9 Gangmembers Charged In Bay Area Racketeering Case: Feds

OAKLAND, CA — Nine men have been charged with racketeering in connection with a spate of gang violence that impacted the Bay Area, federal prosecutors said.

The men are accused of being part of two Oakland-based Sureño street gangs, who committed murders, attempted murder, trafficking drugs and firearms.

Six of the nine defendants were taken into custody in connection with the crimes on Wednesday. Two others were already in custody, has yet to be found, according to the Department of Justice.

They were identified as the following:

• Marvin Bonilla, 24
• Edwin Cano-Merida, 24
• Cesar Rolando Lucas-Pablo, 28
• Walfer Mendoza-Mendoza, 31
• Gonzalo Pablo, 25
• Jeronimo “Orlando” Pablo-Carrillo, 41
• Mario Pablo-Matias, 24
• Raymundo Pablo-Matias, 31
• Carlos Ramiro-Mendoza, 28

“Like people everywhere, the residents of Oakland deserve safe and peaceful neighborhoods, not ones filled with fear and senseless violence," United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "The Administration has made it clear that enough is enough."

The street gang is responsible for the 2019 murders of at least two people they perceived as rival gang members, federal prosecutors said. They also tried to kill at least three other people, they added.

The Oakland Sureños gangs are made up of multiple cliques that are part of the larger Sureños criminal street gang, authorities said.

The ones targeted in the indictment made up the San Antonio Park clique, whose primary turf is around the Estuary Park area, and the South Side Locos, who claim the area along the 1300 and 1400 blocks of 72nd Avenue, federal prosecutors said. The South Side Locos, as of 2017, had expanded into the Arroy Viejo Park area, authorities said.

The Sureños answer to the Mexican Mafia prison gang, authorities said.

Each defendant has been charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, according to federal prosecutors.

If found guilty, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, authorities said.

“These individuals have caused lasting damage to our community for years,” said Assistant Chief James Beere of the Oakland Police Department. “Their violent actions, including shootings and homicides, have left families mourning and communities forever changed."