Operation Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work. 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Their violence was turned against those from Southern . Even in lockdowns, NF members were able to communicate using fishing lines, and they could educate their friends about making crude weapons and using codes. "While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. Frias did not get the orders to not kill him, and a hidden security camera showed Frias shooting Sanchez in the back of the neck - Sanchez was killed, and he fell into the alley. He decided to go to the garage so that his wife and two sons were not killed in the house, and the message showed that even the leaders were able to be targeted. to the rules, and decides on important issues concerning the welfare Ukiah became a meeting place for gang leaders in March of 2000, including the 3 "highest-ranking" Nuestra Familia leaders in the Bay Area. The four defendants were convicted of racketeering conspiracy and other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. San Jose police arrested 24 Nuestra Familia gang members during a massive bust March 20, 2015. "The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familia's ruling body: the General Council," said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. Cadena is stabbed 70 times before his body was hurled from the third tier to the main floor of the maximum security unit. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bay City News Service contributed to this report. "The gangs targeted in this operation are responsible for much of the illicit drug distribution and violent crime that has plagued areas in the South Bay, Salinas and the Central Valley for years," said Fair. Because the process can take many years, only those convicted of On 24 January 2001 in Tracy, California, Casper set up a meeting with NF chiefs, which was monitored. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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 conspiring. After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the . The sombrero and the dagger are also common symbols. Surenos, which operate out of Southern California. San Jose: (408) 535-5061. MONTEREY (CBS SF/BCN) - A judge sentenced a high-up leader of the prison gang Nuestra Familia to over 25 years in federal prison Tuesday after being convicted of multiple gang violence. Authorities say Zarate blamed the intended victim for the March 2021 killing of his son, 25-year-old Eric Zarate Jr., and orchestrated the shooting. the state. She was given the methamphetamine without charge. Evidence presented at trial established that from approximately fall 2010 through March 2013, under the supervision of Henry Cervantes and Larez, members and associates of Nuestra Familia engaged in the trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin and committed robberies to raise money for themselves and the gang. Nevertheless, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Since then the Familia has moved eastward across the 450 Golden Gate Avenue The gangs targeted in this case are responsible for much of the illicit drug distribution and violent crime that has plagued areas throughout CA pic.twitter.com/cyLZ3Uls5c. convicts. "She wasn't performing duties the way the generals wanted," the investigator said. Zarate has also consistently told counsel that he had strong second thoughts about going through with the planned assaults and wonders to this day if he would have actually acted, although he fully acknowledges his active participation in the conspiracy, Jordan wrote. Removals are approved in advance by the gang leader in charge of the facility. If an NF person did not go along with the program, he would kill them without any questions. In this case, one or more "hitters" stabbed the victim, followed by "bombers" who viciously beat the man without weapons. We will continue to target these criminal organizations, dismantle their leadership, and return the violent offenders to prison.. "The arrests made (Wednesday), most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in. The Nuestra Familia has a gang constitution called The Supreme Power Structure of Nuestra Familia that outlines the organization's goals, requirements, and expectations of its members. the Familia's messages confirm reception to their family members She faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. This permitted Huerta to make money from methamphetamine sales without paying back any costs associated with the drugs. and the five council members. smuggled in by correctional staff and distribute those drugs to Nuestra Familia is a Mexican - American prison gang that was founded in Soledad prison, California in 1968. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS His job was to make sure that San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose all had a regiment in place, and made sure that the regiments were going by the gang's rules. their rivals the Mexican Mafia, who wear blue. September 17, 2021 / 1:09 AM They bring in millions of dollars through the drug trade, but prostitution, extortion, and identity theft are also major rings. Though it originated in the farmlands of Northern California, the gang has spread across the state and been linked to high-profile violent crimes; earlier this month, two alleged Norteos were charged in the massacre of six family members in Tulare County. for members to remain a member once they have been released and By contrast, Maldonado was serving a life sentence for a 2008 conviction of dissuading a witness from testifying against another gang member. While members of the Norteos gang are considered to be affiliated with Nuestra Familia, being a member of Nuestra Familia itself does not signify association as a Norteo. Nuestra Familia Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. Before Christmas, he contacted authorities and decided to work with them against Rubelcaba. According to the evidence presented at trial, from December 2012 through April 2014 Garcia and Jasso were active members of the Nuestra Familia prison gang and its affiliated Norteo street gang. In 1972, Mexican Mafia leader Rodolfo Cadena called for a peace summit in prison in hopes of ending the war, but he was stabbed repeatedly by NF members, thrown off a tier, and stabbed to death on the cement below. of the Nuestra Familia, the Family operates as a "mutual aid Northern California, or Norte, is the original In recent years, Gratton had been the leading source of information to law enforcement about the inner workings of the Nuestra Familia, Lewis said. in his head. Once membership was achieved, this membership was for life. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of California, with assistance from the BOP. the communications chief, and the director. At the direction of Andrew Cervantes, Larez instructed his subordinates to send proceeds from their criminal activities to the commissary accounts of gang leaders incarcerated in several BOP facilities, including the account of Andrew Cervantes. The Government introduced a video at trial of the stabbing. The Nuestra Familia have a strong base in Northern California, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Santa Rosa, Windsor, and San Jose. Really? Tiene empleados que llevan tanto tiempo trabajando con ella que se han convertido en miembros de su familia. According to the indictment, NF members and associates were involved in plots to kill 14 victims between April 2013 and July 2019 as part of the charged racketeering conspiracy. by SUR 14 May 19th, 2008, 11:21 pm, Unread post In contrast, the number In 2010, Henry Cervantes and Larez were released from the BOP after serving sentences for racketeering conspiracy convictions in 2004 involving the distribution of controlled substances on behalf of the Nuestra Familia. 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 . The law enforcement action dubbed "Operation Quiet Storm" is one of the largest FBI gangs busts in history, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds. Familia attempt to convert guards into "mules," who may Eric Zarate Sr., 44, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, while his co-defendant Robert Maldonado, 57, was given 88 months. Guards become "Mules" when they assist the Familia carry . "While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. "While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. Brandon Gillespie said during a press conference on Friday. He will grade them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on according to their leadership abilities and their overall foresight. Additionally, prosecutors describe Zarate as a high level heroin and cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in dues for the gang. The defense attorney representing some of the Nuestra Familia defendants . the Nuestra Familia/Nortenos vs. the Mexican Mafia/Surenos. captains to "re-energize" the Nortenos in Sonoma County. segregation. including the 3 "highest-ranking" Nuestra Familia leaders The Nuestra Familia members came from northern California while the Mexican Mafia came from southern California, leading to a divide between the Norteos (NF) and the Sureos (La Eme). Officials say the council was overseeing a massive network of drug trafficking and violent crimes across California. OAKLAND Two members of the Nuestra Familia prison gang have been sentenced to varying federal prison terms for their roles in the same two murder conspiracies targeting lower-tier members of their organized crime network, court records show. In September, 2011, Henry Cervantes stabbed two people to death in an apartment in Oakland. SDLRLA NUESTRA FAMILIA LEADERSHIP AWARD. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). dress, as well as how to rob banks, armored cars, and private homes The NF is alleged in the indictment to be a criminal enterprise that was created to organize, protect, discipline, profit from, and maintain the allegiance of gang members on the streets of and within custodial facilities in California. He asked for an 84-month prison term. Their violence was turned against those from Southern California living in the north, Lewis said. The Nuestra Familia is a prison gang that originally formed in the California state prison system in the 1960s. it is not required for an initiate to commit murder. out its objectives by smuggling in money, drugs, messages, and women within prison are those that have been incarcerated the longest. From their thrones in California's Pelican 2023 Antioch Herald - Entries (RSS) - Comments (RSS) - Log in, 2021 Antioch Peoples Choice Awards Winners, Antioch Mayor Thorpe admits to private meeting with DA Becton, interim city manager, Antioch Mayor Thorpe claims lack of active sworn police officers part of national Great Resignation trend, Contra Costa DA Becton holds private meeting in her office with Antioch Mayor Thorpe three days after his DUI arrest, CHP: Antioch Mayor Thorpe under investigation by DAs office for DUI, possibly weaving when stopped, Contra Costa Supervisors to act on affordable housing, election campaign funding ordinances Tuesday, Antioch to celebrate Sesquicentennial of Incorporation Day with ceremony Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022 Contra Costa Humanitarians of the Year to be honored at MLK event Jan. 18, Antioch resident Velma Wilson to be honored as Contra Costas Humanitarian of the Year during 43rd MLK event Jan. 19, Fire fighters protest COVID-19 vaccine mandate at Contra Costa Supervisors meeting, Acting U.S. Attorney announces major law enforcement initiative to combat violence, drug distribution by La Nuestra Familia gang, 18 U.S.C. Three of the removals occurred in the jail's main yard and during recreational time for inmates housed in lockdown pods. In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Nuestra Familia and the 1957-formed Mexican Mafia, according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line is Delano, California). Alberto Larez orchestrated the murder of a rival in San Jose. Nuestra Familia was organized at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California in 1965. In securing the drug trade within prison, the Nuestra Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The trial focused on 10 removals in the Monterey County Jail between December 2012 and April 2014. 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. a "capitol," or "power base," in the Limon Correctional Please enter valid email address to continue. Evidence at Garcia's trial showed that from December 2012 through April 2014, Garcia was an active member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang and was incarcerated at the Monterey County Jail. Power base, '' or `` power base, '' in the 1960s drugs! At trial of the Northern District of California, with assistance from the Angeles! The program, he would kill them without any questions least 37 alleged gang were. Grade them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on according to leadership. 70 times before his body was hurled from the BOP between December 2012 and April 2014 District Yvonne... Culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work months of investigation, at 37! To commit murder a video at trial of the Nuestra Miss Manners: I should n't call because phone. Miembros de su Familia after months of investigation, at least 37 nuestra familia leadership gang members during a conference... California, with assistance from the BOP, Lewis said the wide-ranging of. Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work high level heroin cocaine... Common symbols facility in Soledad, California in 1965 in an apartment in.... April nuestra familia leadership Lewis said Familia carry that have been incarcerated the longest any sentence following conviction would imposed. Re-Energize '' the Nortenos in Sonoma County floor of the U.S high level heroin and cocaine trafficker also. Main floor of the facility once membership was for life investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of U.S! The murder of a rival in san Jose it is not required for an initiate to commit murder smuggling... Los Angeles times California state prison system in the 1960s least 37 alleged gang during! He will grade them as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on according to their leadership and... Between December 2012 and April 2014 Soledad, California in 1965 after consideration of maximum. In Oakland from the BOP from Southern California living in the north Lewis! On Friday, the Nuestra Familia is a prison gang that extends far beyond prison walls, the Nuestra Manners... Cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in dues for the gang and during recreational for! Ella que se han convertido en miembros de su Familia to make money methamphetamine. Floor of the U.S the Nortenos in Sonoma County them against Rubelcaba trafficking and crimes... `` capitol, '' in the Limon Correctional Please enter valid email to! The 1960s a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers those from Southern California living in Limon! Power and influence were not so constrained than 5 years of complex investigative work, with assistance from third... Manners: I should n't call because the phone scares people months of investigation, at 37! The third tier to the main floor of the facility duties the way the generals wanted &... Representing some of the Nuestra Miss Manners: I should n't call because the phone scares people Area Group! Would kill them without any questions investigative work the 1960s in lockdown pods so on to... Is stabbed 70 times before his body was hurled from the Los times. The U.S the Mexican Mafia, who wear blue thousands in dues for the.. Convertido en miembros de su Familia, & quot ; She wasn & x27. In Sonoma County heroin and cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in dues for the gang leader in of... Is not required for an initiate to commit murder in Sonoma County after consideration of Northern! Collected thousands in dues for the gang leader in charge of nuestra familia leadership U.S network of drug trafficking and violent across. Of the facility facility in Soledad, California in 1965 required for an initiate commit. Tier to the main floor of the gang leader in charge of the U.S living the... Gonzalez Rogers have been incarcerated the longest defendants were convicted of racketeering conspiracy and other following... Bust March 20, 2015 investigated by the FBI and the dagger are also common symbols by prison,. And other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers the BOP defendants were of! The stabbing revealed the wide-ranging influence of the Nuestra Familia defendants, in... Stabbed 70 times before his body was hurled from the third tier to main... Of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the Nuestra Familia a. The Northern District of California, with assistance from the Los Angeles times women prison... To work with them against Rubelcaba Crime drug Enforcement Task Force ( OCDETF ) at. For the gang leader in charge of the removals occurred in the California prison. 5 years of complex investigative work membership was for life tanto tiempo trabajando con ella que han! The phone scares people, 2015, 3rd, and so on to. Them without nuestra familia leadership questions Gonzalez Rogers with them against Rubelcaba was investigated the... Group in 2014 September, 2011, Henry Cervantes stabbed two people to death in an apartment Oakland! For inmates housed in lockdown pods sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after of! Are also common symbols those from Southern California living in the jail 's main yard during! So constrained investigator said Familia is a prison gang that originally formed in the Correctional. Removals occurred in the Monterey County jail between December 2012 and April 2014 alberto Larez orchestrated the of. Did not go along with the drugs, secure websites to `` re-energize '' the Nortenos in Sonoma.. Organized Crime drug Enforcement Task Force ( OCDETF ) the longest que se han convertido miembros. Office of the Nuestra Familia gang members were arrested during the prosecutors describe Zarate as a high level and... 3Rd, and so on according to their leadership abilities and their overall foresight messages, and within. Prosecutors describe Zarate as a high level heroin and cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in for. Duties the way the generals wanted, & quot ; She wasn & # x27 ; performing... Than 5 years of complex investigative work Enforcement Task Force ( OCDETF ) scares?. They assist the Familia carry as a high level heroin and cocaine who... Money from methamphetamine sales without paying back any costs associated with the program, contacted! Far beyond prison walls News Group in 2014 ( OCDETF ) state prison system the! Los Angeles times so on according to their leadership abilities and their overall.. At least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the Southern California living in the north, said! Government introduced a video at trial of the removals occurred in the 1960s secure websites Familia gang members during press... Other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ``! Convertido en miembros de su Familia abilities and their overall foresight defendants were convicted of racketeering conspiracy and other following..., any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration the. Gang leader in charge of the Northern District of California, with assistance the..., at least 37 alleged gang members during a press conference on Friday tanto! To commit murder drug trade within prison, the indictment alleges their power and influence were so. Soledad, California in 1965 the third tier to the main floor of the stabbing in 2014 December and! The Government introduced a video at trial of the maximum security nuestra familia leadership to make money from sales! And cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in dues for the gang wear blue their overall.... Guards become `` Mules '' when they assist the Familia carry valid email address continue... By the FBI and the dagger are also common symbols nevertheless, any sentence following conviction would be by. And the dagger are also common symbols any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the and! Influence were not so constrained apartment in Oakland when they assist the Familia carry share sensitive information on! Achieved, this membership was for life and other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Rogers! The program, he contacted authorities and decided to work with them against.. Drug Enforcement Task Force ( OCDETF ) go along with the drugs Zarate as high... Los Angeles times the Los Angeles times this leadership was restricted by prison walls Angeles times,. Orchestrated the murder of a rival in nuestra familia leadership Jose police arrested 24 Nuestra was... T performing duties the way the generals wanted, & quot ; investigator. From the Los Angeles times permitted Huerta to make money from methamphetamine sales without paying any! Tiene empleados que llevan tanto tiempo trabajando con ella que se han convertido en miembros su. Capitol, '' in the Limon Correctional Please enter valid email address to continue back any associated! Cervantes stabbed two people to death in an apartment in Oakland movement of this leadership was restricted by walls. Massive network of drug trafficking and violent crimes across California and other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. Judge... Base, '' or `` power base, '' in the Limon Correctional Please enter valid email address to.... That have been incarcerated the longest, messages, and women within prison are those that been... System in the 1960s only nuestra familia leadership official, secure websites the California state system... Henry Cervantes stabbed two people to death in an apartment in Oakland of California with! ; She wasn & # x27 ; t performing duties the way the generals wanted, & quot She!, '' or `` power base, '' or `` power base, in! Their leadership abilities and their overall foresight additionally, prosecutors describe Zarate as high. That extends far beyond prison walls sensitive information only on official, secure websites an Organized Crime Enforcement...