Four leaders of the Nuestra Familia criminal syndicate have been convicted of racketeering and related crimes in the Bay Area, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
David “DC” Cervantes, James “Conejo” Perez, Guillermo Solorio alias “Capone” or “Caps”, and George “Puppet” Franco were found guilty of such crimes as senior members of the Nuestra Familia gang, who engaged in murder plots , attempted murder, drug distribution and money laundering in every Bay Area county, federal prosecutors said in a statement Wednesday.
The four were part of the syndicate’s main decision-making body, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Through the testimony of more than fifty witnesses and dozens of wiretapped telephone conversations, the trial evidence revealed a lucrative and violent criminal enterprise with a presence in every Bay Area county and the role each suspect played in it,” federal prosecutors said.
Cervantes was determined to be one of three “generals” of Nuestra Familia, overseeing the discipline of members, including deciding when to attack or kill members for violating gang rules. Evidence showed that he was also the “regimental commander” of the syndicate in Kings County, where he oversaw the criminal activities of Norteño street gang members.
“In addition to convicting Cervantes of racketeering, the jury found Cervantes responsible for the conspiracies to murder Lorenzo “Lencho” Guzman in 2015 and John “Shanks” Reyna in 2019, as well as the attempted murder of Antonio “Sombras” Villagrana in 2015. , John “Knockers” Muzquiz in 2016, and Matt Rocha in 2019,” federal prosecutors said.
Perez turned out to be another Nuestra Familia general, who maintained authority and oversaw the criminal activities of the gang members imprisoned in California.
He was also the regimental commander of the San Mateo County Street Regiment. In addition to convicting Perez of racketeering, the jury found Perez responsible for the conspiracy to murder Lorenzo ‘Lencho’ Guzman, as well as the attempted murder of Antonio ‘Sombras’ Villagrana , John “Knockers” Muzquiz and Matt Rocha,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Franco, a member of the “Inner Council” of Nuestra Familia, was also determined to become a “regimental commander” of the syndicate’s members in San Joaquin County. Evidence showed that he was an advisor to the three generals, two of whom were Cervantes and Perez, and part of the gang’s “General Council”.
“In addition to convicting Franco of racketeering, the jury found Franco responsible for the conspiracy to murder Lorenzo ‘Lencho’ Guzman, as well as the attempted murder of Matt Rocha,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Like Franco, Solorio was part of the syndicate’s Inner Council and an advisor to the generals. He was also the regimental commander of the syndicate members in Monterey County. He oversaw a prolific drug trafficking operation in Fresno, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“In addition to convicting Solorio of racketeering, the jury found Solorio responsible for the attempted murder of Matt Rocha,” federal prosecutors said.
All gang leaders face life in prison. They will be sentenced in March 2025.
“Prison gangs are a stain on the criminal justice system and on society. Prisons are supposed to protect the community from further crime and give people the opportunity for rehabilitation, but prison gangs frustrate both goals. They perpetuate violence and crime in prisons, and through the use of smuggled mobile phones, gang leaders are able to monitor large criminal networks on the streets. Successful prosecutions like this send an unmistakable message that this will not be tolerated simply because it happens behind prison walls,” said US Chief Justice Martha Boersch. The District Attorney’s Criminal Division, according to a statement.
