Gang Member Sentenced For Racketeering, Role In 3 Murders: Court

SAN JOSE, CA — A Norteno gang member from Salinas was sentenced in federal court in San Jose Wednesday to 36 and a half years in prison for a racketeering conspiracy that included participation in three murders.

Antonio Cruz, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh, who also ordered him to pay $325,000 in restitution.

He pleaded guilty last year to racketeering conspiracy and six other charges. In his plea agreement, he admitted that as part of the conspiracy, he committed one murder and provided guns used in two other murders of victims believed to be rival Sureno gang members in Salinas in
2009 and 2010.

Cruz was one of nine people indicted in 2015 on charges of racketeering conspiracy and other crimes in Norteno gang activity. Three other defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges and given sentences ranging from 12 to 17 and a half years in prison.

In addition to participating in three murders, Cruz admitted to taking part in two attempted murders and being the getaway driver in four armed robberies in Gilroy, San Jose and Watsonville between 2009 and 2011.

—Bay City News