MS-13 Gang Members Convicted In San Francisco On Murder, Racketeering Charges

SAN FRANCISCO -- A lengthy federal trial targeting the San Francisco branch of a multinational gang known for violence and drug dealing ended Tuesday with the convictions of six members on murder, racketeering and other charges.

Prosecutors argued that the seven defendants were part of the MS-13 gang that terrorized the Mission District with turf wars that killed rivals and bystanders. They were convicted of extorting money from drug dealers, makers of phony citizenship documents and others.

Jurors convicted Angel Noel Guevara, Moris Flores, Marvin Carcamo, Jonathan Cruz-Ramirez, Guillermo Herrera and Erick Lopez.

Lopez, Cruz-Ramirez and Herrera also were convicted separately of murders in 2008. The jurors also agreed that many of the crimes were committed to gain entrance, maintain position or move up in the gang.

One defendant, Walter Cruz-Zavala, was acquitted of all charges.

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, originated in El Salvador.

The men were indicted in 2008 with 16 others who have pleaded guilty to a wide-range of illegal gang activity.

Two men were sentenced to 20 years each for the stabbing death of a 14-year-old in July 2008. Two other men have been charged with murder in a 2009 slaying outside a Daly City subway station.

Six more gang members have pleaded guilty and testified for the government in exchange for sentence reductions. They are to be sentenced later.

The six men convicted Tuesday could face life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 30.

Comments

[JAVA VB]

01:51 PM on 08/31/2011

And what is needed to prevent them from joining gangs was ample recreation for boys as well as girls, jobs and internships for training and money, and assistance to allow their families to live in decent homes.

[dbrett480]

06:40 PM on 08/31/2011

Jobs and internships don't prevent people from joining gangs, since most join before they are 15. Gang prevention programs in elementary school (not middle or high school as it is too late) and effective gang injunctions seem to work the best.

[firenewt]

11:59 AM on 08/31/2011

Normally I'm against draconian punishment, but in cases involving gang members solitary confinement is necessary. And when I say solitary confinement, I mean 24 hrs a day - no time out of their cell. No visitors, no mail, no phone calls. The way gang members control the prisons and their gangs while in prison, complete isolation is what is needed. They are domestic terrorist and have no rights.

[sloreader]

12:50 AM on 09/01/2011

At least an hour a day of isolated exercise outside the cell or the punishment violates the 8th Amendment, in my humble opinion.

[dbrett480]

11:58 AM on 08/31/2011

Good bust, but how could they get only 20 years in prison for 1st degree murder with gang enhancements? Only in California.

[sloreader]

12:52 AM on 09/01/2011

Califronia is handing out maximum sentences with the best of them these days so I'd be currious what transpired in this case as well. Did the bangers turn on their homies in exchange for reduced sentences?

[Fletch55]

11:24 AM on 08/31/2011

It said the most dangerous gang so i clicked thinking it was a group of cops arrested for being part of the gang in blue which they are.

[mandalay007]

10:44 AM on 08/31/2011

and, we will note , all Hispanic/El Salvador-------wouldn't one think THIS would tell San Fran something-----duh------about making itself a safe haven city--------------it never learns

[sloreader]

12:55 AM on 09/01/2011

Looks like solid enforcement to me, so what's your point? Everyone with hispanic surnames in California shoud be deported? Good luck with that concept weedhopper.

[fenian2001]

09:14 AM on 08/31/2011

wonder if the atf supported this gang with their illegal gun programs???

[Garspies]

11:23 AM on 09/01/2011

Yawn

[wstrvlr]

08:14 AM on 08/31/2011

The most dangerous gang in America assembles on Capitol HIll in DC. They have pillaged the populace like sheep at a sheering. They constantly are taking or trying to take our rights away all in the name of protecting us from this or that all the time.

Anyone who will give away one freedom in the name of protection deserves neither protection or freedom. The courts are rewriting the laws as they see fit. Making new laws all the time. No one, not even the lawyers know all the laws people are breaking. It's foolishness having so many laws that not even the best lawyers know them all. Classic example: The IRS rules & regulations.

The USA has more people in jails & prisons than any country in the world. All because of more laws we do NOT need & never did need. Locking folks up is BIG business. The courts make money, the county, state & federal goverments make money, etc. The list goes on & on.

The biggest racket on the planet is governments. The biggest criminals are those with law degrees turned politicians. It's all just disgusting! A house of cards made up of corruption, greed & immorality will collapse everytime. Not a matter of IF, but rather, a matter of WHEN.

Wake up sheeple!

[intellectualTradition]

07:13 AM on 08/31/2011

another great argument for the sanctuary city. the only thing that will fix San Fran at this point is martial law and massive deportations

[360Dunk]

10:08 AM on 08/31/2011

Yes, but unfortunately deportation doesn't work - the rodents just find their way back in.

[sloreader]

12:57 AM on 09/01/2011

Yeah, it's such a terrible place. I was there three weeks ago and had a great time, never felt threatened and wondered why more metropolitan areas couldn't be more like The City.

[dtairtime]

12:21 AM on 08/31/2011

Don't deport the dreamers! MS-13 gang members aren't all like this, some haven't been convicted more then two times so they would qualify.

[cornel]

12:13 AM on 08/31/2011

How come they are still here, I thought Napolitano has deported all criminals ? Sorry, they only go after illegals kids that want to get educated !

[sloreader]

12:57 AM on 09/01/2011

Keep barking, maybe you will hear yourself.

[charon]

10:22 PM on 08/30/2011

Life in Pelican Bay without the possibility of parole.

[cornel]

12:15 AM on 08/31/2011

Police set speed traps for honest citizens to make money for the county instead of going after real criminals, sounds familiar ?

[Politidelic]

07:11 PM on 08/30/2011

So glad to hear this. The gangs in the Mission seem to have pretty free run of everything. I've thought they needed to crack down on these guys much harder for a long time. I live just across from a part of the Mission where you can hear shots on most nights. And it's almost always the same cast of clowns that are responsible.

[EatMeSF]

11:10 PM on 08/30/2011

yup.. same guys for years a few new faces and few gunned down, I have walked by them so much, they say hello to me. I will give them this, they dont mess with unless your dealing or selling ID cards and fake papers.

[cornel]

12:16 AM on 08/31/2011

Sure you are a good customer. How is the yeyo they sell you ?

[victorianism]

05:38 AM on 08/31/2011

Those guys are most often very kind. Sometimes they are kind enough to let you slap them at your pleasure or kick their butts if you promise to take off shoes before kicking. Now that they get prisoned, you sure have difficulties finding some others to be this kind. Oh, the good old days.