East LA Gang Members With Ties To Mexican Mafia Indicted On Federal Racketeering Charges
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Federal prosecutors Wednesday announced the arrest of 24 members of an East LA gang with deep ties to the Mexican Mafia.
The U.S. Attorney's Office made announcement regarding federal racketeering charges during an 11 a.m. news conference.
Officials said approximately 800 law enforcement personnel executed warrants and conducted searches at 5 a.m. at several Eastside locations, including the Romona Gardens housing complex in Boyle Heights.
Authorities arrest 25 members and associates of the group, a multi-generational street gang "that has brought murder, extortion, robbery and other crimes to Boyle Heights for the past 70 years," spokesman Thom Mrozek said.
In addition to the 24 people arrested Wednesday, seven defendants were already in custody, authorities are searching for five fugitives, and one defendant was killed over the weekend. Fourteen suspects remain at large.
CBS2's Randy Paige attended the news conference where police asked the public to be on the lookout for the at large suspects.
The 110-page indictment outlines criminal activity dating back to 2007, including dozens of drug deals, acts of intimidation and violence against people believed to have cooperated with law enforcement, illegal weapons sales and threats made against African-American residents of Ramona Gardens.
The Hazard gang is closely aligned with the Mexican Mafia, and many members of the prison gang have come from Hazard.
Nearly all the defendants face charges that carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life without parole.
The investigation into the Hazard gang was conducted by the FBI, LAPD, AFT, LASD, IRS and the Alhambra Police Department.
"If convicted, everyone faces at least 10 years in federal prison. Many face life without possibility of parole," said acting US Attorney Stephanie Yonekura.
The gang has also reportedly threatened to murder police officers.
"The LAPD is not intimidated. The LAPD represents the people. We stand tall with the people," said Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese.
