Atlanta gang members arrested on racketeering charges
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
10/26/07

A federal jury has found three Georgia men said to have ties to a violent street gang guilty on federal racketeering charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Thursday.

Federal prosecutors said that Freddie Sandoval, 23, of Lawrenceville, Angel Mazariegos, 24, of Doraville, and Luis Alberto Nandy, 27, of Atlanta were members of the gang known as Surenos-13 or SUR-13. The three were on trial for more than two weeks and were convicted under the Racketeering Influence and Corruption Organization, or RICO, statute.

Sandoval was also convicted on charges of drug distribution, attempted drug distribution and conspiracy to distribute drugs. Nandy was acquitted by the jury on those charges. Mazariegos was convicted on a charge of carjacking.

The three could each receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sandoval faces an additional 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million on the drug charges. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21 before U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell.

In all, 14 members of the SUR-13 were named as part of the conspiracy. The indictments came after a two-year investigation, officials said.

Authorities also arrested and prosecuted seven other gang members, deported 40 others and seized 13 firearms and $7,000 in cash. Five members of SUR-13 were found guilty on RICO charges on Sept. 6.

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