O.C. gang members convicted of murder while carrying out armed robbery for Mexican Mafia
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.
Set us as preferred Two members of an Orange County street gang were found guilty of murdering a man while attempting to carry out an armed robbery under the direction of the Mexican Mafia, authorities said.The Mexican Mafia, also referred to as La Eme, is a prison gang with “immense control” over Latino street gangs in Southern California, according to the U.S.
Department of Justice.Incarcerated Mafia leaders order gang members to carry out illegal acts from behind bars and then collect a portion of proceeds from drug sales, gambling and other crimes.
Those who disobey their orders face violent retribution.On Wednesday, a jury found Ysrael Jacob Cordova, 41, aka “Trips” or “Tripper,” of Placentia and Ricardo Valenzuela, 44, aka “Solo,” of Buena Park guilty of one count of murder each in aid of racketeering, prosecutors said.
California Ralph Rocha made secret tapes documenting his tenure as an informant.Were they an insurance policy? A way to blow off steam? An early stab at a screenplay?The racketeering element of Cordova’s and Valenzuela’s charges comes with a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole and signifies that their crime was committed in order to maintain standing within a criminal organization.
Charging them with racketeering also enables prosecutors to go after the men who allegedly directed the crime from behind bars — identified in this case as Johnny Martinez, 50, and Gregory Muñoz, 38.Martinez, aka “Crow,” is a Mexican Mafia member who was in charge of criminal activities on the streets and inside the prisons of Orange County at the time of the murder, prosecutors said.While incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison in Monterey County, Martinez is accused of directing the armed robbery of a victim referred to as R.R.
more than 300 miles away in Placentia.Muñoz, ...