United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

DOJ’S ANTI-GANG INITIATIVE LEADS TO THE ARRESTS OF MEMBERS
AND ASSOCIATES OF THE TEXAS SYNDICATE PRISON GANG

FORT WORTH, Texas - A federal criminal complaint was filed earlier this week in the United States District Court in Fort Worth charging 27 members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang with drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.

Today, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers began executing search and arrest warrants throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Texas Syndicate members and their associates named in the complaint that are currently in custody are:

Robert Losoya a.k.a Minnesota, 44, Fort Worth, Texas
Ricardo Ruiz Jr. a.k.a Rick Ross, 28, Fort Worth, Texas
Harry Aguilar, Jr., a.k.a Charlie Brown, 34, Arlington, Texas
Juan Fuentes a.k.a Juanillo, 34, Grand prairie, Texas
Jimmy Guidry a.k.a Güero, 39, Fort Worth, Texas
Isiquio Herrera a.k.a Zeke, 35, Fort Worth, Texas
Jimmy Portillo a.k.a Perro, 37, Fort Worth, Texas
Daniel Ramos a.k.a Danny, 35, Fort Worth, Texas
Ruben Guajardo a.k.a Guero G, 24, Fort Worth, Texas
John Paul Figueroa, 26, Fort Worth, Texas
Richard Rubio a.k.a Chino, 26, Fort Worth, Texas
Flora Dayton, 51, Fort Worth, Texas
Walter Smith, a.k.a., Puff, 26, Arlington, Texas
David Ramos, 38, Fort Worth, Texas
Timothy Russell, 48, Hico, Texas
Selwyn Martin a.k.a Red, 43, Arlington, Texas
Andres Vasquez, Jr., a.k.a., Andy, 42, Arlington, Texas
Kim Herrmann, 48, Fort Worth, Texas
Lorenzo Azua, 34, Fort Worth, Texas
Faustino G. Fernandez, 31, Houston, Texas
Alvaro Garza, 32, Rio Grande City, Texas
Eli Palacios, 42, Fort Worth, Texas
Bobby Bradford of Waco, Texas

The complaint alleges that those arrested are members, or associates, of the Texas Syndicate prison gang, a violent prison gang established during the 1970's as a response by native Texas inmates to other prison gangs. The Texas Syndicate is a dominant prison gang in Texas. Members of the Texas Syndicate are bound by a set of strict rules which ensure loyalty and participation in the enterprise’s criminal activities and are subject to strict and harsh discipline, including death, for violating the rules. The rules require that a member continue his participation in the organization even after his release from prison. Membership is for life.

According to the complaint, the Texas Syndicate uses its power to create fear and intimidation. It offers protection for members, ensures the timely payment of drug debts, and prevents the theft of members’ drugs or money. Violent retribution is an important activity of the enterprise. Such retribution helps enforce discipline and loyalty to the organization, which is necessary to ensure the smooth running of the drug distribution business. Members and prospects are made aware that their affiliation with the Texas Syndicate requires their assistance with the criminal activity of the enterprise when called upon to do so and is an important step toward obtaining status in the organization.

The complaint alleges that beginning prior to May 1, 2007, and continuing until the present, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

The complaint was the result of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCEDTF) and the Department of Justice Anti-Gang Initiative. The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex was one of 10 target areas in the U.S. chosen to receive $2.5 million in grant funds for a comprehensive anti-gang initiative to devote extensive resources to defeating some of the most violent and pervasive gangs in the country.

U.S. Attorney Roper stated that this investigation was the result of the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Arlington Police Department, Tarrant County Metro Narcotics Task Force, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Worley.

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