The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed a criminal complaint charging 41 alleged gang members with numerous crimes in five states, UPI reported.
A Los Angeles defense lawyer should always be called to handle gang charges in L.A. Gang enhancements can significantly increase the penalties for current and future crimes. Additionally, being associated with a gang can result in more serious penalties for future criminal charges.
And convictions as a juvenile may count as a strike even in adulthood when determining sentencing under California's three-strikes law.
Charges include murder, racketeering and drug and firearm trafficking. Twenty-nine of the suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday. Additional arrests are expected, according to authorities.
"Gangs threaten the safety and stability of neighborhoods across our nation," said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. "Gangs spread fear in our communities, trading in guns, drugs, and violence, and they cause too many young people to choose lives of crime."
Twelve alleged members of the Colonias Chiques gang in Los Angeles were indicted, along with gang members in Kansas City, Law Vegas, Washington D.C., and Texas.
"Although these cases are in different parts of the country, they illustrate the common threats gang members pose to our communities," said Kevin Perkins, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.
If your are faces gang charges or juvenile charges in Los Angeles, contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen G. Rodriguez for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
