Sixty-One Latin Kings Gang Members and Associates Arrested and Charged in Connection with a Racketeering and Drug Distribution Scheme
“Defendants Were Affiliated with the Austin, San Antonio and Uvalde Chapters of the Gang’s Central Region of Texas”
U.S. Attorney’s Office
October 15, 2015
Western District of Texas
(210) 384-7100
PETE PEREZ, TH—Central Region “Inca,” or leader, of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings), and 60 of his fellow members and associates are in custody facing federal and/or state charges for their roles in a racketeering and drug distribution scheme in the Austin, San Antonio and Uvalde areas.
As a result of this investigation, federal grand juries sitting in Del Rio and San Antonio have indicted 37 individuals. A state grand jury sitting in Uvalde County has indicted 28 individuals. Of those charged, 46 were arrested yesterday, 15 were arrested prior to yesterday, and four individuals remain fugitives.
That announcement was made today by United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Uvalde County/38th Judicial District Attorney Daniel J. Kindred; Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio; Christopher Combs, Federal Bureau of Investigation in San Antonio; Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston; Director Steven McCraw, Texas Department of Public Safety; and, Uvalde Police Chief Eric Herrera.
According to the federal grand jury indictments, the defendants have operated a criminal enterprise in Central Texas since 2005. Under the leadership of Texas-Central Region “Inca” Pete Perez in Austin, San Antonio Chapter “Inca” Joe Pierce and Uvalde Chapter “Incas” James Long and Jacob Mariscal, they have conspired to carry out unlawful acts including attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, robbery, various firearms offenses and drug distribution involving marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. The Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) indictment alleges that ten attempted murders, approximately ten assaults and various other acts of violence were committed as a result of a prospect initiation, leaking of sensitive information to a non-Latin King member, breaking an organizational rule, retaliation against rival gang members, and for unpaid drug distribution debts.
A complete list of those charged by federal indictment is below.
Upon conviction, the defendants facing federal charges are subject to imprisonment of up to life.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case resulted from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Uvalde Police Department. Agencies assisting with today’s arrests include the United States Marshals Service, Lonestar Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air & Marine Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, Sabinal Police Department, Austin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department.
U.S. v. PETE PEREZ, et al—Case # DR15cr1211
Charges: Conspiracy to violate RICO statute (Count 1) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Cocaine (Count 2) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 3)
** Previously in custody
Name
Age
Residence
Count(s)
Pete Perez (aka “Jerry” “Xkape”)
36
Austin
1, 3
Michael Ray Arriaga (aka “Fez)
35
Austin
1, 3
Billy Ramirez (aka “Rascal”)
34
San Antonio
1, 2, 3
James Marty Long (aka Whiteboy”, “Jimmy”)
40
Uvalde
1
Marco Antonio Martinez (aka “Cartel”)
32
Uvalde
1, 2, 3
Adrian Silva (aka “Trouble”)
23
Uvalde
1
Joe Pierce (aka “Dro”)
32
San Antonio
1, 2
Jorge Aguero (aka “Fat Rat”, “G”)
34
Uvalde
1, 2
**Edmundo Hill (aka “Dox”)
29
San Antonio
1
**Gregory Hill (aka “Chaotic”)
26
Uvalde
1, 2
**Rodolfo Rodriguez (aka “Pun”)
30
Uvalde
1
Crystal Pierce (aka “Shorty”)
30
San Antonio
1, 2
Jacob Mariscal (aka “Righteous”)
31
Uvalde
1
**Michael Anthony Hill (aka “Chip”)
28
Uvalde
1, 2
Jake Mendoza (aka “Thug”)
24
Uvalde
1, 2
Jose Rios (aka “Creeper”)
30
Uvalde
1, 3
John Andrew Silva (aka “Chuco”)
20
Uvalde
1, 2
**Abram Urbina (aka “Tank”)
24
Uvalde
1, 2
Esmerejildo Balderas (aka “Hildo”)
23
Uvalde
1, 2
George Anthony Garza (aka “Tone”)
23
Uvalde
1, 2
Alfredo Martinez (aka “Goofy”)
21
Uvalde
1, 2
Gonzalo Nandin (aka “Too Short”)
31
San Antonio
1
**Manuel Rosario-Perez (aka “Yayo”)
21
Live Oak, TX
1
U.S. v. OMAR BARAJAS, et al—Case # DR15cr1212
Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Cocaine (Count 2)
** Previously in custody; *** Fugitive
Name
Age
Residence
Count(s)
Omar Barajas (aka “Chamo” “Abby”)
35
Houston
1, 2
**Bryan Torres (aka “Doughboy”)
36
Houston
1
Miguel Flores (aka “Lucky”)
29
San Antonio
1
Albert Guadalupe Mendoza (aka “Rantick”)
33
Austin
1, 2
***Andrew Hernandez (aka “Drew”)
32
San Antonio
1
Nathan Wayne Ornelas (aka “Nate”, “Indian”)
40
San Antonio
1
***Ian Jon Gernandt (aka “Indio”)
41
San Antonio
1
Samantha Nicole Houston Goodale
27
San Antonio
1
***Matthew James Eldred (aka “Matt”)
35
San Antonio
1
Angelica Inguanzo (aka “Angel”)
32
San Antonio
1
U.S. v. MARKOZ LUNA, et al—Case # SA15cr636
Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (Count 1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance (Counts 2-6)
Name
Age
Residence
Count(s)
Markoz Luna (aka “Mark”, “King Dark”)
32
San Antonio
1-5
Michael Lara
32
San Antonio
1, 2
Gisela Cisneros
36
San Antonio
1, 2
Alfredo Lopez
36
San Antonio
1, 3