This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Mara Salvatrucha book author talks about anti-gang worker arrest
Listen
Mara Salvatrucha book author talks about anti-gang worker arrest
The author of a new book about a violent Salvadoran gang that operates in Los Angeles interviewed the head of an L.A. anti-gang organization before police arrested the man for alleged gang activity.
Writer Samuel Logan says Homies Unidos founder Alex Sanchez had had enough of the gang life as he grew older.
Samuel Logan: "The freedom, the street life, the drugs, the girls, the music, the camaraderie. He was able to look past that as he got older and matured and looked into this future and saw that he wanted to have kids, saw that he wanted to have sort of a stable life, because they say in the MS-13 there are three destinations that you can go: the hospital, the grave, or the prison."
Logan is author of This is for the Mara Salvatrucha – Inside the MS-13, America’s Most Violent Gang. He spoke with KPCC’s "Patt Morrison." Sanchez is awaiting trial on charges he’s worked with the MS-13 gang as he ran Homies Unidos.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
