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Inland Empire Targets International Gangs
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Inland Empire Targets International Gangs
Inland Empire Targets International Gangs
Gang members who are illegally in the United States are now on notice in Riverside County. Prosecutors there are teaming up with federal authorities to crack down on what they say is the increasing presence of international gangs. KPCC's Inland Empire reporter Steven Cuevas has the story.
Steven Cuevas: According to county District Attorney Rod Pacheco, Latino and Asian gangs, like MS-13 and Wah Ching, are everywhere.
Rod Pacheco: MS-13 is found in San Jacinto and Murrieta ... 18th Street gang, found in Banning, Hemet, Murrieta, Harris ... Oriental Boys in Moreno Valley, Tiny Rascal gang in Murrieta and Temecula...
Cuevas: The DA says there about 250 known illegal immigrant gang members in the county – not a lot when compared to L.A. County. But these people are considered among the most ruthless. Pacheco reviewed a few rap sheets at an afternoon news conference.
Pacheco: Manuel Waco. Pretty brutal killing, right in the streets. He got out of his car, walked up to the victim, and shot the victim in the forehead. Interestingly enough, that was during a smuggling operation...
Cuevas: The U.S. Justice Department has granted Riverside County prosecutor temporary federal authority. That person, who is yet to be named, will target illegal immigrant gang members for deportation. U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien:
Thomas O'Brien: My office currently spends considerable resources on prosecuting illegal reentry prosecutions consisting of almost exclusively of street gang members who have been deported following their convictions of federal crimes. And now with the leadership of Rod Pacheco, we anticipate we will be able to identify and prosecute even more criminal aliens who deserve to be locked up...
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Cuevas: The special appointment will last one year. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will also assist the Riverside County Gang Task Force.
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