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Transcript of Gang analysis 2010
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
December 2010
Gang
(1) : a group of persons
working together (2) : a group
of persons working to unlawful
or antisocial ends; especially : a
band of antisocial adolescents
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Contents:
National Gang Threat Summary
Gang Types
Street Gangs
Prison Gangs
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Central Region Activity
Indiana Gang Related Laws
Indiana Activity
2010 Most Prevalent Gang Identifiers
DOC STG Crimes
STG’s top ten crimes
Gangs Identified
Prevalent OMG Gangs in Indiana
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Trends in Indiana
Individual Gang Details
Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation
(National)
Gangster Disciples (National)
Vice Lord Nation (National)
Sureño
Folks and People
Hells Angels
Mongols
Outlaws
Sons of Silence
Los Zetas
Gang Members in the Military
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
National Gang Threat Summary
Gangs pose a serious threat to public safety in many
communities throughout the United States. Gang
members are increasingly migrating from urban to
suburban areas and are responsible for a growing
percentage of crime and violence in many communities.
Much gang-related criminal activity involves drug
trafficking; however, gang members are increasingly
engaging in alien and weapons trafficking. Additionally,
a rising number of U.S.-based gangs are seemingly intent
on developing working relationships with U.S.-
and foreign-based drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)
and other criminal organizations to gain direct access to
foreign sources of illicit drugs.
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Key Findings of the 2009 national gang threat assessment
The following key findings were developed by analysis of
available federal, state, and local law enforcement
information; 2008 National Drug Intelligence Center
(NDIC) National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) data; and
verified open source information:
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
• Approximately 1 million gang members belonging to
more than 20,000 gangs were criminally active
within all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of
September 2008.
• Local street gangs, or neighborhood-based street
gangs, remain a significant threat because they continue
to account for the largest number of gangs nationwide.
Most engage in violence in conjunction
with a variety of crimes, including retail-level drug
distribution.
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• According to NDTS data, 58 percent of state and
local law enforcement agencies reported that criminal
gangs were active in their jurisdictions in 2008
compared with 45 percent of state and local agencies
in 2004.
• Gang members are migrating from urban areas to
suburban and rural communities, expanding the
gangs’ influence in most regions; they are doing so for a
variety of reasons, including expanding drug
distribution territories, increasing illicit revenue,
recruiting new members, hiding from law enforcement,
and escaping other gangs.
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Many suburban and rural communities are experiencing
increasing gang-related crime and violence because of
expanding gang influence.
• Criminal gangs commit as much as 80 percent of the
crime in many communities, according to law
enforcement officials throughout the nation. Typical gang-
related crimes include alien smuggling,
armed robbery, assault, auto theft, drug trafficking,
extortion, fraud, home invasions, identity theft,
murder, and weapons trafficking.
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• Gang members are the primary retail-level
distributors of most illicit drugs. They also are
increasingly distributing
wholesale-level quantities of marijuana and cocaine in
most urban and suburban communities.
• Some gangs traffic illicit drugs at the regional and
national levels; several are capable of competing
with U.S.-based Mexican DTOs.
• U.S.-based gang members illegally cross the U.S.–
Mexico border for the express purpose of smuggling
illicit drugs and illegal aliens from Mexico into the
United States.
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• Many gangs actively use the Internet to recruit new
members and to communicate with members in
other areas of the United States and in foreign countries.
• Street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs pose a growing
threat to law enforcement along the U.S.–
Canada border. They frequently associate with Canada-
based gangs and criminal organizations to facilitate various
criminal activities, including drug smuggling into the
United States.
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Gang Types
Gangs vary extensively regarding membership,
structure, age, and ethnicity. However, three
basic types of gangs have been identified by
gang investigators:
street gangs,
prison gangs,
and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs).
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Street Gangs
Street gangs that operate throughout most of
the country are a significant threat because they
are the largest and control the greatest geographical
area. Therefore, criminal activities such as
violence and drug trafficking perpetrated by street
gangs pose the greatest threat. The threat becomes
magnified as national- and regional-level street
gangs migrate from urban areas to suburban and
rural communities, expanding their influence
in most regions and broadening their presence
outside the United States to develop associations
with DTOs and other criminal organizations in
Mexico, Central America, and Canada.
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• Currently, 11 national-level street gangs have
been identified in the United States, and
associates or members have been identified
in foreign countries, according to analysis
of federal, state, and local law enforcement
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
information. Established cells in foreign countries
assist gangs operating in the United States in further
developing associations with DTOs and other criminal
organizations in those countries. National gangs
typically have several hundred to several thousand
members nationwide who operate in multiple regions;
they may have cells in foreign countries with members
who assist the U.S.-based gangs, further developing
associations with DTOs and other criminal
organizations in those countries.
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• Regional-level street gangs3 increasingly distribute drugs at
the wholesale level. At least five street gangs, specifically
Florencia 13, Fresno Bulldogs, Latin Disciples, Tango Blast,
and United Blood Nation, have been identified as operating
at a regional-level.
A.) Typically, regional-level gangs are organized, with several
hundred to several thousand members. Regional-level gangs
may have some members in foreign countries and maintain
ties to DTOs and other criminal organizations operating in
the United States.
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Local street gangs, occasionally referred to as neighborhood-
based gangs or neighborhood based drug crews, pose a
considerable problem for local law enforcement and a
concern for federal law enforcement. Currently, most street
gangs are local-level gangs that operate in single locations.
Local street gangs usually range in membership from three to
several hundred members. Most of these gangs engage in
violence in conjunction with a variety of crimes, including
retail-level drug distribution; however, they usually have no
direct ties to DTOs or other criminal organizations.
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However, several law enforcement agencies
have reported that a few local gangs have established
ties to wholesale-level drug traffickers operating along
the U.S.–Mexico border.
In addition, law enforcement officials in communities
along the U.S.–Mexico border have noted an increase in
the number of local gang members establishing dual
membership with their counterpart gangs in Mexico.
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Prison Gangs
Prison gangs pose a serious domestic threat,
particularly national-level prison gangs that affiliate
with Mexican DTOs and maintain substantial
influence over street gangs in the communities
in which they operate. Prison gangs are highly
structured criminal networks that operate within
the federal and state prison systems. Furthermore,
these gangs operate in local communities through
members who have been released from prison.
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Released members typically return to their home
communities and resume their former street gang
affiliations, acting as representatives of their
prison gang to recruit street gang members who
perform criminal acts on behalf of the prison
gang.
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Prison gangs often control drug distribution
within correctional facilities and heavily influence
street-level distribution in some communities.
Prison gangs exert considerable control over
midlevel and retail-level drug distribution in the
Southwest Region and in southern California.
Their trafficking activities are facilitated through
their connections to Mexican DTOs, which
ensure access to a continuous supply of illicit
drugs that are distributed through their networks
in prison or are supplied to affiliated street gangs.
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• National-level prison gangs pose a significant threat, since
most maintain some type of relationship with DTOs. Of
the five identified national-level prison gangs, two have
members or associates in at least two foreign countries.
Prison gangs are well organized and governed by
established sets of rules and codes of conduct that are
rigorously enforced by gang leaders. For example,
California-based Mexican Mafia (La Eme) uses fear and
intimidation to control Hispanic street gangs whose
members are in prison and on the street in California.
Such control gives La Eme command over 50,000 to
75,000 Sureños gang members and associates.
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• Regional-level prison gangs pose a more modest, but growing,
threat because they are increasingly developing
associations with DTOs. Regional-level prison gangs have
organizational structures that are similar to those of
national-level gangs but typically are limited to operating in
one or two state prisonsystems. The most significant
regional-level prison gangs operate in Texas, and most
have ties to at least one Mexican DTO.
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• Local- or state-level prison gangs, particularly those operating
along the U.S.–Mexico border, pose a serious concern to
local law enforcement officials. Some local prison gangs
along the U.S.–Mexico border maintain longstanding ties to
Mexican DTOs. Local prison gangs typically operate within
the department of corrections in a single state. As members
are released from prison, they often settle in local
communities in which they recruit and associate with local
street gang members and conduct criminal activities on
behalf of the prison gang.
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Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
OMG-related criminal activity poses a threat to public
safety in local communities in which these gangs operate
because of their wide-ranging criminal activity, propensity
to use violence, and ability to counter law enforcement
efforts. OMGs are highly structured criminal
organizations whose members engage in criminal activities
such as violent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug
trafficking.
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OMGs maintain a strong centralized leadership that
implements rules regulating membership, conduct, and
criminal activity. As of June 2008 state and local law
enforcement agencies estimate that between 280 and 520
OMGs are operating at the national, regional, and local
levels. OMGs range in size from a single chapter to
hundreds of chapters worldwide. Current law enforcement
intelligence estimates indicate that more than 20,000
validated OMG members, divided among hundreds of
OMGs, reside in the United States.
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• National-level OMG criminal activity poses a serious
national domestic threat. National level OMGs are a
considerable concern to law enforcement because they are
highly structured organizations with memberships ranging
into the thousands, maintaining strong associations with
transnational DTOs and other criminal organizations.
In addition, national-level OMGs maintain criminal
networks of regional and local motorcycle clubs,
commonly referred to as ―support,‖ ―puppet,‖ or ―duck‖
clubs, whose members conduct criminal activities in
support of the larger OMGs, and who are a source for
new members.
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Some members of support clubs have acquired
employment with private businesses or government
agencies, which enables them to provide national-level
OMGs with business, government, and financial
information that can be used to protect their criminal
enterprises, according to open source and published
law enforcement information.
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• Regional-level OMGs are highly structured organizations
that range in size from 50 to several hundred members. In
the United States 109 regional-level OMGs have been
identified by gang investigators; most support one of the
national-level OMGs. Several regional-level OMGs
maintain independent associations with transnational
DTOs and other criminal organizations.
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• Local-level OMGs typically operate in a single state or in a
few neighboring states and have fewer than 50 members.
They are often support clubs for regional- and national-
level OMGs. Local-level OMGs usually have no ties to
DTOs or to other criminal organizations.
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Central Region
More than 5,800 gangs with approximately 222,400
members are criminally active in the Central Region,
according to NDTS 2008 data and interviews with local
law enforcement officials. Also according to NDTS
data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement
agencies in the Central Region that report gang activity
in their jurisdictions increased from 45 percent in 2004
to 55 percent in 2008. Gangs are responsible for as
much as 50 percent of the crime in some locations,
according to local law enforcement officials. The most
significant gangs operating in the Central Region are
Chicago-based Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice
Lords, and Black P. Stones.
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• Gangs, particularly those with younger gang members,
are responsible for an increasing percentage of crime in
the region.
• Hispanic gangs in the Central Region are assuming a
larger role in wholesale drug distribution.
Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:
• As West Coast-based Hispanic gangs, particularly
southern California-based Sureños 13 gangs,
expand their presence in the Central Region,6
gang-related violence associated with drug distribution
territories very likely will increase.
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• Chicago-based gangs will continue to dominate retail-
level drug distribution in most urban areas of the Central
Region.
• Chicago-based gangs will expand their presence in more
suburban areas in the Central Region as a result of gang
member migration from urban to suburban areas.
• Chicago-based gangs will develop direct access to drug
sources of supply in Mexico.
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Indiana Gang Related Laws
IC 35-45-9
Chapter 9. Criminal Gang Control
IC 35-45-9-1
"Criminal gang" defined
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "criminal gang" means a
group with at least three (3) members that specifically:
(1) either:
(A) promotes, sponsors, or assists in; or
(B) participates in; or
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(2) requires as a condition of membership or
continued membership;
the commission of a felony or an act that would be a
felony if committed by an adult or the offense of
battery
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IC 35-45-9-3
Participation in criminal gang; offense
Sec. 3. A person who knowingly or intentionally
actively participates in a criminal gang commits criminal
gang activity, a Class D felony.
IC 35-45-9-4
Threats; refusal to join or withdrawal from gang;
intimidation offense
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Sec. 4. A person who threatens another person because
the other person:
(1) refuses to join a criminal gang; or
(2) has withdrawn from a criminal gang;
commits criminal gang intimidation, a Class C felony.
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IC 35-45-9-5
Criminal gang recruitment
Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), an
individual who knowingly or intentionally solicits,
recruits, entices, or intimidates another individual to join
a criminal gang commits criminal gang recruitment, a
Class D felony.
(b) The offense under subsection (a) is a Class C
felony if:
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(1) the solicitation, recruitment, enticement, or
intimidation occurs within one thousand (1,000) feet of
school property; or
(2) the individual who is solicited, recruited,
enticed, or intimidated is less than eighteen (18) years
of age.
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IC 35-45-9-6
Restitution
Sec. 6. In addition to any sentence or fine imposed on a
criminal gang member for committing a felony or
misdemeanor, the court shall order a criminal gang
member convicted of a felony or misdemeanor to make
restitution to the victim of the crime under IC 35-50-5-3.
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Indiana Counties with
Reported Gang Activity
(2009)
Based on a City and/or
County response
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Indiana Counties with
Reported Gang Activity
(2010)
Based on a City and/or
County response
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2010 COUNTIES WITH
IDOC CONFIRMED
SECURITY THREAT
GROUP MEMBERS
BY ARRESTING
COUNTY
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DOC STG CRIMES
This year, with the assistance from the IDOC, the ISP also
queried for all crimes committed by the confirmed STGs
monitored by the DOC This information was then
compared between groups STG types (i.e. top DOC
CRIMES BROKEN DOWN BY DOC. groups, i.e. crimes
for OMG’s, Extremists, and Street Gangs), and crime
category. As suspected, drug charges were the highest
among the charges followed by burglary, robbery, theft,
murder, and weapon crimes. See the following chart
depicting crime totals for the DOC.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
The STG’s were further assessed for the top ten crimes
for each group: Hispanic Groups, white supremacist,
Folks, People, black/white extremist (i.e. Black Panthers,
Radical Racist, and Radical Ritualistic), and outlaw
motorcycle gangs.
Note: ―Att. To Commit F/M‖ is Attempt to Commit a
Felony or Misdemeanor. Some crimes are being pointed
out because they were not expected and/or for officer
safety reasons, they need to be highlighted.
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HISPANIC GANGS
1. Drugs 130
2. Burglary 70
3. Robbery 58
4. Theft 45
5. Battery 39
6. Child Molestation 33
7. Murder 33
8. Att. to Commit F/M 25
9. Att. to Commit F/M 119
10.Weapon Offenses 23
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WHITE SUPREMACIST
1. Burglary 529
2. Drugs 448
3. Theft 369
4. Robbery 259
5. Weapons 257
6. Battery 190
7. Criminal Confinement 169
8. Fraud 152
9. Traffic Offenses 23
10. Resisting Arrest 79
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FOLKS
1. Drugs 505
2. Robbery 380
3. Burglary 275
4. Theft 243
5. Fraud 246
6. Murder 179
7. Battery 169
8. Att. to Commit F/M 149
9. Criminal Confinement 103
10. Resisting Arrest 87
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
PEOPLE
1. Drugs 249
2. Robbery 163
3. Burglary 160
4. Theft 124
5. Battery 84
6. Fraud 84
7. Murder 75
8. Att. to Commit F/M 73
9. Traffic Offenses 63
10.Resisting Arrest 52
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OMG
1. Drugs 28
2. Theft 19
3. Burglary 18
4. Murder 10
5. Traffic Offenses 10
6. Robbery 9
7. Weapon Offenses 9
8. Att. to Commit F/M 8
9. Battery 7
10. Forgery 7
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EXTREMIST (BLACK OR WHITE)
1. Drugs 28
2. Burglary 18
3. Murder 12
4. Att. to Commit F/M 11
5. Robbery 11
6. Theft 7
7. Criminal Confinement 5
8. Battery 4
9. Weapon Offenses 3
10. Child Molestation 2
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
GANGS IDENTIFIED
The most prevalent gangs identified this year in
Indiana jurisdictions were as follows: 42 LK which is
unchanged from last year), 32 GD, 31 VL’s, 26 MS-13,
and 24 Sur-13. These last several years have shown a
significant number of MS-13, although it is uncertain
if those identified as MS-13 or Sur-13 are accurately
identified, since many Hispanic gangs will emulate
national gangs. However, the lack of national
connections does not make them any less of a threat
to the community. Additionally, this year showed a
growth in those who reported the Aryan
Brotherhood, with 14 reporting activity.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Below is a chart depicting the last 5 years for the top gang
affiliations in Indiana. It should be noted that statistics are
influenced by the number of respondents from year to
year, which participation has been higher during some
years. With the request of e-mails from respondents this
year, participation was significantly lower due to many
agencies not having access to law enforcement specific e-
mail.
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The following is a list of all gangs identified. Not every
agency responded, so many local gangs may not be listed.
If the gang does not have their true name next to their
abbreviation and was not already identified, then their
true name was not provided. These are only street gangs
identified in the survey.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
22's Insane Vice Lords Vatos Locos
2-6ers Insane VL Vice Lords
305 Gang Insane White Boys Victory Park Hustlers
318 Gang Jimtown WAR
4 Corner Hustlers Juggalos Wicked Ass White Boys
812 Gang Krises 4 Lyfe Wicked South Loco 13
88's La Raza Wicked Wild Boyz
Alaskan Fight Club Lakesiders Wolves
Aryan Brotherhood Latin Bishops X'ed Off
Asian Boyz Latin Counts Zoe Pound
Black Gangster Disciples Latin Dragons TOTAL: 112
Black P Stone Latin Kings
Bloods Latin Touch Boys
Boot Stompers LCB
Border Brothers LCP
Brothern Horn LID
Brown Pride Locos
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Clowns Los Zetas
CLS LSG
Criminals 18 Mafia VL
Crip Eastside Clique Mexican Mafia
Crips MHG
CSP-13 Mickey Cobras
CWB Midwest Kings
Dawg Life Milwaukee Iron
Devils Advocates MLD
DFA Fight Club Mob Squad
Dirty White Boys MOE
DWB MS-13
East Point Soldiers MOM
EPS Morgan Boys
Fam Tights North End Warriors
Fedayeen Clique Nortenos
Folks PAC
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Gangster Disciples PBG
Gaylords PBS
Goon Squad Proud Aryan Brotherhood
G Wood RK5
Hanover Skins Saints
Haughville Syndicate Sand Deigo Neo Nazis
Hoover Saxton Knights
Hybrid Skins of America Sinaloan Cowboys
Imperial Gangster Disciples Souther Sons
In Blood Lords Spanish Gangster Discples
Insane Clown Possee Spanish Vice Lords
Insane Deuces St. Mary's Boyz
SUR 13 Sureons
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Prevalent OMG Gangs in Indiana
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club
The Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club
The Mongols Motorcycle Club
The Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
NEW TRENDS AND OBSERVATIONS IN
SOME INDIANA AREAS
(Based on the Reporting Law Enforcement
Agencies—Reported as Stated/Not Assessed)
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
• Vice Lord and Gangster Disciple groups are working
together in order to promote drugs and profit in some
jurisdictions.
• Gang members are having family members and associates
provide money through their jail account using debit
transfers and/or a jail service resembling PayPal to secure
funds. These funds may be directly provided from
associates to another gang members’ account to whom the
offender owes money.
• There has been a growth in Spanish Gangster Disciples,
Imperial Gangsters, Insane Gangster Disciples, and Latin
Dragons.
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• A sharp increase in extremists groups both in prison and
out have been reported (this trend was found true in
analysis). These groups expanded the most.
• Aryan Brotherhood are charging various gangs for
protection or services while in prison. Aryan Brotherhood
tattoos have changed in some jurisdictions to include city
names.
• Observations of gangs wearing rosaries to display their
gang colors have increased.
• There is an increase in recruitment of younger gang
members.
• Gang member were not wearing traditional gang clothing
in some jurisdictions to avoid detection.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
• Outlaw motorcycle gang migration and activity have
increased in may areas throughout the state.
• The 4-Corner Hustlers and a gang called the Black
Disciples have united together in some areas to create a
gang called Outlaw Crazy (OLC).
• Some areas are observing new initiation styles, less
identifiers, and more weapons.
• Many are reporting larger Hispanic gang growth.
• Several jurisdictions reported a rise in gang related
thefts from cars.
• Some jurisdictions have observed an increase in fight
clubs associated with gangs. In some areas, this is how
gangs are initiating new members.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (National)
The Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the
1960s and consisted predominantly of Mexican and Puerto
Rican males. Originally created with the philosophy of
overcoming racial prejudice and creating an organization of
―Kings,‖ the Latin Kings evolved into a criminal enterprise
operating throughout the United States under two umbrella
factions—Motherland, also known as KMC (King
Motherland Chicago), and Bloodline (New York).
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
All members of the gang refer to themselves as Latin
Kings and, currently, individuals of any nationality are
allowed to become members. Latin Kings associating
with the Motherland faction also identify themselves
as ―Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN),‖ and make
up more than 160 structured chapters operating in
158 cities in 31 states.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
The membership of Latin Kings following KMC is
estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. The Bloodline was
founded by Luis Felipe in the New York State correctional
system in 1986. Latin Kings associating with Bloodline also
identify themselves as the ―Almighty Latin King and Queen
Nation (ALKQN).‖ Membership is estimated to be 2,200
to 7,500, divided among several dozen chapters operating
in 15 cities in 5 states.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Bloodline Latin Kings share a common culture and
structure with KMC and respect them as the Motherland,
but all chapters do not report to the Chicago leadership
hierarchy. The gang’s primary source of income is the
street-level distribution of powder cocaine, crack cocaine,
heroin, and marijuana. Latin Kings continue to portray
themselves as a community organization
while engaging in a wide variety of criminal activities,
including assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and
money laundering.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Gang Identifiers:
• 5-pointed crown
• Graffiti: a lion wearing a crown; 5-pointed crown
accompanied by the initials ―LK‖; Amor de Rey or
―ADR,‖ ―1-4-18‖, Amor de Corona, or ―ADC‖
• Colors: Black and Gold (yellow), red, and green
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Gangster Disciples (National)
The Gangster Disciples street gang was formed in
Chicago, Illinois, in the mid-1960s. It is structured
like a corporation and is led by a chairman of the board.
Gang membership is estimated at 25,000 to 50,000; most
members are African American males from the Chicago
metropolitan area. The gang is active in 110 cities in 31
states. Its main source of income is the street-level
distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and
heroin. The gang also is involved in other criminal
activity, including assault, auto theft, firearms violations,
fraud, homicide, the operation of prostitution rings, and
money laundering.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Members smuggle illicit drugs, primarily powder
cocaine and marijuana, into the United
States and transport and distribute the drugs
throughout the country. Some members also are
involved in alien smuggling, assault, drive-by shootings,
homicide, identity theft, prostitution operations,
robbery, and weapons trafficking.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Identifiers/symbols:
• six-point star
• initials "GD"
• initials "BOS" or "BOSS (Brothers of the
Struggle or Brothers of the Strong Struggle)
• the number 6
• raised pitchforks
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Mara Salvatrucha (National)
Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS 13, is one of the
largest Hispanic street gangs in the United States.
Traditionally, the gang consisted of loosely affiliated
groups known as cliques; however, law enforcement
officials have reported increased coordination of
criminal activity among Mara Salvatrucha cliques in the
Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and
New York metropolitan areas. The gang is estimated
to have 30,000 to 50,000 members and associate
members worldwide, 8,000 to 10,000 of whom reside in
the United States.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Identifiers: Mara Salvatrucha is ... known as Mara
Salvatrucha 13, MS 13, and MS XIII. They consider the
number ―13‖ to be lucky and if also shows an alliance with
Southern California Hispanic gangs. The number ―13‖ is a
reference to the thirteenth letter of the alphabet which is
―M.‖ ―M‖ is synonymous with La Eme or the Mexican
Mafia. The Mexican Mafia is a prison gang but according to
law enforcement sources, controls many Southern
California Hispanic gangs. As further evidence of the MS
alignment with Southern California, they may also use the
terms Sureño, Sureño 13, Sur or Sur 13. ―Sureño‖ is
Spanish for ―southern‖ while ―sur‖ means ―south.‖
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Vice Lord Nation (National)
Vice Lord Nation, based in Chicago, is a collection of
structured gangs located in 74 cities in 28 states,
primarily in the Great Lakes region. Led by a national
board, the various gangs have an estimated 30,000 to
35,000 members, most of whom are African American
males. The main source of income is street-level
distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Members
also engage in other criminal activity such as assault,
burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Gang Identifiers:
• 5-pointed star; top hat; martini glass; Playboy bunny;
dollar sign; cane
• Handsigns that form the letters ―VL‖
• Gold, black, and red colors
• University of Iowa, Pittsburg Steelers, and Penguins
attire; Louis Vitton (LV) caps; UNLV Jackets (UNLV-
VLNU reversed, Vice Lord Nations United)
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Sureño
Also known as: Sur Trece, Sur 13,
The term Sureño (meaning southerner) originated in
the 1960’s in the California prison system after a Hispanic
inmate from northern California was killed by a member
of the California Mexican Mafi a (La Eme). This incident,
known as ―The War of the Shoes‖, led to the formation
of La Nuestra Familia (NF) and the birth of Sureños and
Norteños. On the formation of NF, Hispanic gang
members entering the California prison system were
expected to set aside their individual street names and
rivalries and align as either Sureños under La Eme or as
Norteños under NF, which is a practice that still exists.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Gang Identifiers:
Tattoos and graffiti will often include the words
"Dieciocho", "Sureño", or "Sur", the numbers "18",
"666", or the Roman Numeral "XVIII".
18th street cliques maintain the traditional colors of
blue and white in most locations.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Folks and People
Traditional street gangs in general belong to one of two
alliances born out of Illinois, Folks or People.
Incarcerated gang members established both alliances in
the 1970’s within the penitentiary system. An easy way to
think of these alliances is in terms of football. The
National Football League and the American Football
League are basically ―alliances‖ of individual teams. At
the same time, they have games against each other, so
they might also be rivals, but they are united against the
other league.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
In the late 60’s and early 70’s, no one gang held
superiority within the Illinois department of Corrections;
however, the largest populations were Disciples, Vice
lords, Latin Kings and Blackstones. As members of
smaller gangs (Ambrose, Simon City Royals, Harrison
Gents, etc.) came into the system, they found themselves
incarcerated with their street rivals. This led to open
intimidation and retribution that had started on the
streets.
It was this scenario that led to the establishment of the
Folks and People alliances. Gangs that had street
allegiances with the Disciples were having problems with
the other three enemies of the streets, the Vice Lords,
Latin Kings, and Blackstones.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
The condition of the alliance of the Black Gangster
Disciples (Hoover) with the Black Disciples (―Shorty‖
Freeman) was that if they agreed to ―Follow and Obey all
Laws the Kings Set‖ they would have protection of the
Disciples. Thus, Folks was established using the first letter
of the key words.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
As a result of the new term ―Folks‖ showing alliance to
the Disciples, the Vice Lords, Latin Kings and other
gangs that opposed the Disciples started referring to
themselves as ―People‖. The alliances are not aligned
along racial lines: both contain Black, White, and
Hispanic street gangs.
The latest trend to have developed from recent
intelligence is that the People Folks umbrella is not as
nearly as defined as it was prior to 1997.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
With the numerous changes within each organization
and the newer ―micro‖ organization that are
developing, the lines between what was once
People/Folks have changed. Once a member leaves the
institution setting he/she may rejoin an organization
that the member was once part of prior to his/her
arrest, depending on what organization is operating in
their old neighborhood.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Some of the major Folk Nation sets are:
• Black Gangster Disciples
• Black Disciples
• Gangster Disciples
• Imperial Gangsters
• La Raza
• Spanish Cobras
• Latin Eagles
• Latin Disciples
• Maniac Latin Disciples
• Simon City Royals
• Spanish Gangster
Disciples
• Two Sixers
• International Posse
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Some of the major People Nation sets are listed below.
Latin Kings
Vicelords
Spanish Lords
El Rukns
Black P Stones
Bishops
Gaylords
Latin Counts
Kents
Mickey Cobras
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Hells Angels
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is an OMG with
2,000 to 2,500 members belonging to more than 250
chapters in the United States and 26 foreign countries.
HAMC poses a criminal threat on six continents. U.S. law
enforcement authorities estimate that HAMC has more
than 69 chapters in 22 states with 900 to 950 members.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
HAMC produces, transports, and distributes
marijuana and methamphetamine and transports and
distributes cocaine, hashish, heroin, LSD (lysergic
acid diethylamide), MDMA, PCP, and diverted
pharmaceuticals. HAMC is involved in other criminal
activity, including assault, extortion, homicide, money
laundering, and motorcycle theft.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
The following two patches are of special interest the
Filthy Few patch and the Dequiallo patch both worn
by the Hells Angels.
At one time it was thought that to wear a Filthy Few
patch a member had killed someone for the club, it is
now thought that the member has done some type of
extraordinary act for the club (usually violent).
And probably the patch that should concern law
enforcement the most is the Dequiallo patch; this
means that a club member has assaulted a member of
law enforcement.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Mongols
Mongols Motorcycle Club is an extremely violent OMG
that poses a serious criminal threat to the Pacific and
southwestern regions of the United States. Mongols
members transport and distribute cocaine, marijuana,
and methamphetamine and frequently commit violent
crimes, including assault, intimidation, and murder, to
defend Mongols territory and uphold its reputation.
Mongols has 70 chapters nationwide, with most of the
club’s 800 to 850 members residing in California.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Many members are former street gang members with a
long history of using violence to settle grievances.
Agents with the ATF have called Mongols Motorcycle
Club the most violent and dangerous OMG in the
nation. In the 1980s, the Mongols OMG seized control
of southern California from HAMC, and today Mongols
club is allied with Bandidos, Outlaws, Sons of Silence,
and Pagan’s OMGs against HAMC. The Mongols club
also maintains ties to Hispanic street gangs in Los
Angeles.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Outlaws
Outlaws Motorcycle Club has more than 1,700
members belonging to 176 chapters in the United
States and 12 foreign countries. U.S. law enforcement
authorities estimate that Outlaws has more than 94
chapters in 22 states with more than 700 members.
Outlaws also identifies itself as the American Outlaws
Association (A.O.A.) and Outlaws Nation. Outlaws is
the dominant OMG in the Great Lakes region.
Gang members produce, transport, and distribute
methamphetamine and transport and distribute
cocaine, marijuana and, to a lesser extent, MDMA.
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Outlaws members engage in various criminal activities,
including:
arson, assault, explosives operations, extortion, fraud,
homicide, intimidation, kidnapping, money
laundering, prostitution operations, robbery, theft, and
weapons violations. It competes with HAMC for
membership and territory.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Sons of Silence
Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club (SOSMC) is one of the
largest OMGs in the United States, with 250 to 275
members among 30 chapters in 12 states. The club also
has five chapters in Germany. SOSMC members have
been implicated in numerous criminal activities, including
murder, assault, drug trafficking, intimidation, extortion,
prostitution operations, money laundering, weapons
trafficking, and motorcycle and motorcycle parts theft.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Los Zetas
One of Mexico's most ruthless, tactically proficient criminal
gangs has spread from an original 31 mercenaries into a
sizable private army and criminal enterprise Los Zetas are
arguably Mexico's most ruthless and tactically proficient
criminal gang.
Essentially enforcers turned multipurpose cartel, they are
waging a brutal war against competing cartels and the
Mexican state alike. The Zetas' current situation is one of
flux. They are under immense pressure from both the state
and criminal competitors. As a result, they are waging an
increasingly brutal campaign to retain relevancy and expand
their power base.
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They could emerge from their current situation
stronger by consolidating power and expanding their
reach, or, the backlash to their campaign could force
them off the table. Either way, Los Zetas have changed
the game forever in Mexico.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
ORIGINS
Los Zetas were initially established as an
nforcement/protection arm for the Gulf Cartel (Cartel
del Golfo/ CDG) in the late 1990s. Deserters from the
Mexican special operations force, Known as GAFES
(Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales), they became
the close protection detail for Gulf cartel kingpin Osiel
Cardenas Guillen. Under the command of 'Z1' Arturo
Guzman Decenas, the original 31 Zetas brought their
skills and combat tradecraft to bear for the Gulf cartel's
business interests. Their mercenary mastery of
intelligence and operational tactics served their new
masters well
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Once in place, the original Zetas each trained a cadre of
soldiers, recruited from state and municipal police forces
And, in some cases, the rank and file of Mexico's army.
This initial group of elite bodyguards catalyzed an
evolution of lethal force and tactics used within Mexico's
criminal underworld. Late model SUVs with tinted
windows and no license plates became the normal method
of transport. Tight shot groups in Los Zetas' victims
indicated a high level of proficiency, though this particular
high-skill level has diluted over the years.
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Los Zetas brought ambushes, defensive positions,
and small-unit tactics—all long-employed by military
forces—to Mexico's criminal syndicates. They remain
one of the few criminal groups in the Americas
willing to deliberately take head on a military
checkpoint or patrol. When Los Zetas arrived, they
catalyzed an evolution of tactical knowledge and
strategic intelligence gathering that over the past 10
years has become the norm.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
From that initial foundation the Zetas grew, bringing in
Guatemalan Kaibiles to expand their depth, reaching into
other aspects of the cartel business, and ultimately
merging with the Gulf leadership to form the Company
(La Compania). They then threw off their master to form
their own cartel cum private army. Along the way, the
Zetas created a brutal mystique, and developed a brutally
protected criminal brand, today synonymous with
violence and fear across the Americas
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Their core strengths include well-honed intelligence
capabilities, exploiting grassroots networks, precision
small-unit attacks, ambushes and raids, and symbolic
violence and brutality. As a result, they are a dangerous
force across Mexico, where they have a concentration of
force, including the Mexican states of Quintana Roo,
Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo
León. In addition, they now pose a significant threat to the
solvency of state organs where they operate, especially In
the northeastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Notable incidents allegedly tied to Los Zetas include
the December 2008 execution of Mexican soldiers in
Guerrero, a 'violence-torn, impoverished southern state
where a 'dual sovereignty' exists between the elected
government and narco-criminals; the February 2009
assassination of retired Brigadier Mauro Enrique Tello
Quinones to ward off government interference;
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
and their alleged participation in a September 2008 grenade
attack in Morelia that killed eight and wounded more than
100. Los Zetas' weaponry includes rocket and grenade
launchers, assault rifles (including the AK-47 and its variants
known as the cuerno de chivo as well as modified AR-15s
and M-16s), and .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles. Their allies
include the Barrio Azteca, Texas Syndicate, Mexican Mafia,
and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gangs, remnants of the
Beltrán-Leyva organization and the Vicente Carrillo-Fuentes
organization, as well as a number of smaller drug trafficking
organizations in Colombia and Venezuela.
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GAINING INDEPENDENCE
By early spring of 2010, the Zetas split from the Gulf
cartel's control, triggering a tectonic shift in Mexican
cartel alliances. The Gulf-Zeta split broke the duopoly
known as the Company, which had been maintained by
both factions to pursue drug trafficking and distribution,
human trafficking, product piracy, kidnapping, and
petroleum theft. This shift—announced by posting
banners known as narcomantas in several Mexican
states—is currently fueling the high levels of violence
throughout much of Mexico, especially those areas
(plazas and corridors) being contested by the Zetas.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
CONCLUSION
Los Zetas have spread from an original 31 mercenaries into a
sizable private army and criminal enterprise. On the business
side of the house, they specialize in drugs, human trafficking
, small arms trafficking , extortion (street taxes), kidnapping
(levantones), murder, petroleum theft, and CD/DVD piracy.
Indeed, drug trafficking likely comprises less than half their
criminal revenuegenerating portfolio. Their current allies
include factions of the Beltrán-Leyva organization,
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
the Juarez and Tijuana cartels, Bolivian drug clans,
thirdgeneration (transnational street/prison) gangs, and
the Italian 'Ndrangheta. They conduct raids and
ambushes, and employ small unit infantry tactics
supported by intelligence operations to engage in close
quarters battle with state security forces. Assassinations
of police and political figures, including mayors and
candidates for state office, and threats against journalists
and judicial officials, round Out their violent range of
actions.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
They employ these means to thwart competition from
other gangs, to control economic spheres of influence,
and increasingly to control territory to avoid interference
from the government and determine who runs the state.
In short, the Zetas are waging criminal insurgency against
their competitors and state institutions. To do so, they
increasingly employ threats (in March 2009 they threatened
to kill Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom; in August
2010 they killed two Mexican mayors).
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
These violent attacks are also being joined by more and
more barbaric means, including a June 6, 2010,
torture/mass murder where six victims were found in a
Cancun cave with their hearts cut out and 'Z' carved in
their abdomens, a violent prelude to the recent San
Fernando massacre. The Zetas are a violent threat to
the state. They have the tactical skills to produce
insurgent-style, high-order street violence. They also
pose a significant threat to state security forces. It
remains to be seen if they can consolidate their reach
and sustain their onslaught before meeting a more
proficient rival (licit or illicit).
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
According some reports, Indiana Hispanic street gangs
have used kidnapping as a means of intimidation,
extortion, and murder in furtherance of gang rivalries,
drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. Some of
these Hispanic street gang members have been utilized by
Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations for enforcement
and distribution purposes.
Los Zetas members were reported as being responsible
for recent incidents of a kidnapping and a threat of
kidnapping for extortion taxes against Indiana residents,
which may by indicative of an emerging Los Zetas threat.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Gang Members in the Military
Members of nearly every major street gang as well
as some prison gangs and OMGs have been identified
on both domestic and international military
installations.
Deployments have resulted in gang members
among service members and/or dependents on or
near overseas bases. Additionally, military transfers
have resulted in gang members, both service members
and dependents/relatives, moving to new areas and
establishing a gang presence.
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Gang members with military training pose a unique
threat to law enforcement personnel because of the
distinctive military skills that they possess and their
willingness to teach these skills to fellow gang members.
While the number of gang members trained by the
military is unknown, the threat that they pose to law
enforcement is potentially significant, particularly if
gang members trained in weapons, tactics, and planning
pass this instruction on to other gang members. In
addition, gang members currently serving in the military
sometimes take advantage of their positions to engage
in criminal activities such as trafficking weapons and
drugs.
Donald W. Reid 2010/2011
Compiled by
Donald W. Reid
Resources:
Indiana Code
Indiana State Police
Indiana DOC
The National Gang Intelligence Center
The National Drug Intelligence Center
The National Alliance of Gang Investigators’ Associations
FBI
Montana Dept. of Corrections - Security Threat Group Task Force
Florida DOC
Los Zetas: Massacres, Assassinations and Infantry Tactics by John P.
Sullivan and Samuel Logan