Federal and local law enforcement agencies carried out a large-scale operation in Orange County, resulting in the arrest of dozens of suspects tied to what authorities describe as one of the most powerful prison-based gangs in the United States.
William La Jeunesse detailed the scope of the crackdown, stating, “A major operation Sandra, targeting one of the nation’s most feared prison gangs, the Mexican Mafia.”
He added, “As you said, 6am this morning, the FBI and seven local SWAT teams arresting 45 suspects from around Orange County.”
According to La Jeunesse, the suspects face “66 felony counts, drug dealing, kidnapping, assault, extortion and murder.”
He noted that those taken into custody were transported for processing.
“All suspects then brought to the Santa Ana police station for processing,” La Jeunesse said.
The indictment sheds light on the structure and reach of the organization.
“The Mexican Mafia is known as the gang of gangs because all Latino gang members, Latin Kings, serenos, East siders, doesn’t matter,” La Jeunesse said.
He added, “Ultimately, all answer to the Mexican Mafia.”
While the organization operates primarily from within correctional facilities, its influence extends far beyond prison walls.
“And while it is a prison gang, all the associates you see here on the outside, still answer to one person behind bars,” La Jeunesse said.
He also addressed the origins of the group. “Mexican Mafia has nothing to do with Mexico,” La Jeunesse said.
He explained, “It was formed in the 50s by Mexican American inmates, and now it is the most powerful gang in this state.”
He added that the group commands a large following, with “1000s of Latino gang bangers following their orders.”
Robert Rodriguez described the types of crimes linked to the organization.
“A lot of the crimes are stem from narcotics, street sales, drug trafficking, extortion, up to you know, robberies, assaults and murders,” Rodriguez said.
La Jeunesse identified a key figure allegedly directing operations from prison.
“In this area, the main shot caller is Luis Cardenas, aka TIA or gangster,” he said.
Cardenas is “serving 25 to life or bludgeoning a man to death at a pizza parlor in 2004,” according to La Jeunesse.
Despite being incarcerated, authorities say leadership continues to manage criminal activity through illicit communications.
“He is serving time in two state prisons where associates smuggle in contraband on cell phones,” La Jeunesse said.
He added that these devices allow communication through encrypted applications.
“Then he would tell people on the outside what drugs to buy and where, what businesses to extort,” La Jeunesse said.
He further stated, “Who gets beat with a hammer until they pay their taxes.”
Bill Essayli described the structure of the organization and how it maintains control. “Mexican Mafia is a very unique organization,” Essayli said.
He added, “All the hierarchy are in prison.”
According to Essayli, “The inmates in prison run the operation from inside, behind bars, and they exert control over neighborhood street gangs.”
He specified that influence extends over “Hispanic street gangs.”
The investigation relied heavily on surveillance and intelligence gathering.
“So this investigation required a lot of wire taps and confidential informants,” La Jeunesse said.
He also explained how the gang enforces compliance among members and associates.
“The reason you pay your taxes, one, allows you to keep the mafia, allows you to keep your territory there for your income,” La Jeunesse said.
He added that compliance carries additional implications for those incarcerated.
“But secondly, if you’re sent to jail or prison, now you have protection from the mafia,” he said.
La Jeunesse concluded, “And without that, it’s probably not too pleasant.”
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