yankees' interlocked NY logo as its own.
By trimming the tail off the `Y,' the famous Major League Baseball trademark is turned into an interwoven VN, standing for Van Nuys. The gang is touting its Yankee-esque symbol on social networking Web sites and YouTube.
It's just one example of what law enforcement says is an increasing trend among gangs to use cyberspace to broaden their appeal, boast of illegal exploits, pose threats and recruit new members.
And more than ever, prosecutors are scouring sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter for potential evidence in gang-related criminal cases.
``Five years ago we would find evidence in a gang case on the Internet and say, `Wow.' Well, there's no more `Wow' any more. Sadly, it's much more routine,'' said Bruce Riordan, director of anti-gang operations for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.
Cyberbanging, as authorities call it, can provide prosecutors with the proof they need in criminal cases to demonstrate affiliation in a street gang — something typically denied by defendants at trial.
``When the gang member has basically put his or her admission of gang membership up on the Internet, it can not only help prosecutors prove a case, it can also help us disprove a false defense,'' Riordan said.
George W. Knox, director of the National Gang Crime Research Center, said, however, that proving gang affiliation through cyberspace can be an arduous task. That is one reason he trains law enforcement officials how to cull intelligence on gang membership, rivalries, territory and lingo from their Internet posts.
``Gangs are going to use any form of communication they can, including Twitter, including Facebook,'' Knox said.
``We don't have any laws that prohibit them from doing this, and I don't think we're ready to bar them from the Internet.''
Attempts to contact numerous San Fernando Valley gang members for comment via e-mails through networking sites they use were unsuccessful.
Los Angeles gang expert Alex Alonso said gang members are using social networking sites more than before, but not necessarily to further criminal enterprises.
``From my extensive experience, they use the Internet like any other person does — they're just representing their neighborhoods and not trying to recruit,'' Alonso said.
But law enforcement officials and youth counselors insist that young people who visit social networking sites to download music and pictures glorifying criminal street gangs can unwittingly set themselves up to be recruited by gangs.
Impressionable young people, say authorities, can sometimes be influenced by the secret handshakes, clothing and slang of gang cultures that are commonly found on Web sites created by or heavily used by gangs.
And it's not just MySpace, Facebook and Twitter that parents should be concerned about, warned Douglas Semark, executive director of the Gang Alternatives Program, in San Pedro.
``You can go into special areas of AOL, special areas of Yahoo or special areas of some of the other large Internet presences where (gang members) will go in and they'll target specific topics and specific groups,'' Semark said. ``And kids may be in those areas with their parents' blessing because the parents think they're safe.
``And someone who is looking to victimize a specific individual will track them to those places and create false identities and false accounts.''
Two of the Valley's fiercest gangs — Barrio Van Nuys and Canoga Park Alabama — have also used social networking sites to get around court injunctions secured by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office that forbid members from meeting in public, law enforcement officials say.
For many Valley gangs, My-Space — though pass0x233 in the era of Twitter and Facebook — appears to be the Internet social network of choice to glorify their lifestyle. Alonso said he believes gangs prefer My-Space because it is easier to search for and find other gang members on the site than others.
Representatives for MySpace and other popular social networking sites, which have come under criticism for their availability to gangs, did not return calls.
On MySpace, the 818 Gangland Musik Page offers free-streaming MP3s and song downloads that authorities say attract young Web surfers.
Among photographs posted by gang members are pictures of assault weapons and bulletproof vests over a white T-shirt with the impression ``Pacoima 818'' and of San Fernando gangbangers wearing San Francisco Giants garb with the famous interlocked SF logo of that team, which they have adopted as their own.
Representatives of the Giants and the Yankees said logos and trademark issues are handled by Major League Baseball Inc., and that they have alerted officials at the league.
A Yankees spokeswoman said that organization is especially concerned about seeing gang Web sites showing the lookalike NY trademark with guns sticking out of the logo.
Given the anonymous nature of the Internet, though, authorities say it is almost impossible to determine whether a posting has come from actual gang members or wannabes.
Law enforcement officials say gangs' use of the Internet has forced authorities to become skilled at reading between the lines of gang postings, looking for clues and hidden meanings of words and symbols.
``To understand any subculture — al-Qaida, cults, devil worshippers or gangs — you have to be able to know their own language and what they are saying,'' said Knox of the National Gang Crime Research Center. ``It takes time to study gang (Web) sites and blogs and pick up on subtle word choices, but that's important.
``These are holy words to these gangs.''
Copyright © 2009 - Indiana Gazette
Published: Sunday, December 6, 2009 12:22 AM EST
BY TONY CASTRO,
For a while now, the Barrio Van Nuys street gang has been claiming a version of the New York Yankees' interlocked NY logo as its own.
By trimming the tail off the `Y,' the famous Major League Baseball trademark is turned into an interwoven VN, standing for Van Nuys. The gang is touting its Yankee-esque symbol on social networking Web sites and YouTube.
It's just one example of what law enforcement says is an increasing trend among gangs to use cyberspace to broaden their appeal, boast of illegal exploits, pose threats and recruit new members.
And more than ever, prosecutors are scouring sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter for potential evidence in gang-related criminal cases.
``Five years ago we would find evidence in a gang case on the Internet and say, `Wow.' Well, there's no more `Wow' any more. Sadly, it's much more routine,'' said Bruce Riordan, director of anti-gang operations for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.
Cyberbanging, as authorities call it, can provide prosecutors with the proof they need in criminal cases to demonstrate affiliation in a street gang — something typically denied by defendants at trial.
``When the gang member has basically put his or her admission of gang membership up on the Internet, it can not only help prosecutors prove a case, it can also help us disprove a false defense,'' Riordan said.
George W. Knox, director of the National Gang Crime Research Center, said, however, that proving gang affiliation through cyberspace can be an arduous task. That is one reason he trains law enforcement officials how to cull intelligence on gang membership, rivalries, territory and lingo from their Internet posts.
``Gangs are going to use any form of communication they can, including Twitter, including Facebook,'' Knox said.
``We don't have any laws that prohibit them from doing this, and I don't think we're ready to bar them from the Internet.''
Attempts to contact numerous San Fernando Valley gang members for comment via e-mails through networking sites they use were unsuccessful.
Los Angeles gang expert Alex Alonso said gang members are using social networking sites more than before, but not necessarily to further criminal enterprises.
``From my extensive experience, they use the Internet like any other person does — they're just representing their neighborhoods and not trying to recruit,'' Alonso said.
But law enforcement officials and youth counselors insist that young people who visit social networking sites to download music and pictures glorifying criminal street gangs can unwittingly set themselves up to be recruited by gangs.
Impressionable young people, say authorities, can sometimes be influenced by the secret handshakes, clothing and slang of gang cultures that are commonly found on Web sites created by or heavily used by gangs.
And it's not just MySpace, Facebook and Twitter that parents should be concerned about, warned Douglas Semark, executive director of the Gang Alternatives Program, in San Pedro.
``You can go into special areas of AOL, special areas of Yahoo or special areas of some of the other large Internet presences where (gang members) will go in and they'll target specific topics and specific groups,'' Semark said. ``And kids may be in those areas with their parents' blessing because the parents think they're safe.
``And someone who is looking to victimize a specific individual will track them to those places and create false identities and false accounts.''
Two of the Valley's fiercest gangs — Barrio Van Nuys and Canoga Park Alabama — have also used social networking sites to get around court injunctions secured by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office that forbid members from meeting in public, law enforcement officials say.
For many Valley gangs, My-Space — though pass0x233 in the era of Twitter and Facebook — appears to be the Internet social network of choice to glorify their lifestyle. Alonso said he believes gangs prefer My-Space because it is easier to search for and find other gang members on the site than others.
Representatives for MySpace and other popular social networking sites, which have come under criticism for their availability to gangs, did not return calls.
On MySpace, the 818 Gangland Musik Page offers free-streaming MP3s and song downloads that authorities say attract young Web surfers.
Among photographs posted by gang members are pictures of assault weapons and bulletproof vests over a white T-shirt with the impression ``Pacoima 818'' and of San Fernando gangbangers wearing San Francisco Giants garb with the famous interlocked SF logo of that team, which they have adopted as their own.
Representatives of the Giants and the Yankees said logos and trademark issues are handled by Major League Baseball Inc., and that they have alerted officials at the league.
A Yankees spokeswoman said that organization is especially concerned about seeing gang Web sites showing the lookalike NY trademark with guns sticking out of the logo.
Given the anonymous nature of the Internet, though, authorities say it is almost impossible to determine whether a posting has come from actual gang members or wannabes.
Law enforcement officials say gangs' use of the Internet has forced authorities to become skilled at reading between the lines of gang postings, looking for clues and hidden meanings of words and symbols.
``To understand any subculture — al-Qaida, cults, devil worshippers or gangs — you have to be able to know their own language and what they are saying,'' said Knox of the National Gang Crime Research Center. ``It takes time to study gang (Web) sites and blogs and pick up on subtle word choices, but that's important.
``These are holy words to these gangs.''
Copyright © 2009 - Indiana Gazette
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Gang gun law: New statute mandates prison for gang members caught with loaded weapons
Chicago authorities praise law as key tool to battle street crime
By John Byrne
Tribune Reporter
December 4, 2009
Gang members caught with loaded guns would face mandatory prison time under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Pat Quinn and hailed by Chicago authorities as a unique tool for fighting street crime.
The statute sets a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 10 years behind bars for unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member; under previous law such an offense was punishable by probation. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, who pushed for the measure, said she believes it is the first state law to include gang membership as an element of the criminal offense.
At a news conference with Quinn and Mayor Richard Daley, Alvarez predicted the law will withstand any legal challenges alleging it unfairly targets a particular group of people.
"There could be a challenge to anything. We can't predict that. But we feel confident," Alvarez said.
Daley likened the law to federal criminal statutes targeting organized crime.
Family members of slain Chicago police Officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez were also on hand at the Englewood District police station. His June 1 death in a drive-by shooting was cited as giving the measure momentum.
Three people have been charged in Valadez's death. One is a gang member who was on probation for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon at the time of the shooting, the state's attorney's office said. He would have been in jail if the new law were in effect, the office said.
The statute defines a gang as any group of at least three people with a hierarchy that engages in a pattern of criminal activity. The law specifies it is not necessary for prosecutors to show the criminal group has a name, insignias, colors, territory or other symbolism commonly linked with street gangs in order to apply the law to members.
"If they're on a corner throwing up a gang sign or wearing the colors, it's pretty self-evident," Alvarez said. "There's a lot of self-admittance on the police reports themselves, tattoos, prior history. There's a lot that comes into play to support the fact that they are members of a gang."
Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the group is not taking a position on the legislation because the definition of "gang" in the statute has withstood court challenges in DuPage County, where prosecutors used the same definition in several civil lawsuits against gangs there.
jebyrne@tribune.com
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
By John Byrne
Tribune Reporter
December 4, 2009
Gang members caught with loaded guns would face mandatory prison time under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Pat Quinn and hailed by Chicago authorities as a unique tool for fighting street crime.
The statute sets a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 10 years behind bars for unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member; under previous law such an offense was punishable by probation. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, who pushed for the measure, said she believes it is the first state law to include gang membership as an element of the criminal offense.
At a news conference with Quinn and Mayor Richard Daley, Alvarez predicted the law will withstand any legal challenges alleging it unfairly targets a particular group of people.
"There could be a challenge to anything. We can't predict that. But we feel confident," Alvarez said.
Daley likened the law to federal criminal statutes targeting organized crime.
Family members of slain Chicago police Officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez were also on hand at the Englewood District police station. His June 1 death in a drive-by shooting was cited as giving the measure momentum.
Three people have been charged in Valadez's death. One is a gang member who was on probation for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon at the time of the shooting, the state's attorney's office said. He would have been in jail if the new law were in effect, the office said.
The statute defines a gang as any group of at least three people with a hierarchy that engages in a pattern of criminal activity. The law specifies it is not necessary for prosecutors to show the criminal group has a name, insignias, colors, territory or other symbolism commonly linked with street gangs in order to apply the law to members.
"If they're on a corner throwing up a gang sign or wearing the colors, it's pretty self-evident," Alvarez said. "There's a lot of self-admittance on the police reports themselves, tattoos, prior history. There's a lot that comes into play to support the fact that they are members of a gang."
Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said the group is not taking a position on the legislation because the definition of "gang" in the statute has withstood court challenges in DuPage County, where prosecutors used the same definition in several civil lawsuits against gangs there.
jebyrne@tribune.com
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Authorities: Minn. dad hit son over shirt color
Posted on Sat, Aug. 29, 2009
The Associated Press
A Minnesota man is accused of ripping off his 4-year-old son's shirt and hitting him for wearing a rival gang's color.
Thirty-year-old Kenny T. Jackson of St. Paul is charged with malicious punishment of a child.
According to the criminal complaint, a man who said he was Jackson's stepfather called 911 on Tuesday to say Jackson was yelling and throwing things in the house. The caller said Jackson was angry because he is reportedly a member of the Bloods gang and the boy's blue shirt was the color of a rival gang.
Police say they found the boy shirtless, scratched and crying.
The complaint says Jackson denied the allegations.
It was not clear Saturday if Jackson had an attorney, and a number for him could not be found.
Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
The Associated Press
A Minnesota man is accused of ripping off his 4-year-old son's shirt and hitting him for wearing a rival gang's color.
Thirty-year-old Kenny T. Jackson of St. Paul is charged with malicious punishment of a child.
According to the criminal complaint, a man who said he was Jackson's stepfather called 911 on Tuesday to say Jackson was yelling and throwing things in the house. The caller said Jackson was angry because he is reportedly a member of the Bloods gang and the boy's blue shirt was the color of a rival gang.
Police say they found the boy shirtless, scratched and crying.
The complaint says Jackson denied the allegations.
It was not clear Saturday if Jackson had an attorney, and a number for him could not be found.
Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
Bigger plans help some youngsters avoid local gangs
By Angela Mack,
Staff Writer
Star News Online
Wilmington, NC
Darius Green used to dream about joining a gang.
Mesmerized by music videos glamorizing robberies, drugs and violence, the then 8-year-old became fascinated with one day claiming membership himself.
The sight of drug dealers with wads of cash and flashy rides around his east Wilmington neighborhood only fueled the infatuation.
That was six years ago. Now 14, Darius has decided the gang lifestyle isn't for him.
"I don't see the point in them," Darius said. "If you not trying to get in trouble, why be in a gang?"
Overcoming the temptation, however, can be tough for many inner-city kids and those living in rural areas where trouble is often the most attractive after-school activity available. But whether they associate with gang members, know who they are or have yet to come in contact with one, most students agree that gangs are a path to destruction.
"I know a lot of people in gangs," Darius said, adding that Crips and Bloods are the most popular groups around Wilmington.
For Darius, becoming a gang member is not an option. He has five younger brothers and a younger sister who look up to him.
But more than a year ago, his mom enrolled him into the New Hanover County Juvenile Day Treatment Center after he began getting in trouble at school for skipping eighth-grade science and social studies classes at Noble Middle School.
Now the prospect of graduation, girls and sports motivate the 5-foot-8-inch teen to make it to high school this fall and stay enrolled. Daydreams of becoming a gang member have been replaced with goals of catching passes and making touchdowns in the NFL.
Fifteen-year-old Derek Reese, a freshman at North Brunswick High School in Leland, also has aspirations to become a star athlete.
The Brunswick County native wants to play in the NBA, and he practices by playing center and forward on the school's junior varsity basketball squad.
"I think I have a bright future ahead of me," Derek said. "Why mess that up?"
Still, he doesn't hesitate to say he knows gang members walk the halls of his school.
"You see the flags and the signs being thrown up," he said.
Bloods and Folks are the two gangs represented at North Brunswick by boys and girls, some of whom recently moved to the school from Wilmington's Northside, Eastside and the Bottom neighborhoods, Derek said. In science class, he said, discussions among students often turns to the weekend's gang member initiations.
"It sort of gets kids off topic," he said. "They're just talking out loud about it. Teachers listen to it. They try to figure out what's going on to tell other teachers."
Student leaders at Trask High School in Rocky Point don't believe the school has any true gang members.
"People say that there's gangs here, but I really don't see it," said senior Foster Lee, 17, president of the school's student advisory council.
Miranda Cloninger, 18, also a Trask senior, said she'd be "very stunned" to be approached by a gang member at school and probably wouldn't know how to respond.
"I don't know if it's for real," she said, adding that those claiming gang affiliation at the school are probably imitators. "I don't think they're real."
Jamell Culler, a 16-year-old sophomore at North Brunswick High School, believes his involvement in the school's Student Government Association and status as sophomore class president shield him from gang threats. But the knowledge that gangs are close does make him think.
"I'm just like, 'Why?'●" he says he often asks himself. "What's the benefit of being involved in gang activity?"
Jamell and Derek say they see no advantage to joining a gang.
"He would never be in a gang. He's mentally tough," Culler said of Derek as the two sat together at a table.
Derek pointed at Jamell with a boyish grin, saying confidently, "He could be the first black president."
Angela Mack: 343-2009
angie.mack@starnewsonline.com
Staff Writer
Star News Online
Wilmington, NC
Darius Green used to dream about joining a gang.
Mesmerized by music videos glamorizing robberies, drugs and violence, the then 8-year-old became fascinated with one day claiming membership himself.
The sight of drug dealers with wads of cash and flashy rides around his east Wilmington neighborhood only fueled the infatuation.
That was six years ago. Now 14, Darius has decided the gang lifestyle isn't for him.
"I don't see the point in them," Darius said. "If you not trying to get in trouble, why be in a gang?"
Overcoming the temptation, however, can be tough for many inner-city kids and those living in rural areas where trouble is often the most attractive after-school activity available. But whether they associate with gang members, know who they are or have yet to come in contact with one, most students agree that gangs are a path to destruction.
"I know a lot of people in gangs," Darius said, adding that Crips and Bloods are the most popular groups around Wilmington.
For Darius, becoming a gang member is not an option. He has five younger brothers and a younger sister who look up to him.
But more than a year ago, his mom enrolled him into the New Hanover County Juvenile Day Treatment Center after he began getting in trouble at school for skipping eighth-grade science and social studies classes at Noble Middle School.
Now the prospect of graduation, girls and sports motivate the 5-foot-8-inch teen to make it to high school this fall and stay enrolled. Daydreams of becoming a gang member have been replaced with goals of catching passes and making touchdowns in the NFL.
Fifteen-year-old Derek Reese, a freshman at North Brunswick High School in Leland, also has aspirations to become a star athlete.
The Brunswick County native wants to play in the NBA, and he practices by playing center and forward on the school's junior varsity basketball squad.
"I think I have a bright future ahead of me," Derek said. "Why mess that up?"
Still, he doesn't hesitate to say he knows gang members walk the halls of his school.
"You see the flags and the signs being thrown up," he said.
Bloods and Folks are the two gangs represented at North Brunswick by boys and girls, some of whom recently moved to the school from Wilmington's Northside, Eastside and the Bottom neighborhoods, Derek said. In science class, he said, discussions among students often turns to the weekend's gang member initiations.
"It sort of gets kids off topic," he said. "They're just talking out loud about it. Teachers listen to it. They try to figure out what's going on to tell other teachers."
Student leaders at Trask High School in Rocky Point don't believe the school has any true gang members.
"People say that there's gangs here, but I really don't see it," said senior Foster Lee, 17, president of the school's student advisory council.
Miranda Cloninger, 18, also a Trask senior, said she'd be "very stunned" to be approached by a gang member at school and probably wouldn't know how to respond.
"I don't know if it's for real," she said, adding that those claiming gang affiliation at the school are probably imitators. "I don't think they're real."
Jamell Culler, a 16-year-old sophomore at North Brunswick High School, believes his involvement in the school's Student Government Association and status as sophomore class president shield him from gang threats. But the knowledge that gangs are close does make him think.
"I'm just like, 'Why?'●" he says he often asks himself. "What's the benefit of being involved in gang activity?"
Jamell and Derek say they see no advantage to joining a gang.
"He would never be in a gang. He's mentally tough," Culler said of Derek as the two sat together at a table.
Derek pointed at Jamell with a boyish grin, saying confidently, "He could be the first black president."
Angela Mack: 343-2009
angie.mack@starnewsonline.com
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