Thread: More Mexican Mafia members arrested

More Mexican Mafia members arrested

By Guillermo Contreras
gcontreras@express-news.net
Updated 10:08 a.m., Thursday, October 13, 2011

Authorities in the San Antonio area struck again Thursday at members of the Texas Mexican Mafia gang, including a general.

Law officers from several federal and local agencies arrested six suspects, adding to four already in custody, after the 10 were indicted on federal drug trafficking-related charges.

Several officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety delivered some of the suspects at the federal courthouse Thursday morning. They were scheduled for hearings later in the day, when their names will be made public.

Just last week, several members of the San Antonio-based gang, also known as "La Eme" and "Mexikanemi," were sentenced in Del Rio for their participation in the group's racketeering activities, which included two killings in counties west of San Antonio.

Also, some of the same investigators were involved in a roundup two weeks ago of a dozen members and associates of the Texas Syndicate, a rival gang. One of those suspects is a former Bandera County deputy.

Both prison gangs have become among the largest in Texas and branched out into the streets, where they are blamed for a litany of crimes and murders — usually on rivals or fellow members who have fallen out of favor. The crimes also include extortion.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_ ... z1agaQGZTP

I.C.E. News Release

October 13, 2011
San Antonio, TX

6 Texas Mexican Mafia gang members arrested following heroin indictments

SAN ANTONIO — Law enforcement authorities on Thursday arrested six members of the Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) and their associates following two federal drug indictments, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Pittman, Western District of Texas. These charges stem from an FBI-led investigation assisted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The following six individuals were arrested and charged federally:
45-year-old Robert Carreno Jr. (aka "Lil Bit");
39-year-old Tony Berlanga (aka "Tony");
46-year-old Gabriel Quiroz (aka "Biker");
48-year-old Guadalupe Ramos (aka "Lupio");
56-year-old Julio Villanueva (aka "Shorty Hawk"); and
63-year-old Teresa Alonzo (aka "Tia").

The following additional four defendants were already in law enforcement custody on unrelated charges: Manuel Gonzales (aka "Speedy"), 36, and Alexander Garza (aka "Animal"), 35, in federal custody for a supervised-release violation; Joseph Sanchez (aka "Cowboy"), 41, and 20-year-old Santos Trevino (aka "Dedos," aka "Beatles") in state custody.

According to court documents, the first indictment was returned on Oct. 5 and unsealed Thursday, charging all those arrested with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Upon conviction, the defendants face a minimum, mandatory 10-year term of imprisonment, and a maximum of life in federal prison.

The investigation revealed that from Dec. 1, 2009 to July 20, 2011, the defendants distributed at least 48 kilograms (105.6 pounds) of heroin, which the TMM sold for $750,000. Authorities believe Carreno holds the rank of "Free World General" of the TMM. Also, Carreno and Berlanga allegedly oversaw the transportation of the heroin from Laredo, Texas, to San Antonio for further distribution by TMM members.

The second indictment, also returned on Oct. 5, charges Teresa Alonzo (aka "Tia") with a conspiracy to distribute heroin between Dec. 1, 2009 and July 20, 2011. Upon conviction, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

In June 2011, Alonzo allegedly attempted to smuggle an ounce of heroin to TMM Vice President Benito Alonzo while he was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Corrections. As part of the distribution conspiracy, Alonzo is accused of having accepted thousands of dollars as repayment to Benito Alonzo for monies loaned to purchase heroin. A federal search warrant executed at her residence in August 2011 resulted in the seizure of notebooks containing names and telephone numbers of TMM members, and correspondence from Benito Alonzo.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/news/releases/1110/1 ... ntonio.htm