Thread: First defendant in Mexican Mafia crackdown gets two years

NEW: First defendant in Mexican Mafia crackdown gets two years
Web Posted: 05/19/2005 04:29 PM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/ ... 8b900.html

Guillermo Contreras
Express-News Staff Writer

The first defendant in law enforcement's crackdown on the Texas Mexican Mafia last year was sentenced today to two years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia imposed the sentence on Steve Herrera, 32, who pleaded guilty in September to a cocaine-distribution charge. The count stemmed from the sale in April 2004 of 1 kilogram of cocaine to former gang lieutenant Michael "Changuito" Rios, 31.

Rios, who was indicted apart from Herrera and 27 others, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Aug. 25. He testified against four fellow gang members at their trial in April and is awaiting sentencing.

At trial, testimony established that Rios and then-gang general Jimmy "Panson" Zavala drove to meet with Herrera to pick up a kilo of cocaine. While Herrera and Rios were arrested, Zavala got away.

Zavala, 35, Johnny "Gira" Garcia-Esparza, 45, Juan Victor "Smiley" Valles, 37, and Sammy "Spiderman" Garcia were convicted of being involved in the gang's drug-trafficking conspiracy. They are awaiting sentencing later this summer, along with 23 other defendants rounded up during the crackdown.



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gcontreras@express-news.net

2 years, then he is probable already out for time served and good behavior. what a slap on the wrist.