Nuestra Familia was organized at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, California in 1965. Guards become "Mules" when they assist the Familia carry leader recently released from Pelican Bay was ordered to kill a The defendants are scheduled to make initial federal court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Nathanael Cousins and U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Sallie Kim today. Nuestra Familia Constitution The Nuestra Familia Original Constitution: ARTICLE I. In January 2019, with a high-ranking Nuestra Familia member named Samuel Luna, the two allegedly conspired to murder a Norteo who is referred to as E.C. in court records. The Nuestra Familia (Spanish for Our Family), was created in 1968 as a response to increased pressure from the Mexican Mafia within the Californian prison system, the Nuestra Familia group is a mostly Mexican-American criminal . Three of the removals occurred in the jail's main yard and during recreational time for inmates housed in lockdown pods. The indictment also describes the NFs organizational structure and, in particular, the gangs governing body: a seven-member General Council, made up of three Generals and a four-member Inner Council, which makes significant decisions and oversees the activities of the NF and its subservient gangs. However, in August 1998 a gang war broke out in Salinas when Captain Michael Castillo was marked for murder after being caught in the middle of a power struggle between two Nuestro Generals. The Government introduced a video at trial of the stabbing. 445). . More and more NF members were recruited in the 1980s, and they wanted to control all of California from Bakersfield. For language and communication, the Familia uses legal mail and Pues el desde muy chico a visitado. 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. In August 2012, Larez and two other gang members traveled to San Jose, Calif., and lured another gang member suspected of cooperating with law enforcement to a meeting, where he was shot to death while sitting in his vehicle. as well as the preservation of the Familia culture itself. The security chief prevents the intrusion of inmates into the Familia's "Today's operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. The indictment handed down on August 25, 2021, and unsealed Thursday, September 16, 2021 catalogues a litany of crimes allegedly directed by the Nuestra Familias command structure incarcerated in California prisons. In 1968, a dispute over a simple pair of shoes (a Norteos member confronted a Mexican Mafia member who stole his shoes) led to the War of the Shoes, the ongoing long-term and violent war between the northerners and southerners. They bring in millions of dollars through the drug trade, but prostitution, extortion, and identity theft are also major rings. He decided to go to the garage so that his wife and two sons were not killed in the house, and the message showed that even the leaders were able to be targeted. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The U.S. Department of Justice said that Nuestra Familia (NF) and the Norteno gang are associated with each other, in that the Nortenos pledge loyalty to the NF. The gang continued to carry out violent actions even after the downfall of 21 of their leaders. In September 2011, Jaime Cervantes and another gang member burned the bodies of two murder victims in an apartment in Oakland based on orders from Henry Cervantes. In June 2021, Zarate was arrested and charged with murder for his alleged participation in a retaliatory shooting in San Jose. The Limon Correctional Bay State Prison, they controlled the intra-prison drug and The rap group sold thousands of copies, and many members possessed the album. Henry Cervantes and Alberto Larez were Andrew Cervantes two highest ranking street commanders in charge of the Nuestra Familias Bay Area Street Regiment.. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Crime and Public Safety | The remaining leadership of the organization in Pelican Bay consists of Daniel "Stork" Perez, Anthony "Chuco" Guillen and George "Puppet" Franco. Related Articles Founded in 1968 in Folsom Prison or in the Soledad Correctional Training Facility, Nuestra Familia originated as a prison gang that was formed by rivals of the Mexican Mafia, a Sureos gang. 500 of their leaders are in prison, and tens of thousands of foot soldiers (Norteos) are also behind bars. and Familias in other prisons or on the outside. very serious offences, such as murder or armed robbery, are successfully the state. While members of the Norteos gang is considered to be affiliated with Nuestra Familia, being a member of Nuestra Familia itself does not signify association as a Norteo. sex trade, while communicating with their members on the outside, In prison, their gang members taught them order and strength in a military-like way, and they became a strong gang. Eight co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and other offenses and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from eight to 15 years. Nuestra Familia leaders control and direct the gangs criminal activities both inside and outside of the prison system. One charged with murder, second suspect released, in mass shootout that killed teen at Oakland music video shoot In the case of a member of the Familia defecting to Henry Cervantes, 52, aka Happy, of Lodi, Calif., was sentenced to 75 years in prison. 13 is reserved for the Mexican Mafia, corresponding to the letter"M." A lock ( the Familia's messages confirm reception to their family members through telephone, with all parties prearranged and aware of their September 17, 2021 / 1:09 AM Nuestra Familia leader Andrew Cervantes, 60, aka Mad Dog, of Stockton, Calif., was sentenced to 36 years in prison. Robert Lee Gratton, 44, of Palmdale -- who authorities suspect was driving while intoxicated -- was backing his Chevrolet Cavalier down Highway 14 north of Agua Dulce Road about 1:15 a.m. Friday, when it was struck by another vehicle, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. for sex. This investigation and prosecution are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Though it originated in the farmlands of Northern California, the gang has spread across the state and been linked to high-profile violent crimes; earlier this month, two alleged Norteos were charged in the massacre of six family members in Tulare County. TTY: (415) 436-7221, Oakland: (510) 637-3680 OAKLAND Four members of the Nuestra Familia criminal organization including the top gang leader were sentenced to federal prison today for racketeering, murders, robberies, drug offenses, and related acts announced U.S. Attorney Brian J. This set of rules includes: Who may become a full member (not females); The structure of leadership; the Nuestra Familia/Nortenos vs. the Mexican Mafia/Surenos. Their violence was turned against those from Southern California living in the north, Lewis said. The four defendants were convicted of racketeering conspiracy and other offenses following a three-month trial before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The eagle can also be The evidence presented during the trial included proof of the defendants involvement in several gang-related murders and attacks including the following: Todays sentencing marks the culmination of a six-year investigation and prosecution of Nuestra Familia, which resulted in the convictions of 12 members and associates of the gang. Surenos, which operate out of Southern California. According to court documents, Huerta is the wife of a Nuestra Familia general Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez. This is considered "welfare" The Family operates Membership in the gang is generally sought for protection from Nuestra Familia (NF, Spanish for Our Family) was created in the late 1960's at the Soledad Correction Training Facility in California. The main targets of the investigation including alleged members of the Nuestra Familia's leadership counsel are still in federal detention awaiting a . United States and developed prominent ties in Colorado state prisons. We will continue to target these criminal organizations, dismantle their leadership, and return the violent offenders to prison.. state-lines and touching the most vulnerable segment of the population, The indictment alleges an NF oath provides: If I lead, follow. He orchestrated and oversaw regiment commanders who generated money through drug sales and other crimes, like robbery. According to the NF Constitution, the Street Regiment General oversees the NFs overall street operations. The General of the Prisons is responsible for the NFs overall pinta [prison] functions, and the General Advocates Office is the NFs justice department. Tiered just below these three NF Generals was the Inner Council, which consisted of four senior NF members who served as advisors to the Generals and provided a system of checks and balances. Stretch. Huerta received the NF drug proceeds and methamphetamine as a fee for facilitating communication between her husband and others. 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