<![CDATA[Gangs - Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/tags/gangs/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:45:39 GMT en-us <![CDATA[Mexican Mafia Operating in Orange County]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/mexican-mafia-operating-in-orange-county/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/mexican-mafia-operating-in-orange-county/ Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:13:00 GMT In a combined effort with three agencies, several alleged members of the Mexican Mafia and other gangs were arrested and charged in September of 2013 in Orange County according to the Los Angeles Times. A two and a half year long investigation by FBI agents, Orange County Sheriff’s detectives, Santa Ana police department and the Orange…

]]> In a combined effort with three agencies, several alleged members of the Mexican Mafia and other gangs were arrested and charged in September of 2013 in Orange County according to the Los Angeles Times.

A two and a half year long investigation by FBI agents, Orange County Sheriff’s detectives, Santa Ana police department and the Orange County district attorney’s office resulted in federal and state indictments of 129 people.

There were 55 arrests along with seizures of weapons and drugs. The charges were for extortion, racketeering, and drug dealing. Officials released some details regarding the type of criminal activities the gang members were supposedly involved in. Some were said to have been dealing drugs in the jail or involved in beatings of gang member inmates.

The district attorney’s offices explained that these crimes were ordered by the Mexican Mafia. In the streets of Orange County, the Mexican Mafia ordered gangs to be taxed in order to operate in neighborhoods. The investigation, called Operation Smokin’ Aces, uncovered communications dealings with heroin trafficking and orders for beatings.

]]> <![CDATA[Central Coast Gang Bust]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/central-coast-gang-bust/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/central-coast-gang-bust/ Wed, 11 May 2011 17:48:00 GMT 11 individuals have been taken into custody as a result of federal indictments. All are suspected members of two Central Coast gangs. Some were from the Northwest Santa Maria street gang; others were from the Six Deuce Brims Bloods out of Lompoc. The Northwest gang is connected to the Mexican Mafia. Both street gangs are…

]]> 11 individuals have been taken into custody as a result of federal indictments. All are suspected members of two Central Coast gangs. Some were from the Northwest Santa Maria street gang; others were from the Six Deuce Brims Bloods out of Lompoc. The Northwest gang is connected to the Mexican Mafia. Both street gangs are believed to be responsible for a major part of drug transportation and sales as well as arms sales. The indictments came from an under cover investigation. Agents infiltrated the network and carried out drug deals and weapons sales. The federal grand jury was out of Los Angeles County and the charges were of conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine for 10 suspects. The raids resulted in the capture of nine out of the 10 named in the indictment. The suspects range from ages 23 to 51 years of age. They will be prosecuted in Santa Barbra County.

]]> <![CDATA[Major Gang Busts in Long Beach Area]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/major-gang-busts-in-long-beach-area/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/major-gang-busts-in-long-beach-area/ Fri, 06 May 2011 17:52:00 GMT Investigators have arrested gang members and their associates in the Harbor Gateway and Wilmington area as part of a multi-agency operation. Federal agencies such as the ATF, DEA and local and state law enforcement completed a two and a half year investigation. Agents worked within the criminal organization, using informants and undercover agents. Within that…

]]> Investigators have arrested gang members and their associates in the Harbor Gateway and Wilmington area as part of a multi-agency operation. Federal agencies such as the ATF, DEA and local and state law enforcement completed a two and a half year investigation. Agents worked within the criminal organization, using informants and undercover agents. Within that time drugs were sold and transported as well as fire arms transactions made. Cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and heroin were the drugs sold by the gangs. Members of the Dodgetown Crips and Rancho San Pedro were taken into custody. Federal grand jury indictments also charged some individuals with immigration violations, methamphetamine distribution and illegal weapon sales. The operation was an attempt to tackle the criminal activities that center in the Harbor area and reach out to neighboring cities.

]]> <![CDATA[Gang Violence on the Rise in Orange County]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/gang-violence-on-the-rise-in-orange-county/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/gang-violence-on-the-rise-in-orange-county/ Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:26:00 GMT On one single afternoon last month, there were three shootings involving three teenage boys in the city of Santa Ana. That onset of violence and a recent “surge” in gang attacks have gotten police weary of the troublesome summer that lies ahead. Problems get worse in the summer since kids are out of school and…

]]> On one single afternoon last month, there were three shootings involving three teenage boys in the city of Santa Ana. That onset of violence and a recent “surge” in gang attacks have gotten police weary of the troublesome summer that lies ahead. Problems get worse in the summer since kids are out of school and hanging out on the streets.

Santa Ana is the biggest city in Orange County and also has the most crime and most gangs, numbering around 100. Officers will be greatly outnumbered in trying to contain the 5,000 documented gang members, as currently, the department is down from an authorized 403 sworn officers to just 362.

Sgt. Lorenzo Carrillo, head of the city’s gang investigative unit stated that they will primarily focus on trying to control the number of “violent” incidents. However, the fight against gangs “goes beyond our police department and enforcement and arrests,” Councilwoman Michele Martinez said. “That’s not going to solve our gang problem. It starts at home and in the community.” See Penal Code Section 186.22

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

Here is an OCinTwo Orange County Register video about the continued gang violence and Santa Ana Police budget constraints.

]]> <![CDATA[Orange County Police Officials Set Out to Enforce Curfew for Minors]]> https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/orange-county-police-officials-set-out-to-enforce-curfew-for-minors/ https://www.bruzzolaw.com/blog/orange-county-police-officials-set-out-to-enforce-curfew-for-minors/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:18:00 GMT Last week in various cities in Orange County police officials set out to enforce curfew for minors 13 to 17 years old. A teenager can be out after curfew if they are with a parent, guardian or are otherwise exempted. The reason for the curfew is to curtail teenagers from being out after hours and…

]]> Last week in various cities in Orange County police officials set out to enforce curfew for minors 13 to 17 years old. A teenager can be out after curfew if they are with a parent, guardian or are otherwise exempted. The reason for the curfew is to curtail teenagers from being out after hours and participating in illegal activities. In particular it was intended to reduce gang activity and crimes by minors. The current sweep was conducted at 10p.m. or 11p.m. depending on the city’s ordinance. According to the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Edition “college-bound students, gang members, a 13-year-old on probation for kidnapping and more than one drunk[en] teenager” were some of those collected during the sweep. The teens were kept in a bus until their parents came to pick them up. The article adds that some parents were unaware that their children were out while others had been looking for their kids. An Orange County Deputy District Attorney and officials from the Orange County Probation Department met with the parents of the teenagers and showed them photos of victims killed late at night. Legal consequences were also discussed and counselors from Pepperdine University masters program in counseling were on hand to talk to parents and their kids.

Here is a news video provided by Garden Grove TV3

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