Nuestra Familia Boss ‘Mad Dog’ Gets 36 Years

OAKLAND, CA – The iron grip of the Nuestra Familia gang loosened today as four of its members, including alleged top leader Andrew Cervantes, were handed lengthy federal prison sentences. The sentences, stemming from a six-year investigation, close a chapter on a reign of terror marked by brutal murders, drug trafficking, and ruthless racketeering. U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell, and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett announced the culmination of the case, revealing a network that extended from prison cells to the streets of California.

The courtroom heard damning evidence of how Andrew Cervantes, 60, aka “Mad Dog,” of Stockton, Calif., orchestrated violence even while incarcerated in a Pennsylvania federal prison. Cervantes, sentenced to 36 years, allegedly used coded letters and phone calls to direct his “regiment commanders” in generating funds through illicit activities – drug sales, robberies, and more – with the profits flowing back up the chain to imprisoned leaders. The most chilling evidence presented was a video showing the brutal stabbing of a fellow gang member in Louisiana, a hit allegedly ordered by Cervantes after the victim violated gang rules. The victim suffered 13 stab wounds.

But Cervantes wasn’t working alone. Henry Cervantes, 52, aka “Happy,” of Lodi, Calif., received a staggering 75 years in prison for his role as a “street commander” in the Bay Area. The evidence painted a gruesome picture: in September 2011, Cervantes personally stabbed two people to death in an Oakland apartment before ordering his underlings to incinerate the bodies with gasoline. Alberto Larez, 48, aka “Bird,” of Salinas, Calif., faced the harshest penalty – life plus ten years – for orchestrating a cold-blooded execution in San Jose, luring a rival to his death with false promises before shooting him point-blank in the face and neck.

The investigation also ensnared Jaime Cervantes, 33, aka “Hennessy,” of San Mateo, Calif., a younger recruit who quickly became embroiled in the gang’s violent activities. Cervantes, sentenced to 32 years, participated in three armed robberies within a year of joining the Nuestra Familia and carried out a stabbing at the direction of Larez. U.S. Attorney Stretch emphasized the significance of the case, stating that with today’s sentences, a total of 12 defendants have been convicted as a result of the lengthy investigation.

Assistant Attorney General Caldwell underscored the dangers posed by prison-born gangs like the Nuestra Familia, which often spill over into communities and unleash a wave of violence. “We will continue to target these criminal organizations, dismantle their leadership, and return the violent offenders to prison,” she stated. The FBI, the Bureau of Prisons, and numerous local law enforcement agencies were lauded for their collaborative efforts in bringing the investigation to a successful close.

The sentences serve as a stark warning: the long arm of the law will reach even the most deeply entrenched criminal organizations, and those who orchestrate violence from behind bars will be held accountable for their actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Nuestra Familia and other dangerous gangs operating within the federal system.