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Barrio Azteca Leader Sentenced to Life
A high-ranking member of the notorious Barrio Azteca gang was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the gang’s brutal criminal enterprise. Hector Galindo, 38, aka ‘Silent,’ was handed a life sentence in El Paso, Texas, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering (RICO) in January 2012.
Galindo, who is currently serving a 25-year Texas state sentence for murder, was a top lieutenant in the gang and served as the right-hand man to BA Captain Manuel Cardoza while incarcerated in the Texas Department of Corrections. He maintained communication with other BA captains and lieutenants in the United States and Mexico and was in charge of BA operations in Texas.
Two other Barrio Azteca soldiers, Ricardo Gonzales, 44, aka ‘Cuate,’ and Adam Garcia, 35, aka ‘Bad Boy,’ were also sentenced to 30 and 20 years in prison, respectively. Gonzales was charged with distributing drugs, picking up money from dealers, and enforcement operations within his area of responsibility, while Garcia was involved in similar activities.
The three men were charged in a 12-count third superseding indictment unsealed in March 2011 and were sentenced in the Western District of Texas. Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer said the sentences send a strong message that even the most powerful and ruthless gangs cannot evade justice.
The investigation into the Barrio Azteca gang has led to convictions against 24 gang members and leaders, including for the U.S. Consulate-related murders in Juarez, Mexico, in 2010. The gang’s activities posed a significant risk to citizens on both sides of the border, and the FBI’s commitment to aggressively pursuing the gang was evident in the sentencing.
The successful prosecutions of Galindo, Gonzales, and Garcia, and the conviction of other Barrio Azteca members reinforce the reality that wherever these dangerous organizations operate, law enforcement will aggressively follow, investigate, and prosecute. The DEA and its partners will continue to work together to bring to justice those responsible for promoting violence and managing drug trafficking activities.
A total of 35 Barrio Azteca members and associates based in the United States and Mexico were charged in the third superseding indictment for allegedly committing various criminal acts, including racketeering, narcotics distribution and importation, retaliation against persons providing information to U.S. law enforcement, extortion, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and murder.
RELATED: Barrio Azteca Boss Garcia-Garcia Sentenced to 12 Years for RICO Violation
RELATED: Barrio Azteca Boss Garcia-Garcia Gets 12 Years for RICO Violation
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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