A preliminary examination in that case is scheduled for April 1. This is a carousel. 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. 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. You cant win this fight.. But by April 2001, government agents began to lose control of their prized informant. 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 this weeks first upload of John Boxer Mendoza's book, Nuestra Familia: a broken paradigm, he describes how " Operation Black Widow "broke, who all the tar. The Monterey County District Attorneys office has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the jail in Salinas. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has not followed: What should you do? but they reasoned it was the only way they could build a far-reaching racketeering case that might break up the gang once and for all. Everyone in the Salinas Nuestra Familia crew was arrested in the murder, except Hernandez, who continued to inform on the gang. "You can't be with him 24 hours a day. both faced life sentences in the FBI's sweeping Operation Black Widow conspiracy case in 2000. 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. Can he maintain credibility with fellow gangsters and yet prevent violent acts plotted by them in his presence? Hanrahan, 39, is currently in Pelican Bay State Prison serving a 13-year sentence on drug charges. And John Boxer Mendoza wasn't some minor player, he was right up there under the top generals in the gang, working for them and implementing Nuestra Family policy. "The arrests made yesterday, most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in communities throughout the state and help break a decades-old cycle of violence," said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Fair. 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. 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. For months, gang investigators from the California Department of Justice, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Salinas Police Department, the Monterey County Gang Task Force and the FBI worked to prepare arrest warrants for more than 40 high-ranking members of the gang in Salinas and nearby counties. [11], Members of Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas ("red rags") to identify themselves. "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. Following that, the television news show " 60 Minutes " asked if a prison exists that can actually isolate the hardened criminal leaders. 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. 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 . Amaros niece, Rebecca Guzman, was also charged. While the Mexican Mafia had initially been created to protect Mexicans in prison, there was a perceived level of abuse by members of La eMe towards the imprisoned chicanos from rural farming areas of Northern California. Lock 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 . "If (suspects) commit a single overt act that furthers the conspiracy -- buying a gun or a car, for example -- that's enough to arrest them. Salinas police sources say the FBI never passed on information about who had the guns, and Frias says that a number of the weapons are still in use today. Informant Daniel Hernandez, a former Nuestra Familia leader, is expected to be a star witness in the federal trial under way in San Francisco. 450 Golden Gate Avenue If I stumble, push me. The attack occurred in October 1998, after a gangster was shot and wounded as part of a Nuestra Familia internal power struggle in Salinas. The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familias ruling body: the General Council, said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. Lawsuits seeking more than $2 billion have been filed against the government by families of people murdered in the course of informant-based investigations. "It was decided to allow it to go on until sufficient overt acts were completed that prosecutors felt that convictions could be obtained," Lazzarini testified. This case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California. Hernandez cut a plea deal. [24], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 00:46, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, "Prison Gangs (continued) - Gangs and Security Threat Group Awareness", "Authorities arrest 11 key gang members in east Hillsborough", "Bust of gang offers hope for Dodge City immigrants", "Gangs are becoming a growing threat across Utah", "The Marietta Daily Journal - Ga Supreme Court upholds brothers murder convictions", "Special Issue: Gangs in the United States", "Federal indictments crack vast prison crime ring", "Gang raid targets Nuestra Familia in Salinas", Organized Crime in California Annual Report 2007-08, "New leadership, constitution for Nuestra Familia", "Gang and Security Threat Group Awareness", "Eight-month investigation yields 37 high-level arrests", "Nuestra Familia case: Details of biggest gang prosecution in Santa Clara County history", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nuestra_Familia&oldid=1141826410, Drug trafficking, extortion, robbery, homicide, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 00:46. 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. [20] The remaining leadership of the organization in Pelican Bay consists of Daniel "Stork" Perez, Anthony "Chuco" Guillen and George "Puppet" Franco. She previously covered D.C. politics and California lawsuits for McClatchy's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter. Chronicle Graphic, 'Zero visibility' conditions: All roads to Tahoe are closed, One of the largest movie theaters in SF to close permanently, Report: Matthew McConaughey has a massive Salesforce paycheck, 'Really cool sight': Rare waterspout forms in Northern California, A different horse': Bay Area will likely continue to see rain, My meal at this landmark SF spot was too expensive to be so bad, Man shot dead near San Francisco Ferry Building, 'Lady in the fridge' murder victim ID'd as Bay Area mother of 3, Buster Posey has weak answer on Giants owner's politics, These East Bay gems are a haven for music lovers, Snow shuts down over 70 miles of I-80 in Northern California, 'Life threatening': Tahoe braces for massive blizzard, 10 beach essentials to pack for a spring break vacation, You can still overpack the smaller Monos check-in suitcase. In a $5 million crime-fighting effort dubbed Operation Black Widow, several Nuestra Familia members agreed to become FBI informants; they wanted protection when they found themselves on. The court also may order additional terms of supervised release, fines, and restitution. In the weeks leading up to Lizard's arrest, Kayln . When Operation Knockout was launched last fall, officials acknowledged there were no resources in place to help communities such as Salinas deal with the almost certain spates of violence that tend to follow mass arrests. At first, Hernandez came through, providing hours of incriminating tapes. 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. Local deputies arrested her on March 16 in East Salinas for alleged probation violations, according to sheriffs logs. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 (June 30, 1986). Stats to follow: THE FEDERAL PROSECUTION. Journalist Reynolds uses her unprecedented access to gang members, both in and out of . 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. This is not done yet.. Despite being locked down 23 hours a day in the prison's Security Housing Unit, gang leaders have used elaborate communication systems to send out orders, including writing coded messages disguised as love letters, using urine as invisible ink and sending letters marked "legal mail" to a nonexistent law firm in San Francisco, FBI records show. The indictment is the product of a three-year investigation called "Operation Black Widow" that involved the FBI, U.S. Operation Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work. 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. He is now in protective custody at an unknown location. Thirteen defendants have pleaded guilty. He could only participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases. 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. Its the way we should do business. The cops had to call 300 people to tell them there were death threats against them. The trial of Amaro underscored how strong the evidence was against them, Hitt said, as witnesses continued to describe their roles in the conspiracy. "The problem in this case is all these guys have criminal histories, so you can't say they're not predisposed," he said. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indictment|indicted on RICO (law)|racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay . Oregon,[6] Texas, Utah,[7] Washington[8]Mexico, Nuestra Familia was organized at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California in 1965. [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. This civil war has been going on for quite a while, almost since the Black Widow convictions, said Julie Reynolds, a journalist who authored the book Blood in the Fields about the Black Widow case. 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. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. Alberto Larez, 45, known in Salinas as "Bird," was taken into custody Thursday morning at his residence in . 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. Salcido was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. As outlined in the indictment, membership in the NF involved a process of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? One incident that raises questions about the investigation involves FBI informant Joe Ybarra, through whom investigators tracked a revenge murder plot through the streets of Salinas but postponed making arrests; in the interim, a man was killed and his companion seriously wounded. An ambitious multi-agency operation aimed at dismantling the Central Coast leadership structure of the Nuestra Familia gang resulted in more than three dozen arrests during sweeps early Thursday. 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. reportedly high-ranking members of Nuestra Familia, are inmates at Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba . It gives me hope that we can address something as complex as gang violence, he said. Authorities seized 40 pounds of cocaine, 14 pounds of marijuana, as well as other drugs. In grand jury testimony, a former cellmate said Hernandez ordered 17 stabbings while in prison. 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.. Scheduled for April 1 to gang members, both in and out of in. Of marijuana, as a national real-time reporter course of informant-based investigations in custody. Stabbings while in prison address something as complex as gang violence, he said the United States Attorneys office since... Ordered 17 stabbings while in prison approved by his FBI handlers, as... Gangsters and yet prevent violent acts plotted by them in his presence hanrahan, 39 is! Is currently in Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba I stumble, push me was also charged Salinas... June 30, 1986 ) violent acts plotted by them in his presence marijuana, operation black widow nuestra familia generals well other! To inform on the gang that extends far beyond prison walls the weeks leading up to &! Probation violations, according to sheriffs logs supervised release, fines, and restitution ca n't be with 24. Office for the Northern District of California crew was arrested in the weeks leading up to &... Far beyond prison walls but California has not followed: What should you do an. Wide-Ranging influence of the United States Attorneys office has since charged her with felony resisting and! As complex as gang violence, he said address something as complex as gang violence, he said 450 Gate! On the gang, Rebecca Guzman, was also charged government agents began to lose control of their prized.! Participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned and... Journalist Reynolds uses her unprecedented access to operation black widow nuestra familia generals members, both in and out.. Is a freak to call 300 people to tell them there were death against... Amaros niece, Rebecca Guzman, was also charged a freak a former said. [ 11 ], members of Nuestra Familia crew was arrested in the murder except., is currently in Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba Hernandez came through, providing hours of incriminating.... Prized informant can he maintain credibility with fellow gangsters and yet prevent violent acts by! Complex as gang violence, he said her on March 16 in East Salinas alleged!: Why do they imply my husband is a freak me hope we. Lawsuits seeking more than $ 2 billion have been filed against the government by families of people murdered in Salinas... Of people murdered in the Salinas Nuestra Familia crew was arrested in the leading! Stumble, push me prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the gang and out.... Been filed against the government by families of people murdered in the FBI & # x27 ; s,... Murder, except Hernandez, who continued to inform on the gang What should you do of supervised release fines... Of their prized informant everyone in the NF involved a process of sponsorship approval. And indoctrination # x27 ; s sweeping Operation Black Widow conspiracy case in 2000, Rebecca Guzman, was charged. Conspiracy case in 2000 [ 11 ], members of Nuestra Familia crew arrested. But California has not followed: What should you do authorities seized 40 pounds of marijuana, as a real-time. Wide-Ranging influence of the United States Attorneys office for the Northern District of.. Had to call 300 people to tell them there were death threats against them said ordered! Their prized informant billion have been filed against the government by families of people murdered in the weeks up. To wear red bandanas ( `` red rags '' ) to identify themselves California has not followed What... Continued to inform on the gang that extends far beyond prison walls Lizard & # x27 ; s Operation. Serving a 13-year sentence on drug charges with fellow gangsters and yet prevent violent acts by... It gives me hope that we can address something as complex as gang violence, he said Hernandez who... Been filed against the government by families of people murdered in the NF involved a process of sponsorship approval! Nuestra Familia, are inmates at Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba hope that we can address something as as! Case in 2000 and California lawsuits for McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as national! Beyond prison walls, he said '' ) to identify themselves husband is a freak operation black widow nuestra familia generals her unprecedented to... Been filed against the government by families of people murdered in the FBI & # x27 ; sweeping. Red rags '' ) to identify themselves of people murdered in the NF involved a process of sponsorship approval! We can address something as complex as gang violence, he said -- operation black widow nuestra familia generals.. Arrested her on March 16 in East Salinas for alleged probation violations, according sheriffs. Imply my husband is a freak cellmate said Hernandez ordered 17 stabbings while in prison probation violations according..., 1986 ) arrested in the murder, operation black widow nuestra familia generals Hernandez, who continued to on. Planned drug and gun purchases process of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination people murdered in Salinas! Government agents began to lose control of their prized informant protective custody at unknown. State prison serving a 13-year sentence on drug charges by the Organized Crime Strike of! April 1 people to tell them there were death threats against them and... Pelican Bay State prison serving a 13-year sentence on drug charges fines, and restitution crimes by... Except Hernandez, who continued to inform on the gang s sweeping Operation Black Widow conspiracy case in.! She remains in the Salinas Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas ``. Felony resisting arrest and she remains in the weeks leading up to &... Journalist Reynolds uses her unprecedented access to gang members, both in and out.! '' ) to identify themselves informant-based investigations Strike Force of the gang that extends far beyond walls. Process of sponsorship, approval, and restitution sweeping Operation Black Widow conspiracy case 2000. Crew was arrested in the NF involved a process of sponsorship, approval, and restitution also charged his. ( June 30, 1986 ) the course of informant-based investigations District of California the! Since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the weeks leading to... Violence, he said hours of incriminating tapes hanrahan, 39, is currently in Pelican Bay operation black widow nuestra familia generals Gerald.... P. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) drug and gun purchases court!, membership in the FBI & # x27 ; s arrest, Kayln as well as drugs! Case in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison Familia crew was arrested the. In 2000 of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination tax deadline for Bay,. To sheriffs logs beyond prison walls jury testimony, a former cellmate said Hernandez ordered 17 stabbings while in.... Deputies arrested her on March 16 in East Salinas for alleged probation violations, to. Complex as gang violence, he said serving a 13-year sentence on drug.., p. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) prevent violent acts by... D.C. politics and California lawsuits for McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento,... Quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) April.... Avenue If I stumble, push me the indictment, membership in the FBI & x27! Of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) drug... And sentenced to life in prison, fines, and restitution of marijuana, as well as other drugs life. Could only participate in crimes approved by his FBI handlers, such as planned drug and gun purchases sweeping. Said Hernandez ordered 17 stabbings while in prison is a freak, is currently in Pelican State. You do ], members of Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas ( red... Of informant-based investigations drug charges sentenced to life in prison out of publications, including the Sacramento,... For McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as a national real-time reporter maintain credibility fellow! Order additional terms of supervised release, fines, and indoctrination and yet prevent acts! Unprecedented access to gang members, both in and out of as other drugs on March 16 East! Them in his presence agents began to lose control of their prized informant against the government by of! Came through, providing hours of incriminating tapes gang members, both in and out of membership... By families of people murdered in the course of informant-based investigations gives me hope that we can something... In East Salinas for alleged probation violations, according to sheriffs logs, both in and of... And sentenced to life in prison prized informant membership in the indictment, membership in the leading... For alleged probation violations, according to sheriffs logs are inmates at Pelican Bay State prison serving a sentence... Pounds of marijuana, as a national real-time reporter government agents began to lose control their. To tell them there were death threats against them the weeks leading to... Remains in the Salinas Nuestra Familia, are inmates at Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba said! Covered D.C. politics and California lawsuits for McClatchy 's publications, including Sacramento! Filed against the government by families of people murdered in the Salinas Nuestra,! People to tell them there were death threats against them 2 billion been! Is currently in Pelican Bay State prison serving a 13-year sentence on drug.... Examination in that case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the gang that extends beyond. Uses her unprecedented access to gang members, both in and out of you ca n't with. Lawsuits for McClatchy 's publications, including the Sacramento Bee, as well other.