http://elpaso.fbi.gov/images/sealbw5.gifFBI Media Release
- Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson
660 Mesa Hills Drive El Paso, TX 79912
To: All print and broadcast media
Contact: Special Agent Andrea Simmons, 915.832.5373
Contact: Special Agent Andrea Simmons
915/832-5373
February 7, 2008
Another arrest made in Barrio Azteca case
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested an individual in the ongoing federal Barrio Azteca investigation. On Wednesday, February 6, 2008, CBP officers arrested 57-year-old Sandy Valles New, of El Paso, Texas, at the Paso Del Norte Bridge, on racketeering charges as part of a federal grand jury racketeering (RICO) indictment.
An 11-count indictment charging various subjects with extortion, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess various controlled substances, as well as committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, was handed down January 9, 2008. Twelve gang members have already been arrested.
The indictment alleges that the Barrio Azteca gang operated its criminal organization through its command structure, and the gang implemented and executed its criminal racketeering, drug trafficking, and money laundering activities in the El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, area. They promoted and protected their power and their operations through threats of force, intimidation, assaults, and murder. The Barrio Azteca, through its command structure, has perpetuated this "scheme" since its inception in 1986.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the El Paso County District Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, El Paso Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
http://elpaso.fbi.gov/pressrel/2008/azteca020708.htm