LOS ANGELES – A member of the Big Hazard street gang was sentenced today to 156 months in federal prison for orchestrating and executing the nighttime firebombing of African-American families at the Ramona Gardens Housing Development in Boyle Heights in 2014.
Jose Saucedo, 25, a.k.a. ‘Lil’ Moe,’ of the Boyle Heights neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles, was sentenced by United States District Judge Christina A. Snyder, who described the incident as ‘a terribly violent crime’ because the attack targeted particularly vulnerable victims and because the defendant had a leadership role.
Saucedo pleaded guilty in May 2018 to four felonies: conspiracy to violate civil rights, violent crime in aid of racketeering, interference with the Fair Housing Act, and attempted arson of federal property.
‘Racially motivated crimes are among the most disturbing offenses inflicted on a community,’ said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. ‘Today’s sentence shows that criminals who are fueled by racial hatred – such as this defendant, who participated in a firebombing attack on innocent families while they slept – will face severe consequences.’
‘The defendant violently attacked families sleeping peacefully in their homes, because of their race,’ said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. ‘The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these acts of hate.’
‘Violating the civil rights of others by engaging in racial violence is antithetical to our values as Americans,’ said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. ‘The lengthy sentence handed down today for Jose Saucedo should send a strong message that targeting innocent people because of their skin color will not be tolerated and that offenders will spend a significant time behind bars.’
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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