Twenty-Six Year Sentenced Given in Mexican Mafia Investigation

A United States Attorney announced that Mauricio Mendez was sentenced in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge Janis L. Sammartino to serve 318 months in custody, based on his conviction for conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d) and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Mendez entered his guilty pleas on September 10, 2010.

According to public records, Mendez was prosecuted as part of “Operation Keys to the City,” a yearlong investigation conducted by the multi-agency San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force-Gang Group that targeted the criminal activities of the Mexican Mafia (or “La Eme”) and Hispanic street gangs with ties to the Mexican Mafia. In his plea, Mendez admitted joining the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang and participating in its affairs, including robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking in the Southern District of California and elsewhere. He also admitted to performing a home invasion robbery in Coronado, during which he brandished a firearm to prevent the occupants from fleeing.

United States Attorney Duffy praised the coordinated effort of the several law enforcement groups led by the Violent Crimes Task Force-Gang Group and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for the coordinated team effort culminating in today’s sentencing.

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

• Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d) - Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity
• Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii) - Brandishing a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence

AGENCIES

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• San Diego Police Department
• San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
• National City Police Department
• San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
• U.S. Bureau of Prisons
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
• San Diego County Probation Department
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) was initially established to handle charges filed against the Mafia. Because they were considered a criminal organization that repeatedly performed criminal acts at the request of a "Godfather" such as extortion, theft and robbery, the RICO Act established a pattern of behavior which allowed law enforcement to prosecute such leaders, even though they had not personally committed the crimes. If you have been charged with federal RICO violation, it is imperative you retain the services of a highly experienced Los Angeles RICO Federal Criminal Defense attorney to protect your rights. Federal criminal defense lawyers Donald Marks and Anthony Brooklier have successfully represented clients in federal court for decades.

If you are under investigation for any type of federal crime, it is critical that you contact a Los Angeles and United States federal criminal defense lawyer to discuss your case. Contact us for a free, strictly confidential, consultation 24/7.