News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 19, 2011
Contact: SA Sarah Pullen Public Information Officer
Number: 213-621-6827

Los Angeles Street Gang Targeted in Federal Racketeering Indictment

JAN 19 - LOS ANGELES – A joint federal-state law enforcement operation this morning led to the arrest of 27 people linked to a Lennox street gang, some of whom are named in a federal racketeering indictment that alleges the gang is a criminal enterprise that has engaged in violent crimes, extortion and narcotics trafficking. Some of those taken into custody today face federal charges, others will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution on various offenses, and some are allegedly illegal immigrants who face criminal prosecution and deportation.

Today’s operation involved nearly 500 law enforcement personnel and is the result of an 18-month investigation by the federal Southern California Drug Task Force and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The centerpiece of the investigation is an 11-count indictment that alleges violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The indictment charges 15 defendants, with six of those being named in the RICO count. Nine of the defendants named in the RICO indictment were taken into custody this morning, and two were already in state custody.

“The drug-related violence of street gangs continues to inflict devastation in many of our communities,â€