house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero In 2011, the FBI reported that Barrio Azteca also had members in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Seventeen San Antonio-based members of the Texas (TS) have been charged by federal grand jury indictment with conspiring to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt (RICO . Prisons, crammed with thrill-seekers and outright junkies, provide the ultimate captive consumers. The murder came as a result of the Gulf Cartel hiring the Texas Syndicate to kidnap Serrano from his home in Texas and take him to cartel members in Mexico. The purpose of the enterprise include the following: a) Enriching the members and associates of the enterprise through, among other things, distribution of narcotics, extortion and robbery; b) Preserving and protecting the power, territory and profits of the enterprise through the use of intimidation, violence, threats of violence, assaults and murder; c) Promoting and enhancing the enterprise and its members and associates activities; d) Maintaining a powerful organization that can protect members and provide financial opportunities through criminal activity; e) Keeping victims in fear of the enterprise and in fear of its members and associates through threats of violence and violence. This is a carousel. The new boots new habit, like everything else, was duly noted by the inmates. They blew the paycheck on the slot machines; they had a wonderful time. By the time 21-year-old Luis Sandoval, a new boot at Huntsvilles Ellis I Unit in the summer of 1985, was approached by an inmate with an unlit cigarette, his ears were still ringing from a more desperate request he had heard during his first week on the job. He did so and, he told me, was then given $50 by the inmates. Initiation into the group comes from other members, and members are required to make a life-long commitment. [2], Texas Syndicate members abide by a constitution requiring members to:[1], Additionally, gang leadership is determined by democratic elections, requiring a unanimous decision. Not one of them pinned the murder of Joe Arredondo on Sandoval. I remember when he yelled fight. Aventus has hired you to lure the altered wolves to Midnight Den and cull them, then meet him at the Syndicate Enclave to the north-east when you are finished. Assistant U.S. (Fong 41) This requirement, which exists in the case of the Texas Syndicate and Mexican Mafia for example, serves as a means of sponsorship, so therefore anyone interested in joining the gang, their trustworthiness can be verified if a current gang member is familiar with them. I looked up and as he was running by, he looked at melike he wanted to cry, you know? Popular on college campuses, most fraternities or sororities still have rites of initiation, but the focus is now being put on making the experience fun and mildly embarrassing, rather than something that causes a new member to need therapy. Compared with Luis Sandovals quiet life in Alice, Ellis I must have seemed like an opium den. On the way home Sandoval asked his cousin to drive the scenic route. I was in the dayroom. [1] Gang members smuggle multikilogram-quantities of powdered cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, and multiton-quantities of marijuana from Mexico into the U.S. for distribution inside and outside prison. The threat being that they will show it to that person's family members, destroying them in the eyes of those they love. Scroll through the slideshow for 10 things you need to know about the Barrio Azteca gang. Many recruits show up voluntarily, but the group does practice kidnapping and forced recruitment. However, prospects stand ready to carry out decisions made at these meetings as this would help improve their status in the organization. The prosecutors of Luis Sandoval not only conceded this but went out of their way to make it part of their case. Texas Syndicate members frequently refer to each other as carnal (brother) and maintain a distinct identity by establishing and enforcing specific TS rules, holding meetings, utilizing TS gang signs (horns), and by maintaining a close relationship with fellow gang members and their associates throughout the state. Upon their release from prison, gang members returned to Texas, renamed themselves the Texas Syndicate (TS), committed crimes, and wound up in TDCJ, where they developed an extensive network. But no one suspected a thing. Then hed have to do something for us. Come on, Sandoval. The Joint Crime Information Center thanks these agencies and centers for contributing to the production of this assemss ent. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Many of the gang leaders who had been doing time are now in the free world, spreading the gang network across the state, beyond prison walls. The impulse is to accommodate the inmate, since prisonsspiritual wastelands of concrete and metalcry out for random acts of human kindness. Gang initiation typically has a homeboy requirement, that is, one of the other members can testify that they know the character of the prospective recruit and thus whether or not he deserves initiation. Gang members have a direct working relationship with associates and/or members of the Gulf Cartel. [4][5], The Texas Syndicate was established at Folsom State Prison in California in 1978 in direct response to the other California prison gangs, notably the Aryan Brotherhood and Mexican Mafia, which were attempting to prey on native Texas inmates. The brutality of the murder, coupled with Sandovals complete inability to prevent it, made quite an impression on the young guard. But other factors have caused guards to agree to be drug mules. This case resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Gonzales Police Department. Sandoval, in the meantime, worked at J.C. Penney in Plano. Apple Jack protected his mule, however, and though many knew of the officers extracurriculars, the hammer never fell on him. The attorney was advised that his client would never again wear gray in a state penal institution. The Texas Syndicate, including its leadership, membership and associates, constitute an "enterprise" as defined by Title 18, United States Code, Section 1961(4), that is, a group of individuals associated in . Ellis I officials caught wind of the deal through a snitch. A relative newcomer in the world of criminal gangs, the Knights Templar Cartel, which operates in Mexico, was officially founded in 2011 after the disbanding ofLa Familia Michiacana. Chris is a sports enthusiast with a fondness for politics, craft beer, horror movies and travel. Their initiation ritual may not be practiced by all chapters these days, but it is pretty simple and disgusting. Texas Syndicate members, therefore, generally attempt to conceal their association with the TS from law enforcement. His neck had been slashed; his head was all but severed. Texas Mexican Mafia comes in a distant second with 4,700 members, followed by the Texas Syndicate (3,400 members), Latin Kings (2,100 members) and MS-13 (800 members). Tri-City Bombers, Latin Kings and Surenos are more active on a street gang level. Sandoval got up, ran into the hallway, and yelled fight twice. Prisoners join gangs, thereby becoming strong, and prey upon the weak. Again, we're listing a terrorist group among gangs, as their activities and methods are similar, but they just operate on a somewhat grander scale. Sandoval caught one inmate with a homemade oven and a laundry basket filled with about fifty prime-cut steaks. A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Our prisons, far from turning out reformed citizens, have instead become incubators of a statewide crime wave. Such communication is often through letters and telephone calls. Garcia, a four-time loser serving a life sentence for repeated theft and heroin offenses, was one of the friendlier inmates: 33 years old but actually grandfatherly in demeanora gentleman, you could almost sayquiet and unthreatening. It is a method of psychologically breaking a kid and has been used in many war zones in recent years, including Joseph Kony in Uganda and the Sierra Leone conflict. There are a few different methods of initiation in this gang. The group was started in the 1970's in California's prison system, in response to the need for more protection for Mexican-Americans (primarily from Texas) who were in the Cali prison system. A member who violates the rules and loses favor becomes a muleta, a term which is used to mean a problem. Such a violation may result in the TS bringing its own official gang-based charges against the member who is being accused of violating the rules. The first Texas prison guard ever to be tried for the murder of an inmate seemed eager to describe, to me and to the jurors, the pressures and temptations a correctional officer faces. If they dont make this hit, theyll become the person to get hit. In some cases, a recruit is instructed to kill two people; either way, a murder is involved. Chow time meant that vast numbers of inmates would be crowded together in one room. Hey, Boss, you got a light? Every newly hired prison guard, or new boot, hears the question. Juan Carlos Castilleja, age 29 of New Braunfels, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; Roman Gabriel Luna, age 34 of Austin, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine/one kilogram of heroin; Brandon Carrasco, age 21 of Kenedy, TX, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; David Cantu, age 46 of Gonzales, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; John Vera, age 26 of Gonzales, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Josh Vera, age 26 of Gonzales, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Lisa Anzaldua, age 31 of Luling, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Noemi Medina, age 25 of Seguin, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Paul Villarreal, age 45 of Luling, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Michael Armstead, age 47 of San Marcos, less than 50 grams of methamphetamine; Steven Klasing, age 37 of Austin, less than 50 grams of methamphetamine/less than 100 grams of heroin; Rafael Salas, age 38 of San Antonio, one kilogram or more of heroin; and. Just as he entered, Sandoval heard someone yell, Hes on the floor! We assembled and maintain a team of the best talent with a keen eye on the future. The investigators didnt tell me much, nor was I particularly inquisitive, he said. The organization, also known as Los Barrios, derives some of its strength through alliances with Mexican drug cartels. Upon conviction of the drug trafficking charge: Castilleja, Luna, Salazar, Salas and Alvarez face between ten years and life in federal prison; Jimenez-Jaimes, Carrasco, Cantu, Accord, John Vera, Josh Vera, Anzaldua, Medina, Villarreal and May face between five and 40 years in federal prison; Armstead and Klasing face up to 20 years in federal prison based on their involvement, drug type and drug amount involved. To defend themselves against harassment and assault by California prison gangs, they formed their own protection group. Sandoval did as he was asked. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated, following a one-car accident that left his limbs temporarily paralyzed. Not everyone was so sympathetic, however. But the defendants earnest tone suggested that this was itself an injusticethat the prison system had asked the impossible of prison guards and was now punishing Sandoval for the states shortcomings. RELATED:Why 'El Chapo's' beauty queen wife says she is 'afraid for his life'. It is seemingly a simple, humble favor asked of men in gray by men in white. If the person answers that, he will put down his umbrella and stand in the rain (signifying willingness to share a burden and way of life). Youre telling us you saw nothing? Given the size of the gang and the number of areas in which they operate, there are a few initiation rituals. Not one of them said that Sandoval was a bad officer; many, in fact, went out of their way to laud his abilities. The B-wing, a loud and grossly overcrowded area, was considered the hellhole, in the words of Cade Crippin, the CO who worked the B-wing with Sandoval the afternoon of the murder. Id say about eighty percent of the inmates knew he was dealing clamed one inmate who was close to the action. Back in late 2014, police estimated their numbers to be over 500, but there is no telling how much that number has grown by now. He grabbed the stash of marijuana he had recently picked up, ran to the bathroom, and flushed it down his toilet. And, their numbers total in the thousands on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Blood was gushing out of a hole in his neck; he was unconscious but gasping wildly. In total, the gang had an estimated 5,000 members in Juarez and 3,000 in the United States in 2013, Insight Crime reported. There are examples of people dying or being seriously injured during initiation stunts gone wrong. Whos on trial here, Louie? demanded the intense and steely-eyed chief prosecutor, Travis McDonald, during his two-hour grilling of Luis Sandoval on May 24, 1991. Reminded that our earlier on-the-record, on-tape conversation contradicted this, he said, I have my life to think about.I made my mistakes. In your house you can walk around in the dark and not bang your shins because you know every square inch, said a former Ellis I officer. Recalling the letter deliveries and phone messages, Sandoval might have wondered just what he had gotten himself into and how deeply. Alvarez, Jimenez-Jaimes, Accord, and May were already in custody prior to yesterday. Upon graduating from Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, Joshua joined the Express-News in 2014 as a breaking news reporter. For several days, Sandoval read the Bible and considered his options. 01-07-00443-CR (Tex. By the end of the eighties, the public fretting over prison gangs had dissipated. Then hed say, Damn, I wish I had twenty dollars to go buy a couple of beers. And Id say, Just wait here, Ill be back. And Id collect fifty dollars for him. However, in the world of criminal gangs, where there is concern for nothing more than loyalty, initiation rites take a different and terrifying form. When cocaine was cheap, he sold coke; when pure coke became scarce and heroin became abundant, Garcia seized the opportunity. These tattoos commonly include cuernos (horns), and words containing the letters T and S. TDCJ intelligence files indicate that by the close of the eighties, the TS, the Mexican Mafia, and other prison gangs had developed active memberships in every major Texas city, as well as in several small towns. The procedure is referred to as clearing a TS member or running the lights. Members in prison were cleared by exhibiting documentation such as plea agreements, presentence investigation reports, judgments or other case-related document, to enable higher-ranking members to verify that the person to be cleared did not cooperate with law enforcement. b. making a financial donation . Plain and simple, many young people trying to get into this group are instructed to kill a member of a rival gang. After release from prison, a TS member is required to contact the high-ranking member in the geographical area where the released member intends to reside. Ive seen about five new boots take one step out of the control riot-gate and into the main hallway and turn around and say, See you later, said Sandoval. ), The Sandoval trial was a rare public washing of the Texas penal systems bloodstained linen. Other gangs have a voting system to determine whether the member is initiated or not. Texas Syndicate, a criminal organization whose members and associates engage in acts of violence, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion and narcotics distribution.. Others have been initiated by murdering other gang members who were in poor standing, while others still have witnessed gang members forcing themselves on their girlfriend as a rite of passage. It was their fault, not his, but someone would have to take the fall. It took more than three years for the Arredondo murder case to come to trial, during which time a number of things happened to Sandoval. The gang, like most prison gangs, has members behind bars and members on the outside, and as of the 2000's, had membership that was in the thousands (about 7,000 in 2005). He would stand at the searchers desk like he was running the building, Sandoval said. Paranoia overcame him. The recruitment techniques of gangs vary from gang to gang, but generally, they have some common recruitment techniques and requirements. The members then gather a large amount of fecal matter and urine and proceed to dump it on that new recruit. Upon their release from prison, gang members returned to Texas, renamed themselves the Texas Syndicate (TS), committed crimes, and wound up in TDCJ, where they developed an extensive network of drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution, and contract murder behind Texas prison walls. He continued to walk, step after tortured step, a full fifty yards, before collapsing, dead, in the doorway of the infirmary. I could watch him deal with inmates and think, This guy knows something I dont know., One evening, while gazing out from his apartment balcony, Sandoval saw a car drive slowly by. This gang is one of the most notorious out there and has even been mentioned directly by Donald Trump, who has pledged to eradicate them in particular. 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