(BOP) - The Bureau of Prisons played an integral role in a three-year investigation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement in the Los Angeles area. The investigation culminated in May 2017 when racketeering charges were filed against 44 individuals associated with the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang. Bureau Intelligence Staff identified connections between investigative targets on the street (including former Bureau inmates) and incarcerated MS-13 members. The indictment alleges multiple violent crimes were committed by MS-13 members in an effort to maintain power and control narcotics trafficking in the Los Angeles area and it also details the strong connection between MS-13 and the Disruptive Group Mexican Mafia. MS-13 gang members allegedly collected extortionate monetary amounts (known as "taxes") and distributed them to Mexican Mafia members who oversaw MS-13 activity in federal prison.
"This operation is a powerful example of the significant impact partnerships play in law enforcement," said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck following the arrests. The Bureau was an active participant throughout the investigation by providing information used to generate leads and conduct searches through the Bureau Joint Intelligence Sharing Initiative (JISI) representative stationed at the Los Angeles FBI office. Bureau staff uncovered previously unknown gang email addresses, phone numbers, and nicknames enhancing the identification of participants in the conspiracy and their activities. On the day of the arrests, during intake processing by the FBI, Bureau staff were present to document all Security Threat Group tattoos. Simultaneously, Special Investigative Services offices at USP Big Sandy, USP Lee, FCC Victorville, USP Canaan, FCC Lompoc, FCI Big Spring, and MDC Los Angeles successfully coordinated searches of additional materials possibly connected to MS-13 activity.