The investigation was launched following an incident last year when a member of the gang allegedly killed two police officers while responding to a domestic violence call.
California gang members were the target of a series of raids conducted by federal and local authorities in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday
In the San Gabriel Valley, eleven California gang members’ suspects were apprehended for violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. Additionally, the indictment unveiled on Wednesday included charges related to firearms and narcotics against California gang members, which authorities claim are affiliated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada expressed satisfaction with the apprehensions, stating, “A largely violent gang responsible for the murders of two brave police officers and others has now felt the weight of a collective law enforcement response. The California gang members’ days of terrorizing the community stop with today’s federal arrests.” While four of the suspects were already in police custody, four more are currently being sought. Several other individuals associated with the gang were also arrested on unrelated local charges.
The prime defendant in the case is Chase Carrillo, aged 34, who allegedly attempted to kill an informant but ended up killing a woman who was with the informant instead, according to prosecutors
The federal prosecutors have further accused the California gang members of attempted murder against a rival gang member. The investigation was initiated following the tragic killings of El Monte police officers Michael Paredes and Joseph Santana. The perpetrator, Justin Flores, a member of the California gang members, shot both officers at the Siesta Inn motel.
Later, Flores was killed while attempting to flee from the motel. Despite having a prior burglary felony, Flores avoided prison due to a directive issued by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon that prevented prosecutors from filing a strike allegation against him.
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