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Mexican Mafia Members Charged with Racketeering, Murder
A 33-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed on an undisclosed date charges 31 members and associates of the Orange County Mexican Mafia with racketeering offenses, two murders and six attempted murders, and related drug and gun charges.
The indictment includes charges of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder and attempted murder, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, using a firearm to cause a death, and other firearm charges.
The Orange County Mexican Mafia allegedly preyed on vulnerable communities through fear, violence, and intimidation. The indictment alleges that the OC Mexican Mafia members divided control of various areas in Southern California, with the member in control of a specific area controlling the criminal activities in that respective territory and receiving “taxes” paid by gangs to allow them to deal drugs in that area.
The indictment alleges that defendants Johnny Martinez, Robert Aguirre and Dennis Ortiz were the OC Mexican Mafia members in charge of criminal activities in Orange County and within Orange County jail and prison facilities from 2016 to at least April 2022. These defendants held positions of authority within the Orange County Jail and controlled the majority of local gangs in Orange County.
The violent crimes alleged against the OC Mexican Mafia include the Jan. 19, 2017, armed robbery and shooting death of an individual.
According to Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., the Mexican Mafia allegedly preyed on vulnerable communities through fear, violence, and intimidation. The indictment sends a clear message that the Criminal Division, and our federal, state, and local partners, remain committed to protecting all of our communities from violence and exploitation.
The case is the latest in the ongoing joint efforts to target gangs and drug networks that fuel the violence in our communities. The Mexican Mafia in Orange County rules by threatening violence and exacting violence on their enemies or against their own members who don’t follow strict rules.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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