23 Mexican Mafia leaders charged in RICO case, 22 Texas murders

By Jim Kouri

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton and FBI Special Agent in Charge Ralph Diaz announced the indictment of 23 San Antonio residents, all of whom are in leadership positions in the Texas Mexican Mafia, for violating the federal Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute, according to a report obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

"Intimidation, violence and murder are standard operating procedure for these gangsters. This indictment is the first step in putting them out of business," stated United States Attorney Johnny Sutton. "Since 2004, our office has put over 130 members of the Mexican Mafia in federal prison and we are committed to disrupting and dismantling this criminal organization."

Federal and state authorities arrested TMM Captain Michael Vargas, aka "Mikio," without incident late yesterday afternoon. Seventeen defendants charged in this indictment were already in custody prior to today. They are:

Jacinto Navajar, aka "Cache," TMM General

Ruben Garcia, aka "Chorre," TMM Sergeant

Ted Ansualda, aka "Porky," TMM Lieutenant

Trinidad Gomez, aka "Trini Boy," TMM soldier

Jesse Ramirez, aka "Chuy," TMM Captain

Billy Silva, aka "Wild Bill," TMM Asst. General

Leonard Tremillo, aka "Joker," TMM Lieutenant

Vidal Longoria, aka "Corky," TMM Lieutenant

Jose Martinez, aka "Bam Bam," TMM Lieutenant Joe Pena, aka "Pancho," TMM General

Hector Martinez, TMM soldier

Jesse Ozuna, aka "Low," TMM Lieutenant

Mark Alvarado, aka "Kickback," TMM soldier

Trinidad Riojas, aka "Trini," TMM Lieutenant

Mike Garcia, TMM Lieutenant

Carlos Ybarra, aka "Charlio," TMM Lieutenant

Jesse Rodriguez, aka "Chuy," TMM Sergeant

Authorities are actively searching for the five remaining defendants.

The one-count federal indictment, returned on January 29, 2008, and unsealed on February 1, alleges that the defendants conspired together to further their criminal enterprise by committing 22 murders, 2 attempted murders, 1 solicitation to commit capital murder, robbery and extortion plus distributing heroin and cocaine. Upon conviction, each defendant faces life in federal prison.

Racketeering Acts:

The indictment alleges a pattern of racketeering activity committed by the defendants including the:

• shooting death of Florencio "Lencho" Vasquez in September 2000;
  
  
• shooting death of Anthony "Tony" Blanco in November 2000;
  
  
• robbery and subsequent shooting death Michael Sanchez in March 2001;
  
  
• shooting death of Ruben Hernandez in January 2002;
  
  
• shooting death of Ernest Guzman in May 2002;
  
  
• shooting death of Jose "Arte" Moreno in June 2002;
  
  
• shooting death of Henry "Guero" Cantu in December 2002;
  
  
• shooting death of Agustin "Augie" Macias in July 2003;
  
  
• shooting death of Jose "Speedy" Lopez in July 2003;
  
  
• shooting death of Raymond "Mon" "Nochipa" Rodriguez in September 2003;
  
  
• shooting death of Jesse "Psych" Medina in February 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Robert "Beto" Gleason in March 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Robert "Robe" Murillo Fernandez in August 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Jesse "Pelon" Guevara in August 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Mercy Brooks in September 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Tony Rodriguez in November 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Juan "Green" Perez in December 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Roy Vera in December 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Joe Santos in November 2004;
  
  
• shooting death of Rudy "Scooby" Contreras in January 2005;
  
  
• shooting death of Hector Martinez in January 2005;
  
  
• shooting death of Robert Sanchez in April 2005;
  
  
• attempted murder of Ruben Rodriguez in January 2002;
  
  
• attempted murder of Ernesto "Neto" Rodriguez in June 2007;
  
  
• solicitation of the capital murder of Lydia Castro in January 2003;
  
  
• obtain large amounts of heroin and cocaine for further distribution and sale;
  
  
• control the distribution of heroin and cocaine by restricting drug trafficking among non-Texas Mexican Mafia members to those who paid extortion fees or a "tax;"
  
  
• protect "authorized" drug distributors from robbery, violence and competition; and,
  
  
• using violence in all forms and degrees to enforce the Texas Mexican Mafia drug distribution "tax."
  
  

The Mexican Mafia was formed in the early 1980's in the Texas prison system when predominantly Hispanic inmates banded together during a period of turmoil and violence within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Over the years, the gang has focused its efforts to promote widespread criminal activity including narcotics trafficking, extortion and murder. Also known as "Mexikanemi" or "La Eme," the organization was the subject of a 1993 federal indictment in the Western District of Texas which resulted in the conviction of Heriberto "Herb" Huerta, the then President of the organization, and a number of his fellow gang members on drug charges.

In 1998, another federal indictment resulted in the conviction of Robert "Beaver" Perez, a Mexican Mafia General, and 15 other fellow gang members for their pattern of racketeering activity including six murders committed in 1994 and 1995 in the City of San Antonio and eight murders allegedly committed by gang members in 1997. The 1997 homicides included the shotgun killing of five people at a residence on West French Place on August 8, 1997.

In 2004, 25 members of the Mexican Mafia were indicted and convicted of federal drug, firearm and money laundering charges. During the time of the conspiracy, the organization was responsible for distributing over 150 kilograms of cocaine and over 30 kilograms of heroin. Authorities also seized approximately 80 firearms and approximately $50,000 in cash.

© Jim Kouri