<![CDATA[ - NWG Blog/Updates]]>Sat, 18 May 2013 10:48:27 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Another life taken away on North Track Road]]>Mon, 06 May 2013 17:15:59 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/05/another-life-taken-away-on-north-track-road.htmlThis morning I woke up to the news that another young man was shot and killed on North Track Road in Wapato, Washington.  For those not familiar with North Track Road, it is a long country road that runs from Parker, WA to Toppenish, WA.  A particular stretch through Wapato has been the scene of numerous gang-related shootings and homicides.  This area is a Norteno strong hold, mostly controlled by Original Loko Boyz and Loko Boy Gangstaz.  

The homicide victim this morning has been identified as Abel Velasquez who appears to be affiliated with the LBGz gang.  Two other men with him were also shot this morning.  One of them was targeted in a February shooting not far from this mornings shooting, where he was shot in the head and some how survived.

I'll update later as I find out more info.

-Brad-]]><![CDATA["OG Vamp" from 9-2 Hoover gunned down in South Seattle]]>Wed, 01 May 2013 17:45:45 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/05/og-vamp-from-9-2-hoover-gunned-down-in-south-seattle.htmlHey I'm following up on a early morning shooting in South Seattle that killed "OG Vamp" from 9-2 Hoover.  He was killed near the memorial for "OG Ratt" who was shot and killed on April 10th.  "OG Vamp" has been around Seattle since about 1987 when he came up here from Los Angeles with other Hoover and Kitchen Crip gang members during the height of the crack/cocaine epidemic of the 1980's.

-Brad-

Update:  I already knew this, but I've confirmed the South Seattle homicide victim from this morning is Derrick Lamar (OG Vamp) Hargress.  He was either 50 or 51-years old.  He made numerous headlines in the late-1980's for being involved in the drug-trafficking business (crack/cocaine) in Oklahoma City and Seattle.  He served 20 years in Federal prison, being released in 2008.  In 2010 he made headlines again for promoting prostitution, kidnapping and rape of a 22-year old woman at an Aurora Avenue hotel, where he also dealt marijuana and cocaine from.

I was told "OG Vamp" had been camping outside the memorial of his fellow homie, Ritchie "Ratt Loc" Williams, who was also shot and killed on April 10th in South Seattle.  That is where he was shot at early this morning.  No arrest have been made in either case.]]><![CDATA[West Seattle home is target of at least 3 shootings in recent months]]>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:38:57 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/04/west-seattle-home-is-target-of-at-least-3-shootings-in-recent-months.htmlThe latest shooting targeting a home in West Seattle's Delridge neighborhood seems more likely that a on-going feud between two rival gangs are behind the frequent gun play.

Seattle Police gang unit confirm the house that sits near the intersection of SW Cloverdale Street & 20th Avenue SW is associated with the Varrio Locos gang, and has been shot at 3 times in recent months.  On a recent drive-thru I spotted a handful of "VL 13" taggings located in the alley near this residence.

The latest incident of gunfire occurred on April 2nd, 2013.  Multiple callers phoned 911 and reported shots in the area of 20th Avenue SW & SW Cloverdale Street.  Responding officers located the scene and was flagged down by an adult female.  She stated she saw two men shooting at the house and then they ran to a gold colored Ford Taurus and drove away northbound on 20th Avenue SW.

The targeted home owners recently installed a security camera on the outside of their home due to the recent shootings.  The camera captured a four door vehicle park onto 20th Avenue SW, just north of the intersection.  Two male suspects walked to the sidewalk adjacent to the home and produced two handguns.  They pointed the guns in the direction of the home and fired at least eight gunshots.  Then ran back to the car and drove away like the witness stated.

Seattle Police interviewed the residents and others who came to the scene after the shooting was reported.  Two individuals (who I will keep anonymous) stated they were both outside the home earlier in the day, when a Chevrolet Malibu drove past and the occupants yelled "Fuck You" at one of them.  They recognized the occupants as some of the same persons who had driven by them the day prior and flashed gang signs and yelled "What's up" at them.  This incident occurred near the Lousia Boren building at Delridge Way SW & SW Juneau St.  During that confrontation the persons yelling at them were in a gold four door Taurus type vehicle which is similar to the drive-by suspect vehicle.

The two identified a black male as one of the persons who drove past the home earlier in the day in the Malibu.  It is believed the suspect has family connections to the "Hoover Criminal" gang in West Seattle.  They also stated that the suspect is in a dating relationship with a white female who owns the Malibu which is registered in Snohomish County.  

The scene was cleared, and all the info gathered was forwarded to gang detectives.  No injuries were reported.]]><![CDATA[Vancouver listing updated]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:14:05 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/04/vancouver-listing-updated.htmlWith the help of some new info released by the Clark County safe community task force, I have updated my gang listing for Vancouver, Washington.  This is located under the "Western Washington" tab, and scroll towards the bottom of the page.  You can also see the full report, by clicking on the file attached below.
clark_county_wa_gang_assessment.pdf
File Size: 1430 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Brown Magic Clica gang members face serious prison time in Federal criminal cases]]>Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:37:06 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/04/brown-magic-clica-gang-members-face-serious-prison-time-in-federal-criminal-cases.htmlBOISE – Wendy J. Olson, United States Attorney for the District of Idaho, announced the sentencings this week of Oscar Garcia, 27, of Umatilla, Oregon, and Juan Anthony Jimenez, 29, currently incarcerated at the Idaho State Department of Correction (IDOC), for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Garcia, also known as “Bubba” and “Tiny,” was also sentenced for attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Garcia was sentenced on Monday to 124 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Jimenez, also known as “Loco,” was sentenced today to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty on January 18, 2013.

Garcia and Jimenez are the final federal defendants to plead guilty and be sentenced as part of the eleven-defendant Brown Magic Clica gang conspiracy originally charged in March 2011. Two other individuals were charged separately in BMC gang related cases. Ten defendants also have been convicted and sentenced in state court. The prosecution and sentencings mark the first federal RICO gang prosecution in the District of Idaho.

“Working together, federal and state prosecutors, federal, state, county and local law enforcement produced a significant victory against gang crime in Idaho and eastern Oregon,” said Olson. “The multiple convictions of Brown Magic Clica members under the federal RICO statute demonstrate that we will meet the gang business of violence and intimidation with federal tools designed to disrupt this criminal conduct. To be sure, no law enforcement agency could have done this alone.”

Thirteen defendants, including Garcia and Jimenez, were charged in March 2011 in three separate federal indictments. Eleven defendants pleaded guilty earlier and were sentenced to serve federal prison time:

  • Alfredo Castro, a/k/a “Papos,” 26, currently incarcerated at IDOC, was sentenced on August 20, 2012, to 168 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
  • Adelaido Gomez, a/k/a “Guy,” 28, currently incarcerated at IDOC, was sentenced on December 13, 2012, to 125 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
  • Jessie Rodriguez, a/k/a “Pelon,” 28, of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced on February 21, 2012, to 115 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, aid and abet; and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, aid and abet.
  • Amando Garcia, Jr., a/k/a Amando Torres, a/k/a “Toro,” 29, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced on February 25, 2013, to 96 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. At sentencing, Garcia renounced his membership in the BMC gang.
  • Samson Torres, a/k/a “Gremlin,” 24, of Ontario, Oregon, was sentenced on January 9, 2012, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. He was also fined $2,000.
  • Salvador Apodaca, a/k/a “Bugz,” 26, of Pendleton, Oregon, was sentenced on February 6, 2012, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering.
  • Adam Gomez, a/k/a “Lil Toro,” 25, of Fruitland, Idaho, was sentenced on April 16, 2012, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
  • Mathew Grover, a/k/a “Dreamin” 24, of Fruitland, Idaho, was sentenced on January 9, 2012, to 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and unlawful possession of a firearm. Grover was also fined $2,000.
  • Juan Gonzalez, a/k/a “Chango,” 28, of Nampa, Idaho, was sentenced on October 16, 2012, to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
  • Ruben Nungaray, a/k/a “Shorty,” 32, a former member of the BMC gang, pleaded guilty in July 2011, to unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced on November 28, 2011, to 92 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
  • Crista Lydia Lara, 25, of Ontario, Oregon, an associate of the BMC gang, pleaded guilty in November 2011, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She was sentenced on February 22, 2012, to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.



The convictions are the result of a three-year Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force investigation named “Operation Black Magic,” which focused on the criminal activity of members of the BMC gang from 2006 to 2010. According to court documents, the defendants admitted that, as part of their participation in the BMC gang, they agreed that members of the gang would commit racketeering acts, including committing, attempting, conspiring and soliciting crimes of murder, arson, witness intimidation and retaliation, and distribution of controlled substances. BMC rules required members to engage in acts of violence toward witnesses in criminal investigations against BMC members, against rival gang members, and against other BMC members who did not follow BMC rules. BMC conducted gang meetings where gang business and criminal activity were discussed, dues were collected, and discipline was administered to members in the form of timed physical assaults conducted by multiple members. BMC members commonly used and distributed controlled substances, and also possessed and transferred firearms among members of the gang. The investigation of the BMC gang revealed that, from 2006 to 2010, BMC members committed two murders and at least seven attempted murders. The seven attempted murders included three “drive-by shootings” in Ontario, one shooting at the vehicle of a person delivering newspapers in Caldwell, Idaho, one shooting toward a crowd at a child’s baptism party in Payette, Idaho, and one stabbing of a person with a knife at a gas station in Caldwell. The investigation further showed that BMC gang members ordered, solicited, and conspired to commit numerous other murders and assaults.

Seventeen gang members and associates also were charged in state court, primarily on gang recruitment charges. Ten of those defendants were convicted and have been sentenced. One defendant is awaiting sentencing; another, Martin Navarro, 30, of Nyssa, Oregon, failed to appear for trial. A warrant is outstanding for his arrest. The other five defendants’ cases were dismissed as a result of the Idaho Supreme Court’s 2012 decision in State v. Simona Manzanares, interpreting Idaho’s gang statute.

  • Luis Nungaray, 26, of Boise, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on August 20, 2012, to two years fixed followed by two years indeterminate, for a total sentence of four years. The sentence was suspended and Nungaray was placed on probation for a period of two years.
  • Jose Jimenez, 28, of Nyssa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Thomas J. Ryan on August 29, 2012, to two years fixed followed by three years indeterminate, for a total sentence of five years. The sentence was suspended and Jimenez was placed on probation for a period of three years.
  • Cesar Salinas, 31, of Nyssa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on August 10, 2012, to two years fixed followed by two years indeterminate, for a total sentence of four years. The sentence was suspended and Salinas was placed on probation for a period of three years.
  • Paul Espinoza, 22, of Ontario, Oregon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge James C. Morfitt on May 21, 2012, to probation, with the judgment withheld for a period of three years.
  • Ricardo Martinez, 26, of Ontario, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on June 19, 2012, to two years fixed followed by three years indeterminate, for a total sentence of five years. The sentence was suspended and Martinez was placed on probation for a period of three years. Martinez violated his probation and Judge James C. Morfitt revoked his probation, imposed the original sentence, and retained jurisdiction for a period of 365 days on January 11, 2013.
  • David Perales, 22, of Ontario, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge George Southworth on February 19, 2013, to two years fixed followed by four years indeterminate, for a total sentence of five years. The sentence was suspended and Perales was placed on probation for a period of three years.
  • Miguel Gallegos, 29, of Vale, Oregon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on April 23, 2012, to two years fixed followed by four years indeterminate, for a total sentence of four years. The sentence was suspended and Gallegos was placed on probation for a period of two years.
  • Juan Esteban Gonzalez, 26, of Nampa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on December 17, 2012, to two years fixed followed by three years indeterminate, for a total sentence of five years. The sentence was suspended and Gonzalez was placed on probation for a period of three years.
  • Jonathan Lopez-Villa, 27 of Caldwell, pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony and was sentenced by Judge Renae J. Hoff on August 10, 2012, to 364 days fixed. The sentence was suspended and Lopez-Villa was placed on probation for three years.
  • Roberto Martinez, 28, of Oregon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to recruit gang members and was sentenced by Judge James C. Morfitt on May 21, 2012, to two years fixed followed by four years indeterminate, for a total sentence of six years. The sentence was suspended and Martinez was placed on five years of probation. A probation violation was filed on January 16, 2013; a warrant is outstanding for his arrest.
  • Gonzalo Garcia-Torres, 26, of Oregon, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2012, to conspiracy to recruit gang members. Sentencing is pending while he serves time in Oregon on unrelated charges.



Together, federal and state courts sentenced twenty-three defendants to more than 136 years in prison.

“The federal and state prosecution of BMC gang members and associates is a victory for our community,” said Bryan Taylor, Canyon County Prosecutor. “This office will continue to work with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that violent street gangs who threaten our communities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The convictions and sentencings of these twenty-three gang members and associates makes our community safer.”

“I believe law enforcement officers and administrators from local, state and federal agencies in the Treasure Valley are making their message abundantly clear to the criminally inclined,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “If you want to be a gang member and conduct illegal activity in our cities and counties we will identify you, arrest you, convict you and send you to prison. We are not intimidated by you nor will our efforts be deterred, I promise you.”

“Here we have twenty-three gang members and associates who, thanks to the cooperative efforts of the federal government and local law enforcement, have been arrested, convicted and sent away to prison,” said Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney. “This case would not have happened were it not for the ability to have that cooperative effort.”

Chief of Police Mark Alexander of the Ontario, Oregon Police Department stated that the BMC case has had a positive impact on gang crime in Ontario, and that the number of gang crimes in 2012 was down 50% from 2010 levels.

The federal racketeer influenced corrupt organizations (RICO) law prohibits individuals from participating, or conspiring to participate, in the conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. An enterprise is defined as any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity. Racketeering activity is defined as specified criminal acts, including murder, arson, distribution of controlled substances, and intimidation and retaliation against witnesses.

The investigation included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Department of Correction, Malheur (Oregon) County Sheriff’s Office, Meridian Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Nyssa Police Department, Ontario (Oregon) Police Department, Oregon State Police, Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

]]><![CDATA[74 Hoover "OG Richie Ratt" shot last night in South Seattle]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:53:13 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/04/74-hoover-og-richie-ratt-shot-last-night-in-south-seattle.htmlBoth of the victims from last night’s shooting remain at the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.   This remains an active  investigation.

Last night, at 11:30 pm, South Precinct officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired near Rainier Avenue South and South Austin Street.  Witnesses then reported that two men had been shot.  The first victim, a 37-year-old man, was located just west of Rainier Avenue South and South Austin.  He had been shot in the head and was transported to Harborview Medical Center by medics.   The second victim, a 25-year-old man, was located by officers at Rainier Avenue South and South Fountanelle Street with gunshot wounds to the stomach and leg.  He was also transported to HMC and is expected to survive his injuries.

Officers located multiple shell casings on the sidewalk in the 4800 Block of South Austin.  Homicide detectives responded and processed the scene and have begun their investigation.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact Seattle Police.

]]><![CDATA[March 28th, 2013]]>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:15:24 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/03/march-28th-2013.htmlI'm gonna be following up on what appears to be a gang-related shooting death in Portland yesterday.  A 18-year old man named Edward J. Paden was killed at a gas station.  He had ties to a local Crip street gang.  I should be able to post more details later.

-Brad- Picture
RIP Edward Paden Jr.
]]><![CDATA[RIP Video]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:23:29 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/03/rip-video.htmlThis video showed up on Youtube today, paying respect I guess to the man shot and killed in Sedro-Woolley, Washington yesterday.  Pablo "Ese Locs" Garcia 1991-2013.
]]><![CDATA[Possible gang murder in Sedro-Woolley]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:59:26 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/03/possible-gang-murder-in-sedro-woolley.htmlI'm getting word of a gang-related murder in Sedro-Woolley, Washington this evening.  I don't want to publish names yet, but it's looking like a well known member of South Side Kings was shot and killed on Ball Street tonight.  I'll update more on this tomorrow.

-Brad-]]><![CDATA[Wapato Police investigating gang-related shooting]]>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:57:41 GMThttp://nwgangs.com/2/post/2013/02/wapato-police-investigating-gang-related-shooting.htmlJust a quick post tonight.  Wapato Police are investigating a near fatal shooting that took place outside a mini market at Donald Road & North Track Road.  As of today the victim is still in critical condition, and has been identified as "Render" from the La Raza (Norteno) street gang.  The neighborhood surrounding this market is a Norteno strong-hold, with numerous other shootings taking place at or near this intersection in past years.  I'll update if his condition changes.

-Brad-]]>