Members of Florencia 13 Gang Staged Attacks against African-Americans in Bid to Control Drug Trafficking in South Los Angeles Neighborhoods.
3.5 months later the defendants were found guilty. They are among 102 defendants named in four F13 related indictments that were returned by a Federal Grand Jury in the fall of 2007. The investigation into F13, which was called Operation Joker’s Wild, led to the largest gang takedown in American history, with 96 of the 102 defendants being taken into custody. 76 of the defendants have now been convicted, either at trial or as the result of guilty pleas, with the remaining defendants pending trial.
The 10 defendants convicted today were among two dozen people charged in an indictment that alleged violations of the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. That indictment and the evidence presented at trial focused on the criminal activities of the gang’s leaders and enforcers, crimes that included drug trafficking, attempted murder and murder and extortion. The jury in the United States District Court in Santa Ana heard evidence about the F13’s criminal enterprise and its control by an incarcerated member of the Mexican Mafia prison gang and Mexican Mafia members on the streets. F13 controlled drug distribution in the unincorporated areas south of the city of Los Angeles and certain other areas such as Huntington Park. Leaders of F13 collected taxes or “rent” from gang members and others who engaged in criminal conduct in the F13 territory, in return for Mexican Mafia protection when they went to prison or jail. F13 operated a number of “drug spots” in the South Los Angeles area. The jury heard testimony that F13 members indiscriminately targeted African-Americans who were seen in their neighborhoods.
Those found guilty are:
Jesse Vasquez, 35
Gilberto Oliva, 42
Arturo Cruz, 33
Jose Gonzalez, 35
Noe Gonzalez, 26
Alberto Hernandez, 27
Francisco Flores, 23
Luis Aguilar, 37
Manuel Hernandez, 26
Cesar de la Cruz, 29
United States District Judge David O. Carter is scheduled to sentence the 10 defendants on September 9. All of the defendants face potential prison terms of life without parole.
The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict against an 11th defendant in the case, Alizandro Rincon.
“The investigation into the Florencia 13 demonstrated the power of law enforcement coming together to combat organized street gangs,” said the United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien. “This gang – which targeted African-Americans, whether or not they posed a threat to the gang’s drug trafficking operations – posed an imminent danger. As a result of this prosecution, the residence of South Los Angeles can live a little easier knowing that these dangerous gangsters have been taken off the street.”
John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF stated he was very pleased with the verdicts today. This sends a clear message that the community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by Florencia 13. These convictions will go a long way toward reducing violence and returning peace to the neighborhoods.
Operation Joker’s Wild was an investigation into F13 conducted by the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. The task force is comprised of agents and officers of:
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office
DEA
ATF
Los Angeles Police Department
IRS- Criminal Investigation Division
FBI
Los Angeles County Probation department
Bell Garden Police Department
Torrance Police Department
Baldwin Police Department
Azusa Police Department
United States Marshals Service – led Regional Fugitive Task Force
California parole agents.
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