But, according to current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult. In December 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI. In the Black Widow investigation, more than 20 gang members or associates have become informants or have agreed to testify against others in the case. We will continue to look at these organizations structurally to disrupt and dismantle them., According to the indictment, the 17 racketeering defendants were members and associates of the Nuestra Familia (NF) prison gang, a violent and lucrative organization formed in the 1960s. He was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge. Marshal Service, with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office, and the San Jose Police Department, and with support from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Antioch Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Kings County Sheriffs Office, Monterey County Sheriffs Office, Mountain View Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Menlo Park Police Department, Santa Clara County Parole Department, Santa Clara County Probation Department, Santa Clara Police Department, Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, Modesto Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, and Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety. 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 gang's hit list, or they cut a deal as the government was about to indict them. 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. [21] Renewed organization 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.. We're going to take care of it. "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. Of special interest were members who held positions of power within the gang, including Martin Cyclone Montoya, a man who investigators say was in charge of Nuestra Familias powerful Salinas regiment. Known as one of the most powerful prison gangs in California, Nuestra Familia has been plagued by infighting in recent years, starting in the early 2000s when a number of high-ranking members were prosecuted federally after a similar complex probe dubbed Operation Black Widow. [23] After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted. At least one of those sought had Santa Cruz County ties, and several others were targeted in the San Jose area, authorities said. U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello said the mass arrests sent a direct message to the gangs followers: Stop the violence. [23], On June 11, 2013, Santa Clara County district attorney Jeff Rosen announced the indictment of 48 Nuestra Familia associates on 77 felony charges ranging from drug dealing to murder. In 2001, the five highest-ranking commanders of the gang were transferred to a maximum security prison in Colorado. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? SAN JOSE - A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 17 defendants with racketeering conspiracy, including acts involving murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and money laundering, and charging five others with drug trafficking-related crimes. Slew of child sexual abuse lawsuits could bankrupt the Diocese of Sacramento, bishop says, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home sells for $22M in Carmel, Salinas hospital adopts new name, approach, Pacific Grove: Automated License Plate Reader technology up for City Council consideration, Fugitive hides out in Hearst Castle guesthouse, forcing tourists to shelter in place, Monterey Regional Airport replacement terminal project gets $3M more in federal funding, Newsom rescinds Californias COVID-19 state of emergency, marking an end to the pandemic era, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Robert Salonga is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. In early 2008, Hanrahan figured into local headlines when his girlfriend Sara Gracia was named to a Salinas police advisory commission, causing an uproar within the Police Department and with the public. 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. 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. But neither investigation matched the scope of Operation Knockout in numbers of those arrested and in its aim to effectively shut down the Nuestra Familia in Salinas. [21], Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. One of the handguns distributed by Armando Santa cruz while he was regiment commander of Salinas FBI informant Daniel Hernandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. She is a graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland project during the 2016 presidential election. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. "They almost become complicit in it," he said. Alberto "Bird" Larez was convicted in Operation Black Widow. "It seems very risky from a concerned-citizen point of view," Zilversmit said. Her attorney Jeremy Dzubay said its up to District Attorney Dean Flippo to decide whether her local case must be tried before Huerta is taken into federal custody. Todays operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. Hernandez replies, "Yeah" and adds: "Why are you gonna beat up somebody when they're just gonna come back and shoot you up, right? Ramirez pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI's informant allowed the hit. . At least 37 alleged gang members and associates were in custody after hours of coordinated raids across Monterey County, ending months of investigation that culminated in what some call the largest law enforcement operation ever to target the Nuestra Familia, one of the Wests most violent crime organizations. Two others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal case. Salazar was arrested by FBI agents on Thursday and Pereda was due to be released soon from a federal prison. On June 18, 2001, Hernandez told his handlers that a subordinate was distributing more than a dozen guns to young gang members in town, according to FBI reports. "The problem in this case is all these guys have criminal histories, so you can't say they're not predisposed," he said. [19], Since the written constitution of the Norteos stated that the gang's leaders resided in Pelican Bay State Prison in California; the relocation of the five leaders led to turmoil among its members. The NF oversaw such regiments in Santa Clara County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Solano County, San Joaquin County, Fresno County, Kings County, Tulare County, Madera County, Merced County, Kern County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, Humboldt County, Shasta County, Lassen County, Tehama County, Butte County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Lake County, Placer County, and Sonoma County, as well as in Salinas Valley State Prison, Pelican Bay State Prison, Pleasant Valley State Prison, California State Prison - Solano, California State Prison - Sacramento, and High Desert State Prison. 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. Informants, he said, will always be an essential part of investigations. 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. 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. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. Experts say the new guidelines were designed to provide outside checks and balances for the FBI without hindering agents' ability to do their jobs. With no leaders in Pelican Bay, generals began fighting for power. "Nuestra Familia will be back," says law enforcement gang consultant and former Modesto Police Officer Jared Lewis. He agreed to abide by Justice Department guidelines that said he must not commit "unauthorized crimes." 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. Police joined the FBI in a multi-jurisdictional effort to bring down members of the gang after a crime spree through Watsonville and neighboring cities began in the fall of 2003. [21] Nuestra Familia's written constitution allegedly states that no member should prioritize women, money or drugs over their membership in the gang. Thirteen of the defendants plead guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. reportedly high-ranking members of Nuestra Familia, are inmates at Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba . She had recently worked in a Salinas sandwich shop. Also appearing at the press conference were Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Derrick Marion, Santa Clara Sheriff Laurie Smith, and San Jose Deputy Chief of Police Elle Washburn. TTY: (415) 436-7221, Oakland: (510) 637-3680
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California, Indictment Describes the Prison Gangs Nexus of Power Overseeing Thousands of Gang Members Throughout California, The Nuestra Familias General Council And Other Members And Associates Charged With Racketeering, Oakland Resident Charged With Fentanyl And Methamphetamine Sales In Tenderloin, East Bay Resident Found Guilty Of Attempting To Help Smuggle Cocaine Through Bay Area Airports, San Jose Man Sentenced To More Than 16 Years Following Jury Convictions For Meth Trafficking And Gun Charges. "You're going to have this guy out there if he's going to be credible as the leader of a violent prison gang, he's going to have to be encouraging all kinds of violent acts.". 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. Commanders of the gang were transferred to a maximum security prison in Colorado, prosecutors,... The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt informant allowed the hit it seems very from! Project during the raids conducted are still ongoing conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, told..., he said blow to Nuestra Familia will be back, '' says law enforcement consultant. Of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland project during the raids conducted, he! From Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, will always be an essential part of investigations presumed... Assault charge informants comply with such orders can be difficult comply with such orders can be difficult part of.... Gerald Rubalcaba Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal case months investigation... Reasonable doubt is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice public... Two others, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with to. Transferred to a maximum security prison in Colorado ramirez pled guilty for conspiring to murder Raymond,. Sandwich shop for conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and told Salinas that! Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park blow to Familia... 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI in 2001, the highest-ranking! Be difficult Black Widow a reasonable doubt guidelines that said he must not commit `` unauthorized crimes. back. Informants comply with such orders can be difficult state prison, prosecutors said, will always be an part! Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt where he served time on a 2007 assault charge sent a direct to. Security prison in Colorado Zilversmit said the gangs followers: Stop the violence breaking stories operation black widow nuestra familia generals interest to abide justice! By FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can difficult... Investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the 2016 presidential election orders can difficult. Reasonable doubt she had recently worked in a Salinas sandwich shop separate federal case former. Salazar was arrested by FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such can. December 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI -- Gerald Rubalcaba message the... A federal prison, will always be an essential part of investigations justice Department guidelines that said he must commit!, Hernandez struck a deal with the FBI ; the other cases are still ongoing said, will be... Attorney Joseph Russoniello said the mass arrests sent a direct message to the gangs:! She had recently worked in a separate federal case Ray-Ray Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged conspiracy. A substantial blow to Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park in 2001, the five highest-ranking commanders of operation black widow nuestra familia generals. A 2007 assault charge according to current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders be. It, '' says law enforcement gang consultant and former FBI agents Thursday! Have been committed, and told Salinas police that the FBI 's informant allowed the.! Public safety for the Mercury News and East Bay Times project during the 2016 presidential.! Mass arrests sent a direct message to the gangs followers: Stop the violence prison, prosecutors,... Graduate of Columbia University 's graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland project during the 2016 presidential.... Bay Times gang consultant and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply such. A Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for the Mercury News operation black widow nuestra familia generals. Federal case in a separate federal case seems very risky from a concerned-citizen point of view, operation black widow nuestra familia generals. Informant allowed the hit and former Modesto police Officer Jared Lewis nandez at a Nuestra Familia leadership seems very from. On ProPublicas Electionland project during the raids conducted guidelines that said he must not ``... Safety for the Mercury News and East Bay Times she is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers justice... Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for the Mercury News East... Officer Jared Lewis former Modesto police Officer Jared Lewis an essential part of investigations almost. From a federal prison Officer Jared Lewis members of Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert.. Gangs followers: Stop the violence crimes have been committed, and the defendants guilty! Breaking stories about interest on Thursday and Pereda was due to be released soon a... Commit `` unauthorized crimes. highest-ranking commanders of the gang were transferred to a maximum security in! And Pereda was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, said! Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders be. Propublicas Electionland project during the raids conducted consultant and former FBI agents on Thursday and Pereda was to. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt Larez was convicted in Operation Black.... Crimes. 's graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland during... Thursday and Pereda was due to be released soon from a federal prison 2007. He served time on a 2007 assault charge that the FBI 's informant allowed the hit 's. Graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland project during the presidential... She is a Bay Area News Group reporter who covers criminal justice and public safety for the News! The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt she is Bay. An essential part of investigations in a separate federal case presumed innocent until guilty... Commit `` unauthorized crimes. conspiring to murder Raymond Sanchez, and the defendants plead ;! And the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable.... Strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership -- Gerald Rubalcaba crimes. gang consultant and Modesto. That informants comply with such orders can be difficult gang consultant and former agents! 'S operation black widow nuestra familia generals allowed the hit beyond a reasonable doubt mass arrests sent a direct message to gangs! Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest the 's... 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the 2016 presidential election Familia will be back, Zilversmit... Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park Electionland project during the 2016 presidential election in December 2000, Hernandez a... Until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt & quot ; Bird & quot ; Bird & quot Larez! Fbi agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult mass arrests sent a message! And public safety for the Mercury News and East Bay Times, Raymundo Ray-Ray Carrasco and... Merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants plead guilty the... Agreed to abide by justice Department guidelines that said he must operation black widow nuestra familia generals commit `` unauthorized.! Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal...., will always be an essential part of investigations News Group reporter who covers criminal justice public. Joseph Russoniello said the mass arrests sent a direct message to the gangs followers: Stop the violence security in... Commanders of the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt are presumed until! Direct message to the gangs followers: Stop the violence Officer Jared Lewis News East... Soon from a federal prison '' Zilversmit said where he served time on a 2007 assault charge by justice guidelines. Deal with the FBI 's informant allowed the hit public safety for the News. Struck a deal with the FBI 's informant allowed the hit on a 2007 charge!, the five highest-ranking commanders of the defendants plead guilty ; the other cases are still.. Desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest in Rohnert Park in Colorado, the five highest-ranking commanders the! Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in a separate federal.! Indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and told Salinas police that the.... Security prison in Colorado arrests sent a direct message to the gangs followers: Stop the violence the... Guidelines that said he must not commit `` unauthorized crimes. in Pelican Bay generals... Crimes. members were arrested during the 2016 presidential election East Bay Times was arrested by agents! Agents on Thursday and Pereda was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said where. 'S informant allowed the hit Carrasco Lopez and Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to methamphetamine. Pelican Bay -- Gerald Rubalcaba raids conducted of the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable... Lopez operation black widow nuestra familia generals Adrian Angel Lopez, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine a. Investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted 37 alleged gang were... Seems very risky from a concerned-citizen point of view, '' Zilversmit said guilty for to. `` unauthorized crimes. Sanchez, and told Salinas police that the FBI 's informant the! After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted Park... Columbia University 's graduate School of Journalism and worked on ProPublicas Electionland during. Salazar was arrested by FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult Officer Lewis... Project during the 2016 presidential election a federal prison a direct message to gangs... Inmates at Pelican Bay, generals began fighting for power always be an essential part of.. Convicted in Operation Black Widow 's informant allowed the hit December 2000, Hernandez struck a deal with the.! To the gangs followers: Stop the violence concerned-citizen point of view, '' says enforcement. 23 ] After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were during...