U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Fifteen Defendants Charged in a 37-Count Racketeering Indictment Against Lowrider Criminal Street Gang
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Iowa
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Four additional members and associates of the Lowrider Street Gang have been federally charged in a Superseding Indictment. In addition to the added defendants, a Federal Grand Jury charged members and associates with a Racketeering Conspiracy spanning from in and around 2013 to the present. In total, members and associates of the Lowrider Street Gang have been charged with five separate shootings and one stabbing against rival gang members that occurred between August 2015 and June 2020.
In August 2020, charges were previously announced for eleven members and associates of the Lowriders, a Davenport-based street gang, for various crimes including attempted murder in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, tampering with witnesses, knowingly transfer of a handgun to a juvenile, lying to the grand jury, use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations, and firearms charges. Five members or associates of the Lowriders have been charged in state court for intimidation with a dangerous weapon, willful injury, criminal gang participation, and drug-related offenses.
Two other members were previously charged with federal firearms violations. Specifically, in November 2019, Alejandro Francisco Herrera, Jr., was sentenced after pleading guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. In February 2020, Zacharia Allen Clark was sentenced to 200 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to prohibited person in possession of ammunition related to an incident in which he shot at another person in the parking lot of a Davenport nightclub. As a result of this investigation, twenty-two Lowrider Street Gang members and associates have been charged with crimes.
Those arrested on federal charges include AUSTIN NICHOLS, ADAN HERRERA, CODY HERRERA a/k/a Cody Williamson, KERRI JOANNE REITZ, JOSE MIGUEL PENA, ANDRES JOSEPH ARRIAGA, TEVIN MAXWELL LIRA, JACOB TRUJILLO, ANTONIO HERRERA, CARMELO REYES, ANGEL MORA, MARIO HERRERA, EDUARDO HERRERA SR., and ARNOLDO HERRERA. The identities of those who have not yet been arrested remain sealed at this time.
The charges were announced by Richard D. Westphal, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, and Paul Sikorski, Davenport Police Chief. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Bettendorf Police Department, Moline Police Department, and Scott County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.
“The law-abiding citizens in these neighborhoods deserve to feel safe from violent gangs such as the Lowriders, and their criminal rivals,” said Acting United States Attorney Westphal. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue this goal of community safety and use every available state and federal prosecution tool to charge those individuals committing these acts of violence.”
It is alleged the Lowrider Street Gang is a criminal enterprise that engaged in racketeering activity, namely offenses involving controlled substances; acts involving murder; and acts relating to the tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. The Lowrider Street Gang and its members are alleged to have preserved and protected the profits of the gang through the threatened or physical use of violence and kept victims and witnesses in fear of the street gang through these threats of violence. In addition, it is alleged that the Lowrider Street Gang provided support to gang members who were incarcerated for gang-related activities; and retaliated against acts of violence perpetrated against the street gang including acts of violence against rival gangs known as the West Side Mafia and Latin King street gang. The Lowrider Street Gang allegedly operated and conducted their affairs through a series of rules and policies; held regular meetings at which they discussed, planned, and otherwise engaged in criminal activity; and initiated new members through the practice of causing them to endure physical assaults conducted by members of the gang at various gang-related gatherings. It is alleged that members agreed to distribute drugs, recruited juveniles to commit violent acts for the gang’s benefit, and agreed or conspired to commit acts of violence, including acts involving murder, against rival gangs.
The charges in the indictment carry maximum penalties of between 10 years and life imprisonment. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. There is no parole in the federal court system.
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Contact
Rachel J. Scherle
515-473-9300
USAIAS-PAO@usdoj.gov
Updated April 21, 2021