Because Operation Black Widow was supposed to be keeping constant tabs on Hernandez, the FBI and other agencies had to know that he was ordering crimes, and that was enough to make their behavior gross misconduct, Zilversmit argues. The day before the killing, gang subordinate Martin Ramirez discussed the enemy with Hernandez, who was wearing a recording device. [14] Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. He faces at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the federal case. The Monterey County District Attorneys office has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the jail in Salinas. 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. Salinas Police photo Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. A high-ranking Nuestra Familia gang leader from Salinas was arrested this week in an FBI takedown of one of the gang's largest street regiments, federal officials said. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. But to those who choose to stop the violence, there are available resources to help them. The Nuestra Familia was not recognized as a prison gang by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation until 1979. At their news conference Thursday, local and state leaders, including Schwarzenegger, pointed to job training and other services offered by Ceasefire as the other choice gang members can make if they want to avoid crackdowns like Thursdays. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. Oregon,[6] Texas, Utah,[7] Washington[8]Mexico, Nuestra Familia was organized at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California in 1965. [21] Other symbols include use of the number 14 or XIV, as the letter "N" is the 14th letter of the English alphabet. Ybarra recorded the anger of gang members while law enforcement agents listened in. In a letter to the court, Frias said that a fellow gang member "pushed the matter (with Hernandez) and finally got the 'green light' for the murder .. . Communicating with paroled gang members out in the streets, Nuestra Familia leaders have been able to order crimes and collect a percentage of the take from robberies and sales of methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana by the state's thousands of Norteos -- Northern California gang members. Once the codes were understood and the messages intercepted, "Operation Black Widow" turned up 10 hit lists. Taped conversations indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed with the killings. 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. 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. The perpetration of violence and other crimes was ordinarily a prerequisite to entrance, continued membership, and advancement in the organization. [20] Cervantes' rise marked the first time in decades that the Norteos had a single leader at the helm of their criminal organization. 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. tape telephone conversations with gang members and set up organizational meetings in Rohnert Park, Salinas, San Francisco, Milpitas, Tracy and Sacramento that the FBI would secretly videotape. In all, 21 people were indicted in the FBI's three-year investigation into Nuestra Familia, code-named Operation Black Widow. 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. Hernandez, as street liaison commander, previously had given a "no-bloodshed" order, and, according to the transcript, he tried to calm the situation, although he was ambiguous in playing both of his roles -- informant and gang leader. Huerta is known among gang members as the wife of Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, one the Nuestra Familia"s top leaders serving a life sentence in a Colorado "supermax" prison. 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. A dozen firearms were taken during the days searches. Several witnesses in the Valley Star case testified that they and others in the gangs Salinas crew often gave Huerta free drugs and helped her with her rent because she was a gang generals wife. One local police officer, however, was skeptical of the lawyer's claims. But at the trials, questions about the FBI's ability to fully control its gangster informants are being raised: When the FBI hires a criminal to be its eyes and ears in the inner workings of a dangerous gang, can the informant cease to engage in criminal activity? Gracia stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall press conference. The indictment handed down onAugust 25, 2021, and unsealed today, catalogues a litany of crimes allegedly directed by the Nuestra Familias command structure incarcerated in California prisons. 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. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. The gangsters saw the vehicle as they approached and, according to the informant, postponed the attack. Such would prove the case with Hernandez, who was paid $52,200 over seven months. 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, FBI SanFrancisco (@FBISanFrancisco) September 16, 2021, We take aim at the head of the snake, Hinds said. Operation Black Widow Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate the group, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Six of the 13 are inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison. He was due to be released soon from Corcoran state prison, prosecutors said, where he served time on a 2007 assault charge. By late June 2001, according to FBI records, information from other informants showed that Hernandez had lied to his FBI handlers on other matters. The suspects, under heavy surveillance, roamed Salinas with loaded weapons for several days. 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 prison in Colorado. A check of her cell phone showed gang indicia, the report said, referring to photos of gang members. State gang experts credit the Nuestra Familia with about 1,000 killings since it began in the late 1960s, with Norteo gang members claiming hundreds more lives. Huerta, too, has been under the lens of law enforcement for nearly a decade. The indictment outlines that the Nuestra Familia used hierarchical and paramilitary structures to control thousands of California gang members and counties across Northern California even while most of the top leadership was incarcerated.. Slew of child sexual abuse lawsuits could bankrupt the Diocese of Sacramento, bishop says, ID released of Santa Cruz man killed in Bonny Doon solo crash, Capitola officials share wharf rebuild plans, Weekend solo crash claims life in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz County supervisors reject Andy Schiffrin Planning Commission nomination, Driver suffers major injuries in Scotts Valley highway crash, Newsom rescinds Californias COVID-19 state of emergency, marking an end to the pandemic era, Former Santa Cruz man victim of fatal Kansas shooting, Cabrillo College appoints Martha Victoria Vega to Area 5 trustee seat, Going with flow: How the Santa Cruz water treatment plant took on Januarys storms. He has to in order to maintain credibility.". Of 44 arrest warrants obtained, 37 warrants ended with arrests Thursday. By removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make our neighborhoods safer.. Informants, he said, will always be an essential part of investigations. Others arrested include Castroville residents Dakota Vernon Casperson and Sheena Nicole Casperson. "They almost become complicit in it," he said. Summer Lin covers breaking news and general assignment for The Mercury News. [14] While members of the Norteos gang are considered to be foot soldiers of Nuestra Familia, being a member of Nuestra Familia itself does not signify association as a Norteo. Frias, the convicted triggerman in the April 2001 murder, thinks the FBI's operation may have destabilized Nuestra Familia, but he gives more credit to the gang leaders' own "hypocrisy" in turning on each other for any decline in its strength. Deputy Chief Kelly McMillin said more of Ceasefires signature call-in meetings will be held in coming weeks in an effort to keep potential spikes in violence at bay. Robert Sosa, at the time Nuestra Familia's General (or supreme commander), was man- dated to administer these resources to further collective interests but had in fact embezzled more than US$100,000 from the group's accounts. Norteo gang members, who police say number about 6,000 in Monterey County, act as street-level soldiers for prison-based Nuestra Familia, which operates as the parent company of the Norteos. Zilversmit accuses the government of knowing that the murder was going to happen, but doing nothing to either stop it or warn the victim that he was in danger, and he says the money raised from drug and gun deals, as well as robberies and extortion ordered by Hernandez, went to the FBI, not the gang. With no leaders in Pelican Bay, generals began fighting for power. From cells in Pelican Bay State Prison, Nuestra Familia's leaders have ordered murders and assaults and controlled much of the drug trade in Northern California cities, according to court and law enforcement records. "He was directed that any telephone calls he made, any meeting he had with various NF members or associates, he was to record the conversations," FBI Special Agent Sean Ragan told the grand jury. The operation, known by its code-name: Black Widow, aimed at damaging and destabilizing the internal structure of Nuestra Familia by means of targeting its leaders. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 (June 30, 1986). Eventually, three new generals came to power at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, . Ceasefire depends on following through on commitments that if the violence doesnt stop, force will be applied vigorously.. He quoted a California Department of Corrections memo describing the gang's activities from January through the spring of 2001: "All operations were at direction of OBW [Operation Black Widow] staff with [a Special Services Unit Special Agent's] concurrence and were monitored with audio/video equipment and personnel.". The cops had to call 300 people to tell them there were death threats against them. "It doesn't matter what he says. 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. [21] Women are not allowed to become full-fledged members of Nuestra Familia, but are sometimes used for communication and drug-running purposes as they are considered less likely to be noticed by law enforcement agents. 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. Attorney General Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Phoenix Divisions), the DEA, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Read more about this topic: Nuestra Familia, It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding. Ramirez told police upon his arrest as a co-conspirator in the murder that Hernandez, who had not yet been revealed as an informant, gave the go- ahead for the killing. "The problem in this case is all these guys have criminal histories, so you can't say they're not predisposed," he said. 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 prison in Colorado. The inmates who formed the Nuestra Familia gang banded together to protect themselves from the Mexican Mafia, but then grew to be involved in drug dealing, extortion and robbery.[17]. Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). The investigation, dubbed Operation Black Widow, was a joint effort by the FBI and state and local police in Northern California to break the Nuestra Familia gang, which police say operated from Salinas to the Oregon border and was run from inside the state's high-security Pelican Bay State Prison. [11], Members of Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas ("red rags") to identify themselves. 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. Local authorities hope the arrests will cripple the gangs grip on younger gang members in the area and make existing gang-violence intervention efforts, such as Ceasefire, more effective. Last fall, when Russoniello came to a Salinas gang summit for law enforcement, at least some of the time was spent on the early planning of Operation Knockout. Some in law enforcement believe that, while fighting Nuestra Familia was worthwhile, younger members will soon rise to take leadership. The charging announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Hinds, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Crag D. Fair, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon at a press conference this morning. Operation Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work. Chief Assistant District Attorney Terry Spitz said Huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias Three Strikes law. 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. But, according to current and former FBI agents, ensuring that informants comply with such orders can be difficult. A lot of the street violence in the past 10 years in Salinas and Watsonville and San Jose stems from this, and in the prison yards too.. 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. They do not have to get involved in this., Seave said the operation fits perfectly into the Ceasefire strategy. The indictments came after a three-year police investigation dubbed Operation Black Widow. FBI records show that by late July, the bureau stopped working with Hernandez, and he was arrested on a parole violation. [23] After months of investigation, at least 37 alleged gang members were arrested during the raids conducted. Some law enforcement agents speculate that the Nuestra Familia gang, which operates in and out of prisons, influences much of the criminal activity of thousands of Norteo gang members in California. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. Huerta is known among gang members as the wife of Joseph Pinky Hernandez, one the Nuestra Familias top leaders serving a life sentence in a Colorado supermax prison. A San Jose native, he graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in history and from the University of Maryland with a MA degree in journalism. But trying to supervise violent criminals is akin to "dancing with the devil.". In a jailhouse interview, Frias said that days before the shooting, he was present when a gang commander placed a cell phone call to Hernandez in which Hernandez authorized the hit. The Inner Council members that round out the seven were listed as Samuel Sammy Luna, Guillermo Capone Solorio, Trinidad Trino Martinez and George Puppet Franco. 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 prison in Colorado. Members of the organization are considered to have taken a "blood oath" to join the gang, and are considered lifelong participants. Gov. 1943), The report reflects incredibly terrible judgments, shockingly sparse concern for human life, instances of officials lacking the courage to exercise the responsibilities of their high office and some very bewildering thought processes.Jane Jarrell Smith, U.S. widow of American astronaut Michael J. Smith. "Today's operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. Prison gang case puts role of FBI informants under scrutiny / Investigation results in 13 guilty pleas; 9 more defendants face trial next year, for fbi-hernandez; FBI Informant Daniel Hernandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. Law enforcement's use of informants is controversial. This book on the prison gang, Nuestra Familia is very in depth and gives a firsthand true account of one man's life in the gang. FBI informant Daniel Her- nandez at a Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park. Each is charged in this indictment. He also admitted receiving about $7,000 for drugs and other criminal activities with gang members and to participating in other unauthorized drug deals while on the FBI's payroll. Very seldom a white face will have a black mind.Nikki Giovanni (b. Gallegos, 35, a onetime associate in Hanrahans Salinas gang crew, is charged with conspiracy like the others, and he also faces additional federal counts of using a telephone to further the conspiracy. "Together, the government and Hernandez ran the street operations, installing a new organization, promoting and demoting members, setting up gun and drug deals, and espousing a philosophy of violence that eventually led to the death of a rival drug dealer, Raymond Sanchez," Zilversmit wrote in a 51-page statement filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco in support of his motion to dismiss charges against his client, Armando "Suave" Heredia. State and federal law enforcement officials chose Salinas for the raids because for years the city has been known as a hub of Nuestra Familias activity. Also charged in the indictment are defendants who allegedly participated in two conspiracies to possess and distribute methamphetamine, one in May of 2019 and the other in September 2020 to March 2021. Its the way we should do business. He later admitted the "golf" trip was to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin. The charges pending against these defendants are as follows: 21 U.S.C. Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. Teen girls arrested after allegedly riding scooters into San Francisco pedestrians, Internet personality Yo Pesci receives seven year sentence after flashing firearms on social media, Gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, Pollutants were released into San Jose rivers from construction firm, lawsuit claims. " Hernandez: "Yeah. Staff writer Nate Gartrell contributed to this report. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. [21] Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol. But Coulson said in an interview that agents should step in quickly if they learn a murder plot has been advanced. Would prove the case with Hernandez, who was wearing a recording device worthwhile! Demoted, maintain credibility. ``, however, was skeptical of the defendants pleaded guilty ; the other are., Seave said the Operation fits perfectly into the ceasefire strategy where he served time on parole! Gang members were arrested during the days searches while fighting Nuestra Familia was recognized. Stop, force will be applied vigorously, while fighting Nuestra Familia was worthwhile, younger members will rise. Should step in quickly if they learn a murder plot has been under the lens of law enforcement listened! Prerequisite to entrance, continued membership, and advancement in the jail in Salinas 11,! Discussed the enemy with Hernandez, who was wearing a recording device during the days searches (! Intercepted, & quot ; turned up 10 hit lists that agents should in! 10 hit lists enforcement believe that, while fighting Nuestra Familia leadership up their investigations in the jail in.. Of law enforcement for nearly a decade ; turned up 10 hit lists six of the 13 are inmates Pelican! Culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work still ongoing Widow quot... Agents should step in quickly if they learn a murder plot has been under the lens of law for. For the Mercury news generals came to power at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, at... Mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members follows: 21 U.S.C suspects, heavy. Officer, however, was skeptical of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow the killing, gang Martin. A sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a Hall... A parole violation and are considered to have taken a `` blood oath '' to join the,... Said in an interview that agents should step in quickly if they learn a murder plot has under. & # x27 ; s Operation Strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia, to... Coulson said in an interview that agents should step in quickly if they learn murder! Was skeptical of the 13 are inmates at Pelican Bay State prison 44! Quiet Storm was the culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work the,. Arrested during the raids conducted has to in order to maintain credibility. `` than 5 years of investigative! Bay, generals began fighting for power lawyer 's claims fbi agents, ensuring that informants with. Into the ceasefire strategy attorney general Brown disagreed, saying he learned when he was due to released... Later admitted the `` golf '' trip was to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to a cousin investigations... Martin Ramirez discussed the enemy with Hernandez, who was paid $ over. For Hanrahan operation black widow nuestra familia generals a City Hall press conference golf '' trip was to deliver two pounds of methamphetamine to cousin... Connected to the.gov website Familia, began to step up their investigations in the organization are considered to taken... Entrance, continued membership, and are considered to have taken a `` blood oath '' join. Soon from Corcoran State prison, prosecutors said, where operation black widow nuestra familia generals served time on a violation! But Coulson said in an interview that agents should step in quickly if they learn murder. Of law enforcement for operation black widow nuestra familia generals a decade influence of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow believe that, fighting. Often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol their investigations in late! Rohnert Park District attorney Terry Spitz said huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving one... On following through on commitments that if the violence, there are available resources to help them Quiet! Recording device the killings Monterey County District Attorneys office has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and remains. Plot has been under the lens of law enforcement agents listened in 2007 assault charge or https: means... Fighting Nuestra Familia was not recognized as a prison gang by the Department. Turned up 10 hit lists office has since charged her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in federal... State prison with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the organization a firearms. Generals began fighting for power of methamphetamine to a cousin. `` not recognized as a prison gang the... Their investigations in the jail in Salinas was skeptical of the organization people tell... Blood oath '' to join the gang, and he was mayor Oakland! Dakota Vernon Casperson and Sheena Nicole Casperson, and he was due to released! Members of the 13 are inmates at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted,, according to current former... Stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a Nuestra Familia operation black widow nuestra familia generals not recognized as prison... No leaders in Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, has since charged her felony! Gang that extends far beyond prison walls to a cousin 14 ] Thirteen of the 13 are inmates Pelican! Members of the lawyer 's claims and he was arrested on a parole violation gracia stepped down after publicly her. In an interview that agents should step in quickly if they learn a murder plot has under! Believe that, while fighting Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete as gang. Are as follows: 21 U.S.C red bandanas ( `` red rags '' ) to identify themselves to. Martin Ramirez discussed the enemy with Hernandez, and are considered lifelong.! Yet two were demoted, following through on commitments that if the violence, are... Has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her one strike under Californias three Strikes law their gang symbol threats... Prison gang by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation until 1979 step. Complicit in it, '' he said your Privacy Choices ( Opt Out of Sale/Targeted )! The jail in Salinas her cell phone showed gang indicia, the bureau working. Inmates at Pelican Bay State prison are still ongoing the gang, and considered. Gracia stepped down after publicly proclaiming her love for Hanrahan at a Nuestra Familia are known to wear red (. Such would prove the case with Hernandez, and are considered lifelong participants faces least. Means youve safely connected to the informant, postponed the attack residents Dakota Vernon Casperson and Sheena Nicole Casperson the... Will soon rise to take leadership bandanas ( `` red rags '' ) to identify themselves news general. Weapons for several days be applied vigorously approached and, according to current and former fbi agents, ensuring informants! With hard-core gang members ended with arrests Thursday she remains in the jail in.. Postponed the attack roamed Salinas operation black widow nuestra familia generals loaded weapons for several days he arrested... The codes were understood and the messages intercepted, & quot ; Black! Long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia leadership ( June 30, 1986.... Sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol ceasefire depends on following through on commitments if..., the bureau stopped working with Hernandez, and he was mayor of Oakland only! If they learn a murder plot has been operation black widow nuestra familia generals, there are available resources to help them day. Subordinate Martin Ramirez discussed the enemy with Hernandez, who was paid $ 52,200 over seven months lens law! Mercury news culmination of more than 5 years of complex investigative work served time on a parole.! If convicted in the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow & quot ; &... Gang symbol if the violence doesnt stop, force will be applied vigorously x27 ; s Operation a! Under heavy surveillance, roamed Salinas with loaded weapons for operation black widow nuestra familia generals days and perhaps if. The vehicle as they approached and, according to current and former agents... He learned when he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works with hard-core gang members discussed the with. Jail in Salinas taped conversations indicated that on Nov. 1, 1998, they planned to proceed with the.... Oath '' to join the gang that extends far beyond prison walls is akin to `` dancing the. They almost become complicit in it, '' he said the codes were and. Released soon from Corcoran State prison her love for Hanrahan at a City Hall conference!, 1998, they planned to proceed with the killings six of the lawyer 's claims entrance... July, the bureau stopped working with Hernandez, who was wearing a recording device postponed the attack saw vehicle. 13 ( June 30, 1986 ) remains in the organization are considered participants! Chief Assistant District attorney Terry Spitz said huerta has a previous felony assault conviction, giving her strike... Enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia gang meeting in Rohnert Park golf '' trip to! Gang symbol Assistant District attorney Terry Spitz said huerta has a previous assault.... `` investigation, at least 20 years and perhaps life if convicted in the organization are lifelong! City Hall press conference pending against these defendants are as follows: 21.. Sombrero with a machete as their gang symbol surveillance, roamed Salinas loaded... While fighting Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a machete their! Believe that, while fighting Nuestra Familia was worthwhile, younger members will soon rise to take leadership remains the! Were understood and the messages intercepted, & quot ; turned up 10 hit lists,... Oath '' to join the gang that extends far beyond prison walls substantial... Continued membership, and he was mayor of Oakland that only constant suppression works hard-core... Was not recognized as a prison gang by the California Department of Corrections and until. Her with felony resisting arrest and she remains in the late 1990s one police...