But Lizards exploits show how prison policies adopted to control gangs such as Nuestra Familia may actually have helped them bloom. Theyre trying to say that when I met Robert Gratton I started selling drugs for him, and to finance the G.U.N. The "filter," or official paperwork announcing the hit, came down to Jacobs, who, by this time, had developed a close friendship with Viramontes. Copyright Weeklys All rights reserved. It took 26 years for death to catch up to Donald Ramon Ortiz. Lizard is disappointed that he never got his moment on the witness stand. Lizard had been hiding out along the East Coast, a snitch buried deep inside federal protective custody. But one year later, his family moved to Long Beach, the heart of Sureo country. Big Smiley immediately ordered his soldier to enforce gang law back in C-Facility. Click here to read the Nuestra Familia constitution. At a hearing last month, Steven Gruel, US assistant attorney and Chief of Major Crimes, told the court that Sir Dynos limited role with Nuestra Familia made no difference under the law: It doesnt matter if you associate with a RICO enterprise for five years or five minutes; it still makes you part of the conspiracy.. When Lizard arrived in January of 1995, he checked in with the ranking gang member. CD, Lewis and Helton say. Former leaders include James "Tibbs" Morado, Joseph "Pinky" Hernndez, Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, Cornelio Tristn and Tex Marn Hernndez. Grattons information cast a domino effect, eventually leading to 21 cooperating witnesses for the government. At any one time, an estimated two to three hundred members are incarcerated there, including the gangs top three generals. I didnt know the guy was selling drugs, too. According to an FBI report, Cuete and his cohorts have continued to manage the gang while awaiting transfer to federal prisons from Alameda Countys Santa Rita Jail. [21] Address: 318 Harrison Street, Suite 302, Oakland, CA 94607 Phone: (510) 879-3700 www.EastBayExpress.com More by Justin Berton Lizard is a Rat new AltWeeklies Award - Feature Story East Bay Express | Justin Berton | 04-21-2008 | Media Tags: media Growing Up Right new I didnt realize lyrics could be taken so seriously, he now says, claiming that he rapped for shock value on G.U.N. ', All of the early motions from Gruel and his team of US prosecutors pointed only to Sir Dynos role in making the album. Once the government proves the existence of a criminal organization like Nuestra Familia, evidence establishing beyond a reasonable doubt defendants connection with the conspiracy, even though the connection is slight, is sufficient to convict defendant. If the legal standard is a slight connection, then the CD and videos where Gratton and Sir Dyno appear side by side as brothers in crime may prove overkill. The official list of charges, which included more than thirty drug-related crimes along with acts of extortion and robbery, simply ended with the open-ended clause and other numerous crimes.. federal racketeering case, according to court papers. Robert Brown Bob Viramontes was 44 and had shared cells with Nuestra Familias founding fathers in Soledad. Most importantly, he showed a willingness to draw sureo blood. They also hardened into gang boundaries on the streets. The rappers story varies somewhat depending on whos doing the telling. Even outside prison, members were expected to remain loyal to the gang. As a kid growing up in this small town, David Rocha was a freestyle BMXer who bounced along on one wheel during Fourth of July parades. Following instructions from the generals, Cuete put out a hit on Brown Bob. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. You wont catch me slipping. Investigators ended Operation Black Widow in June of 2001. Holguin and his team came up empty that night. They dont want guys to get close; it blurs the lines. And though prison officials recently reorganized the housing in a way that slows down gang communications, coded directives are still smuggled out that translate to violence in California cities and farm towns. Lizard and Nato were both soon paroled. One of the highest-ranking defendants in the upcoming trial, Like a religious convert eager to please his superiors, Lizards first efforts impressed his would-be peers. Thats when Lizard began his career as a rider an inmate prone to acting violently toward fellow inmates. Lizard reminded his brothers about the warriors in Pelican Bay. In fact, the 31-year-old gangsta rapper, whose real name is David Rocha, wanted nothing more than to distance himself from his codefendants. Its not a good thing, said former San Quentin warden Vasquez. Thousands bought the album in the major record chains like Sam Goody's. I cant muscle the guy because I dont know what hes involved with, he reasoned, so either I make an issue of it and make an enemy I dont want, or just let it go. 305. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Otherwise, he was free to go about his business. OUR PUBLICATIONSCannabis ChronicleEast BayGilroy DispatchGood Times Santa CruzHollister Free LanceKing City RustlerMarin Pacific SunMetro Silicon ValleyMorgan Hill TimesNorth Bay BohemianPress BannerSalinas Valley TribuneSouth ValleyWatsonville Pajaronian, ADVERTISINGAdvertiseLegal NoticesObituariesSponsored ContentWriting An ObituarySubmit an Obituary, COMPANY INFOJob OpportunitiesPrivacy Policy. CD to argue that Sir Dyno knew Gratton was affiliated with the mob. The policy eventually trickled down to county and city jails and even the California Youth Authority. Gratton is the guy whos going to make the entire case against David; its his word against Davids. She was nicknamed Crazy Girl and had the moniker tattooed over her right kneecap, according to FBI documents. Lizard swung his weight around hard. In the next room, Ragan and a team of detectives from the Santa Rosa Police Department listened to the meeting and watched it on a hidden camera. Instead, phone records and a confidential FBI source revealed that hed driven to a house in East San Jose, where hed bought two pounds of methamphetamine. I said, Yeah, I could rap like that, whatever. Prison gang members set to testify against Nuestra Familia leaders. Therefore John Ashcroft is a chicken.. When the five were transferred out of California, Gov. The boss reminded Gratton that the money belonged to the gang, and demanded more deposits into Nuestra Familia bank accounts. The unit requires pin-drop silence from its inmates. I did what I had to do, he says. And in response, FBI documents indicate that street soldiers in Nuestra Familia have ordered a two-year moratorium on murders while they wait for recent publicity to fade. Police dogs sniffed through his car and came up with three ounces of crystal meth. Sir Dyno wanted to make a name for himself, Lewis says, so he sold his soul to the devil. Lizards letters were sent to code breakers at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The five former leaders are James "Tibbs" Morado, 59, whose common-law wife, 20-year-old Salinas resident Crystal Nenque, was found slain on Hecker Pass Road near Watsonville in 2005; Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, 58; Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, 52; Cornelio Tristan, 46; and former Monterey resident Tex Marin Hernandez, 53. Daniel Hernandez sends a red line to several imprisoned (NF) leaders recommeding the impeachment of (NF) General Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba and lieutenant Sheldon Villanueva. Again, he uses a kernel of truth to anchor his rhyme, and a metaphor to exaggerate his reality. Lizard claimed Norteo. On the back cover, he stands next to Gratton, flashing XIV signs. I also learned the informant was skimming money from the Nuestra Familia street leaders and not reporting this to me.. slated for Sept. 13 in San Francisco, is Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba Later, when Heltons team arrested an alleged Nuestra Familia member named Vidal Spider Fabela during a traffic stop, they found G.U.N. Sicc OG. The former leaders include James "Tibbs" Morado, Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, Cornelio Tristan, and Tex Marin Hernandez. But within a few months, Nato got pinched for robbery, and with his long rap sheet, he got 39 years. Last year, a newly revised constitution for the gang was distributed through underground channels, allowing for change in the mesa's structure, said Santa Cruz County sheriff's Sgt. A few weeks later, the rapper signed a new contract with Dog Day Records and quickly released an album called Gang Stories. To Sir Dyno and his attorneys, the report demonstrates his utter confusion under unbelievable circumstances. The more shock you had in your raps, at the time, the more you sold. Rubalcaba is accused in court papers of ordering The only problem is the limiting of audience outside Northern California., After costs for radio spots and posters and printing, the plan estimated profits of $21,051 on the first 4,000 units. Were going to take care of it tonight., But then he talked about looking the other way. He told his carnal, We got more on the table than just a fight for powder. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. A from-the-top down, command and control, rigidly structured operator who wouldn't let subordinates exercise any personal initiative. I wanted to go face to face with all those attorneys, he said. They sat by and watched these guys pick each other off one by one. According to motions filed by Zilversmit, at least two other alleged Nuestra Familia members were attacked while the feds were listening in. gang activity in Northern California about six years ago. Membership. Since prisoners cant mail one another, Lizard began writing Kayln Santiago, a friend from Boise. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But I knew more about Cuete and his family, and he did about mine. That leaves Cervantes, who has always kept a keen eye on Salinas affairs, firmly in control as the organization's only general. His teen angst surfaced one day when he threatened to kill his vice principal. After the gang member sent word to his people on the street, the witnesses to Lizards crime were persuaded not to show up for trial. In June, one California prison experimented with another solution to the Norteo-Sureo war. Inside the state prison system, norteos side with Nuestra Familias syndicates, and sureos with La Eme, aka the Mexican Mafia. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Update: Highway 29, Howell Mountain Road may stay closed through weekend after Napa Valley snows, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, American Canyon delays warehouse amid Vallejo concerns, Homeless people to get permanent housing at former Napa motel, A plan for paid parking set to emerge in Napa three decades after meters were removed, Two arrested in Napa after crash of stolen SUV, police say, Police: Man arrested after Napa apartment break-in, Man dies in apparent Napa County drowning, Browns Valley Road homes approved by Napa City Council, Police: Man arrested after reported knife threat in Napa, American Canyon considers Chicken Guy restaurant amid drive-thru concerns, Premiere Napa Valley fundraiser brings in $3.4 million for the Napa Valley Vintners, Van Windens Garden Center celebrates seven decades in Napa, Former Napa CEO Tran files another claim against county, A 'slow starvation of law enforcement' is why nearly half of murders go unsolved, Yosemite National Park closed due to deep snow, US-China hearings: Committee chair warns of 'existential struggle', A mystery object being dragged into the center of our galaxy is perplexing scientists. The Apprehension Teams scrutiny proved to be Sir Dynos downfall. Heres my card.'. True to my nickname, he said, Im chameleon-like, and can blend in. He would be the highest-ranking brother on the streets, responsible for overseeing the gangs battalions and communicating back to the generals. It was his way or the highway. In December of 2001, Daniel Hernandez became the highest-ranking member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang to cooperate with federal investigators. Lizard said that whenever brothers were allowed into the law library, they used sign language to swap information, trade intelligence reports, and even assign homework. But claiming norteo is at least a step toward gang culture, where the stakes are high. In a way, its a compliment to me. Gang affiliation in California is often a matter of geography, but for Daniel Hernandez it wasnt that simple. Zilversmit said the feds were preoccupied with preserving their investigation instead of saving lives. On one slow-burn track, Sir Dyno raps in a stoned vibrato: Today when I got up I knew it was a good day/Got on my red shirt, Dickies, and Im on my way., After the initial press run, Gratton restocked stores with an additional 1,000 CDs. In 2000, a yard riot launched by gang members ended after 250 inmates were injured, many of them with stab wounds. After sentencing, leadership of the organization will be dispersed across the country, while new members look to fill the void. But Lizard hadnt exactly gone straight. If he went back to Pelican Bay, his elders would be upset to see him. [Robert Gratton] will testify that these messages on Rochas CD is further proof of the projects connection to the Nuestra Familia., In Mansons view, the government was also arguing that a persons identification as norteo equated to a claim of membership in Nuestra Familia. In NF, they dont want you to be friends in case you have to do something down the road, Lizard wrote. He recorded From the Barrio with Love, taking his name outside California and into pockets of Chicano markets in places such as Phoenix, Denver, and Albuquerque. And then I told him, You know who I am. There was Henry Happy Cervantes, built like a fire hydrant, who got caught on an FBI wire offering to murder two Santa Clara County district attorneys. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). He told the young man that if he wanted to be recognized by Nuestra Familia, he could appeal to the generals. He was arrested by investigator Tim Helton for selling and transporting meth. Assistant US Attorney Steven Gruel responded in court papers that federal agents couldnt be blamed for failing to notify the victim, since Sanchez already knew that he had serious problems with Heredias gang (in fact, he had been hiding). Gruel also offered four instances in which Lizards testimony did lead FBI agents to inform Norteos they were marked for death. A member of the Mexican Mafia, Ortiz was cast out of the criminal organization in the mid-1990s after angering . According to Lizard, the commander had one more piece of information: Cuete says youre a no-good. Using confidential informants, investigators said they've The amount of violence attributed to the men inside the courtroom and their associates on the outside was staggering: fifteen killings, eighty conspiracies to murder, ten attempted murders, ten felony assaults, one hundred assaults, and two drive-by shootings. Though vastly outnumbered, Nuestra Familia distinguished itself by organizing its troops along strict paramilitary lines. According to prison officials, gang leaders could arrange such deals by offering to keep the peace. Im just going to wait for the trial.. I could rap political, I could rap street, it doesnt matter, Sir Dyno says. Nearby cops heard the shots and pulled in quickly. Regardless, the compilation had limited success, and never took off like the G.U.N. Frias returned to the bar, gun tucked in his waistband, walked behind Sanchez, and fired a bullet into the base of his skull, killing him. If youre a norteo, and youre flamed-up in reds a 49ers jersey will do a lone sureo, who might be dressed down in his Dodgers blue, could make a move on you, unprovoked. He was more than just a studio rapper, he says. Bakersfield was the traditional dividing point, but with the crush of immigration, the numerically superior Sureos pushed the demarcation line further north, first to Fresno and then to Modesto. He smoked pot and tasted alcohol. To test his allegiance, he was ordered to move on his cellmate, Johnny Huero-T Fernandez. Still Sir Dyno says he wasnt getting paid. SANTA ROSA Several members of the notorious Nuestra Familia At the time, Operation Black Widow was just getting under way, and Grattons blueprint to the gangs hierarchy was invaluable. gang's leaders communicated by some form of secret code within the New soldiers became captains and generals by stabbing or killing people. Lizard already knew all the old tricks. Theres no denying Sir Dyno is norteo, but hes careful to explain that a norteo isnt necessarily a gang member, just a Chicano proud of his provenance. Ramiro Goose Garcia from Stockton complained that the gang wasnt sufficiently exploiting the Central Valley drug market. After Gratton ratted out his fellow gang members one by one, offering a list of 350 names, he was moved into the federal Witness Relocation Program. The cases were spread across Northern California. Therefore, David is an NF member or associate. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "our family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. It was a hell of an audience to keep waiting. But government agents said that Brown Bob actually had pulled away from the gang. [Gratton] said he was sick and tired of going to prison, he didnt want to go back, he wants to be legitimate, Dyno recalls, so he wants to sell cars and start a record company. He told them about the codes, the phony law firm, the bank accounts. Cuete and Lizard proved just how far their reach extended in early 1999. A few years earlier, the two attorneys had nailed former general Pinky Hernandez for ordering a murder, and Cuete wanted to offer their coffins as a gift to Pinky. For the first time in decades, one man sits alone at the helm of the criminal organization that for more than 30 years has called the shots for thousands of Norte-o gang members in the Salinas Valley. Hed turned his parents garage into a makeshift studio, recorded cassettes, and sold them at low-rider shows and East Bay record stores. He hung out at the Modesto nightclub La Familia Garcias and set up a meth ring using known norteo gangsters as runners, an enterprise he now claims earned him $10,000 a day. Salinas underboss Alberto Larez estimated that over the last ten years hed sent Cuete and the generals 40, 45 thousand dollars.. In the aftermath of Operation Black Widow, the five highest-ranking leaders of Nuestra Familia, James "Tibbs" Morado, Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, Cornelio . Report demonstrates his utter confusion under unbelievable circumstances to me their investigation instead saving. Album called gang Stories policy eventually trickled down to county and city jails and even California... Or killing people ; t let subordinates exercise any personal initiative like,. Up empty that night doesnt matter, Sir Dyno and his attorneys, the had! 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