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Gangsta Killa Bloods' Cocaine Suppliers Sentenced
Family Of Illegal Immigrants Supplied Drugs, Police Say

POSTED: 7:01 pm EDT May 28, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The last four defendants of a gang-related drug operation were sentenced Tuesday.

Acting United States Attorney Kevin McDonald said that 10 members of the Bautista-Teran family and their associates supplied cocaine to the Gangsta Killa Bloods street gang.

The cocaine trafficking organization was headed by Emilio and Valdemar Bautista-Teran. Most of the defendants associated with the organization were related by blood or marriage to Emilio Bautista-Teran.

Evidence showed that Emilio Bautista-Teran was a primary cocaine supplier of Jarvis McKenzie, who in turn supplied the Gangsta Killa Bloods (GKB) street gang in Columbia.

Investigators said that most of the defendants, who ranged in age from 22 to 40, were Mexican nationals in the United States illegally.

They pleaded guilty to various federal drug, money-laundering, firearms, and immigration violations.

The sentences ranged from six months to 22 years, with several sentenced to at least 10 years.

McKenzie was recently convicted in federal court and is awaiting sentencing.

The investigation is continuing, and more charges are expected.

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