California

Six Gangsters Linked to Mexican Mafia Convicted in Federal Racketeering Scheme

The gangsters were convicted in separate trials and more are expected to face trials later this year.

What to Know

  • Six members of a Mexican Mafia-linked street gang were convicted in a federal racketeering scheme that could send them to prison for life.
  • The gang operated out of Santa Fe Springs and Whittier.
  • One of them was convicted of an attempted assault of a fellow inmate who was thought to be a police informant.

Six members of a Mexican Mafia-linked street gang were convicted in a federal racketeering scheme that could send them to prison for life, prosecutors said Friday.

Officials described the gang that operated out of Santa Fe Springs and Whittier as a dangerous organization that caused misery in several communities.

"These convictions are part a larger case that illustrates our dedication to improve our communities by combating the mayhem caused by violent criminal gangs," said United States Attorney Nick Hanna in a statement.

Enrique "Boxer" Holguin, 56, was described as a senior member of the Canta Ranas gang. Authorities said he had direct communication with David Gavaldon, a Mexican Mafia member, currently serving a life sentence in state prison after being convicted of murder, authorities said. Holguin played a key role acting on behalf of Gavaldon and setting up a group of Mexican Mafia-affiliated inmates who controlled illegal activities inside the California Institute for Men in Chino, prosecutors said.

Holguin was also convicted of an attempted assault of a fellow inmate thought to be a police informant.

Donald "Wacky" Goulet, 31, collected taxes, once committed a violent home-invasion robbery and was tasked with helping Gavaldon expand the gang's territory into Riverside, authorities said.

Emanuel "Blanco" Higuera, 33, a member of the Brown Brotherhood, another gang controlled by Gavaldon, was found guilty of trafficking drugs on behalf of the gang, officials said.

Monica "Smiley" Rodriguez, 40, was described as one of Gavaldon's secretaries, who passed gang-related messages between Gavaldon and gang members, and acted as Gavaldon's eyes and ears on the street, prosecutors said.

Alexis "Lex" Jaimez, 30, a foot soldier, was involved in a an assault that left a victim with severe, permanent injuries, authorities said.

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