Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteños Gang Members Charged in 8 Murders

SAN JOSE – A federal grand jury has handed down an indictment charging 11 South Bay residents with taking part in a racketeering conspiracy to promote the aims of the Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteños (SAP Norteños) street gang.

The indictment, filed on April 18, 2024, and unsealed today, describes a staggering list of crimes including eight murders during the last five years, multiple additional shootings, drug and gun distribution, and other related crimes allegedly perpetrated by the defendants on behalf of the street gang.

“The allegations in the indictment, if proven, describe a group that has a wanton disregard for life and an extreme penchant for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “The dozens of crimes outlined in the complaint describe a vicious gang that, for example, uses beatings as a hazing for membership and death as a penalty for trying to leave the group.

The 11 defendants are as follows: Gil Vasquez, aka “Rhino;” 35, Rigoberto Ramirez Jr., aka “Scooby,” 36; Sergio Hernandez Jr., aka “Mono,” 35; Juan Alvarez, aka “Yogi,” 38; Bertin Medrano, aka “Dre,” 30; Jose Mexicano, aka “Armani,” 25, Salvador Mexicano, aka “Jumpshot,” 20; Raul Coronel Suarez, aka “Ray,” 20; Gustavo Garcia, aka “Tatis,” 25; Lorenzo Garcia Jr., aka “Chito,” 30; and Jose Saldana aka “Chepe,” 19.

According to the indictment, the SAP Norteños are a street gang that originated in a Salinas apartment complex by the same name. The group is now recognized as a clique within the larger collection of Norteño criminal street gangs.

The indictment lists more than three dozen criminal acts that the defendants are alleged to have committed. The list of crimes includes eight murders, one that occurred in July 2014, and another seven that occurred between December 2019 and December 2023. The murder victims include people who defendants perceived were associates with rival gangs, transient men, and men perceived to have dropped out of the SAP Norteños.

In addition to the murder allegations, additional crimes described in the indictment that allegedly were committed by the defendants include robberies of individuals at gunpoint; the firebombing of a Salinas apartment; the distribution of drugs including fentanyl, meth, and other related crimes.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Salinas Police Department this afternoon, and marks a major effort to dismantle the SAP Norteños and hold its members accountable for their alleged crimes.

“The charges against the eleven South Bay residents signify a concerted effort to dismantle criminal enterprises and hold individuals accountable for their alleged involvement in egregious organized crime,” said San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.