released into the community to continue their criminal
activities Often the return of gang members to the
community results in increases in violent crime and drug
trafficking in the area.‘®

Attempts made by criminal justice professionals to disrupt
prison gangs by transferring their leaders and dangerous
members to other prison systems have had little impact
Gang members who are moved to new institutions with
few or no gang members will often form new gangs, and
gangs that lose a leader will likely generate a new one * In
addition, as family members move near prisons to provide
support for incarcerated relatives, gang associates are able
to expand therr jurisdictions and maintain criminal ties with
the incarcerated member through family liaisons

ISPANIC GANGS

Hispanic gangs are not a new phenomenon in the United
States, however, they have increasingly become a

concern for law enforcement agencies in recent years

The Hispanic population in the United States in 2003 was
reported to be 39.9 million, an increase of 13 percent from
the,2000 census * As a result of the continuous growth

in the Hispanic population throughout the United States,
Hispanic gang membership ts also increasing The 2001
National Youth Gang Survey reported that 49 percent of

all gang members were Hispanic/Latino, an increase of 2
percent from 1999 survey results *'*? As Hispanic men and
women migrate, both legally and illegally, to rural and urban
areas in the United States, they are confronted by language
challenges, limited employment options, and victimization
by gangs already operating in the area. Faced with these
obstacles, gang membership is often viewed as a viable
option

As Hispanic gang membership rises throughout the United
States, law enforcement pays it more attention More gang
members are being arrested than ever before Those

who enter the prison system often join
together, creating an even stronger entity —

Table 4. Hispanic Gang Presence

Another aspect of Hispanic gang membership impacting
law enforcement efforts concerns implications rising

from illegal immigrant arrests and deportation. Deported
individuals often maintain their ties to gangs in the United
States, resulting in the extension of criminal enterprises
into other countries Hispanic gang members find it easier
to access drugs and weapons tn their home countries and
courier the items back to the United States rather than to
conduct their operations within the United States U.S
currency used to pay for drugs and weapons !s easily
exchanged and has a much higher value in many foreign
countries

In addition, gangs identified and targeted by law
enforcement may migrate to areas where law enforcement
Is unfamiliar with them and they are freer to continue their
criminal activity Hispanic gang members take advantage
of the language and cultural obstacles posed to law
enforcement in areas where there has not been a very
large Hispanic population in the past.

The following sections define and describe some of the
most recent issues affecting law enforcement efforts to
identify and dismantle Hispanic gangs.

Prominent Hispanic Gangs

Law enforcement agencies were asked to report the
presence of several Hispanic gangs in their region, and

the results are displayed in Table 4 Of the reporting
agencies, more than 50 percent indicated that Los Surefios
(Sur 13) was present in their region Nearly 40 percent of
agencies reported moderate to high Sur 13 gang activity
The presence of Sur 13 was reported in 87.8 percent of
jurisdictions reporting in the Western region. Approximately,
45 percent of law enforcement agencies also reported the
presence of the Latin Kings, with 16 7 percent indicating
moderate or high gang activity

TomageniesRepariog, porting

Prison officials report that Hispanic gangs ang Presence atétto High Activ

that may have been rivals on the street eee i oo

are aligned in the prisons to combat other NE \ " t Noo. ¥%

Hispanic or non-Latino gangs. Some Sur 13 241 530 176

of the strongest Hispanic prison gangs Latin Kings 204 448 76 16.7

are the Mexican Mafia and the Texas MS-13 145 319 55 121

Syndicate 18th Street 143 314 54 18
Nortefios 125 275 64 14.5
La Raza 77 16.9 29 6.4

‘National Aliiance of Gang Investigators Associations



The following gangs (with the exception of the Pagans)
would not be expected to be active in the Midwest and, in
fact, were not reported to have a significant presence in the
Midwestern region '© The Pagans have been documented
in Ohio, and more than 25 percent of Ohio officials reported
their presence in the current survey

: UBN * Texas Mexican Mafia (Mexikanemi)
+LaRaza + Texas Syndicate

* Border Brothers + La Nuestra Familia

* Pagans

Drug Trends

Gangs are highly active in the distribution and trafficking
of drugs in the Midwestern region, with 52 2 percent of
respondents indicating a moderate or high involvement

In the street-level distribution of drugs and at least 43.2
percent of respondents indicating a high or moderate level
of involvement in the wholesale distribution of drugs (see
Table 16)

Within this region, gang involvement was highest in the
distribution of marijuana, with nearly 40 percent of reporting
agencies indicating a high level of gang involvement.
Crack cocaine was ranked as the second-highest Illicit drug
with which gangs were involved.

These responses are expected, as Chicago 1s the hub

of a prime drug-transportation corridor for distribution
throughout the country. Chicago Is a primary market for
the distribution of maryuana, half of which is distributed to
other states in the Midwest, including Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.'°” While the Mexican DTOs
are the principal transporters at the wholesale level of this
drug, street gangs—particularly the Gangster Disciples,
Vice Lords, and Latin Kings—are the principal retail
distributors '°8

More than

70 percent of
respondents to this
survey reported at
least low levels of
gang involvement
in the distribution
of crack cocaine
and powdered
cocaine This is
consistent with the
fact that Chicago-
based wholesale
distributors are the
primary suppliers of
powdered cocaine
to the city and to the Great Lakes Region, as well as some
areas in the Northeastern and Western regions '*? While
Colombian and Mexican drug traffickers dominate the
wholesale distribution of the drug, the Gangster Disciples,
Latin Kings, and Vice Lords are responsible for sales at
the street level.'° Gang migration from the larger cities to
more rural areas has increased the spread of cocaine

Approximately 13 percent of respondents to the 2003
NDTS reported that OMG involvement in drug distribution
in the Midwest was moderate to high OMGs in this
region were most likely to be involved in the distribution
of marijuana and methamphetamine, although the level of
involvement was very low

Indian Country is also being affected by the Midwestern
region's high levels of drug trafficking Hispanic street
gangs have been reported to be using Native Americans to
transport illicit drugs onto reservations. '°!

nown (%)

Street Sales 295 227 27.3 205
Wholesale _. 227 205 318 25.0
a — Sag 7 =

Maryuana 398 27.3 91 238
Crack Cocaine 36.4 239 15.9 23.8
Powdered Cocaine 216 15.9 34.1 28.4
Heroin 91 159 33.0 42.0
Methamphetamine 68 17.0 341 420
MDMA 34 148 409 40.9

28 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment,


Figure 5. Overall Gang Involvement in Crimes

8.1%

18.5%

35.8%

@High (O Moderate

Low () None/Unknown

*Figure does not add up to 100% due to rounding

level is controlled by the local African-American or Hispanic
gangs, with OMGs and independent dealers, students,
homemakers, and businessmen selling the drug '*”

fi Gangiinyolvement

retail distribution. In Florida, drugs enter Miami via the
Caribbean '*° Cocaine is transported throughout the
Northeast and Midwest, with distribution at the wholesale
and retail levels varying by jurisdiction '*° In Houston,
Mexican criminal groups are the primary distributors of
drugs at the wholesale level, whereas gangs, such as the
Black Gangster Disciples, the Crips, the Latin Kings, and
MS-13, control most retail distribution.

While the primary markets for methamphetamine remain
in the Central and Western regions of the United States,
the South is still greatly affected by the distribution and
availability of this drug. Reports indicate that in such
areas as Atlanta, Miami, Mississippi, New Orleans, and
Tennessee, availability 1s increasing '4”

Such gangs as the Vice Lords and Sur 13 are known to be
distributors of methamphetamine in the South, especially
in Florida.'*8 OMGs and various local street crews are also
highly involved in the distribution of methamphetamine at
the retail level

None/
Unknown, (%)

Vandalism and Graffiti 22.5
Felonious Assault 16.8
Burglary 16.2
Firearms Possession 14.5
Auto Theft 12.7
Firearms Burglary 110
Intimidation and Extortion 104
Homicide 9.8
Firearms Trafficking 8.7

Almost

Table 14. Use of Firearms by Gang Members in the Commission of a Crime

Imost

Always (%): ver (%)
Felonious Assault 318 22.0 64
Homicide 30.6 13.3 52
Drug Sales (Street ) 191 347 92
Drug Sales (Wholesale) 16.2 23.1 81
Carjacking 156 21.4 6.9
Intimidation and Extortion 104 249 8.1

Atlanta, Miami, and Houston remain primary markets for
cocaine in the South." In Atlanta, wholesale Mexican
traffickers transport the cocaine into the city for further
distribution to drug markets throughout the Southeastern
and Northeastern regions '#4 Afncan-American and
Hispanic gangs in these regions are responsible for the

According to the 2003 NDTS, 8.5 percent of agencies
reported that OMG involvement in drug distribution was
moderate to high.'*” Methamphetamine and manjuana
were the most common drugs with which OMGs were
associated in the region

24

2005 National Gang Threat Assessmeni



Asian Gangs

The West Coast has been identified as the “stronghold
of Asian organized crime activity, particularly within the
communities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove in Orange
County, California” This assertion is supported by the
current survey data In the West, more than 60 percent
of officials reported the presence of Asian gangs, and 31
percent reported a moderate or high level of activity. Within
California, more than 70 percent reported the presence
of Asian gangs, and almost 35 percent reported that the
gangs’ activity level was moderate or high.

Skinheads

The Skinhead movement began in England in the 1960s
and attracted a substantial following in the United States
in the mid-to-late 1980s '” With active pockets across
the-country, Skinheads often sympathize with other white
supremacist groups, especially in the prison setting In
the'current survey, 68 percent of officials in the Western
region reported the presence of Skinheads, and 27 percent
reported a moderate or high level of activity. Of the states
in the West, the largest percentage of California and Utah
Officials reported a Skinhead presence.

The following gangs were present in the Western region but
were reported as having a low level of activity '® This 1s not
surprising, as most of these gangs are based in the Midwest
or on the East Coast. However, intelligence indicates that
the Pagans have a presence in Nevada and Washington.

+ Almighty P Stone Nation + Latin Kings
: Black Gangster Disciples * Outlaws

* Border Brothers + Pagans

+ Gangster Disciples + UBN

+La Raza + Vice Lords

Table 20. Level of Gang Involvement i in Drug Distribution bs Drug Type)

Drug Trends

The widespread Hispanic gang activity in this region is also
associated with a high volume of drug-trafficking activity.
The drugs most commonly associated with Hispanic-based
groups are marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine
Approximately three-quarters of the respondents to the
2005 National Gang Threat Assessment rated gang
involvement in street sales of drugs as moderate to high
Twenty percent of law enforcement agencies indicated a
high involvement of gangs in the wholesale distribution of
narcotics and illicit drugs

Nearly 90 percent of law enforcement respondents
indicated that gangs were involved at some level in the
distribution of maryuana. As California has been reported
to be one of the leading domestic sources of marjyuana,
these results are not unexpected '*! Hawaii and the
Pacific Northwest are also primary sources of domestic
marjuana '* Foreign marijuana sources include Mexico
and Canada. The distribution of the foreign-produced
marijuana Is often controlled by the Mexican DTOs at the
wholesale level, whereas domestic maryuana distribution at
the wholesale and retail levels often occurs by the cultivator
of the drug '* In Los Angeles, retail distributors include the
Bloods, the Crips, 18th Street, and MS-13.'* In San Diego,
African-American and Hispanic gangs are known for the
distribution of marijuana. '*

Street gangs in the West are highly involved in the
distribution of methamphetamine, with 73 5 percent of
respondents indicating moderate or high involvement by
gangs California is one of the primary domestic sources of|
this drug and the only area that produces enough quantities
for national distribution.'> Street gangs and OMGs are
known for distribution at varying levels.'*” Specifically,

ent p25 High (% Ee Moderate (%)

Street Sales

Wholesale

Marijuana

Methamphetamine 455 280 15.4 11.2
Crack Cocaine 28.0 12 357 25.2
Heroin 12.6 231 392 252
Powdered Cocaine 126 20.3 413 25.9
MDMA 112 189 34.3 35.7

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

33



The results reported in this document are the compilation
of information received from 455 law enforcement
agencies across the country The agencies represent gang
investigators at the federal, state,
and local levels. A detailed survey

Table 1. Level of Street Gang Involvement in Distribution (Percentage by Reg

be involved in retail, street-level sales of drugs than in
wholesale trafficking As gangs become more involved

In the sale of drugs, the likelihood of criminal activity
Increases * The correlation between crime and drug
trafficking ts highest for robbery and aggravated assault;
thus, regions experiencing an increase in gang-related drug

was distributed to law enforcement
agencies across the country by
member organizations of NAGIA

Mest" yr" Tolar

ee.

(see Appendix). Results from

the surveys were entered into an Moderate

SPSS database Agencies were Low

asked to provide relevant open- None/Unknown
source materials to supplement this

report Additionally, presidents of High

145

the NAGIA member associations

. Moderate 25.5 19.7 205 24.5
were acted ° prowge an overew Low 255 32.4 31.8 287
oF gang frend’s and’ pattems in tneir None/Unknown 333 335 250 266

respective regions

The information reported here 1s not representative of the
nation as a whole, nor Is it based on a statistically valid
sample It merely presents a snapshot of trends and
patterns of gang activity as documented by these law
enforcement entities.

_3GANGS'AND DRUGS

Gangs, whether street gangs, OMGs, or prison gangs,
are the primary distributors of drugs throughout the United
States * They are involved in distribution at both the
wholesale and retail/street levels. Gangs consistently
travel across the country, seeking out new territory and
trafficking routes for distribution

“Table columns do not add up to 100% due to rounding

trafficking can expect to see a rise in crime rates ©

While gang involvement in wholesale drug distribution

Is less than in retail distribution, 18 percent of law
enforcement respondents indicated that gangs were highly
involved in wholesale drug distribution, with the Midwest
reporting the highest activity.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies were asked to
indicate the level of gang involvement in the distribution
and trafficking of specific illicit narcotics. Table 2 reports
the percentage, by region, of moderate and high gang
involvement in the distribution of these drugs

Gang involvement in the distribution of maryuana ts

Suburban and rural areas, as well Table 2. Moderate and High Gang Involvement in Distribution (Percentage by Ri
as Indian Country, are increasingly Son dwe e & .[otd

reporting gang- and drug-related =| powdered Cocaine | __ 529 387 375 329 382

ome aoa eer 2005 Crack Cocaine 529 457 602 392 473

p P Heron 481 17.9 250 357 279

National Gang Threat Assessment

indicated that gangs were highly Manjuana 569 54.3 870 79.0 64.8

involved in drug distribution at Methamphetamine 176 249 239 73.4 391

the retail level, while 28 6 percent [MDMA 314 191 181 301 237

indicated at least moderate

Involvement Gangs in both the West and Northeast were
more likely to be highly involved in drug distribution at the
retail level than gangs in the South and Midwest

Gangs often use drug trafficking as their primary means
of financial gain Gang members are more likely to

highest in the West, where 79 percent of law enforcement
tespondents reported moderate to high gang involvement
in its distribution. Gangs obtain maryuana primarily from
Mexican, Colombian, and Jamaican criminal groups 7

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

gion)


"Ibid
National! Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile Bandidos,
Johnstown, PA (October 2002)
, ‘78Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, LA Style. A Street Gang Manual of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department, No 43 (October 2000)
*®°Less than ten percent of officials in this region reported moderate or high activity of the gang.
*81National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004)
* *821bid
‘Ibid.
*lbid
Ibid
Ibid
"Ibid.
*8lbid
Ibid
Ibid.
bid.
ibid.
Ibid.
‘Statement of Wes McBride, President, California Gang Investigators Association

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations a



For the MORE SIGNIFICANT gangs in your region, please answer the following questions, Please make additional copies|
as needed.

9 GANG NAME:

et ee ae 2

Less than 6 months 6 months to 1 yr tyr to 2 yrs 2 yrs to 5 yrs More than 5 yrs
ia a} go a Qa

How. long:has the gang been in your region?

Where did this gang originate?

If this gang originated from a different area, what brought it to your region?

An ame ; a rE
Pleas@ indicate how many members of this gang re illegal aljeris: **erey*

<

Most Some Very Few None Unknown
Oo oO oO oO Q

What is the country of origin of these illegal aliens?

Is this gang migrating from your region to other areas, and if so, where?

What ts the estimated membership of this gang within your community (do not include persons incarcerated in state or
federal prison)?

What gangs are allies of this gang?

What gangs are rivals of this gang?

Please document any other significant facts or emerging trends about this gang.

National Alliance of Gang investigators Associations 43



Please rate the level o' activity in your ret

Incré Decreased
signitecetly "stent Change Slightly Decreased
Length of Time oO Oo Oo Qo oO
Within the Past 6 Months o Oo Qa Oo a
Within the Past 12 Months o Oo oO oO a
Within the Past 5 Years oO oO Qo o o

5 What emerging gang trends have you seen in your community (1.e , graffiti, tagging, open drug sales, gang members in

colors)?

6 Does your community have exclusively female gangs (do not include a female gang that is a counterpart of a male

gang)? YESO NOO

If yes, how do they impact the community?

7 Are gangs in your jurisdiction using technology to facilitate criminal activity (e g , Internet, Web sites, e-mail, Nextel,

computers)? YES O NOO

If yes, please elaborate

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations a



Please provide a comprehensive list of all gangs in your jurisdiction We have provided the following table for you to use.
Please make additional copies as necessary. If you have a list of gangs in an electronic format, please attach a computer|

printout or disk instead.

Gang/Clique/Set Name

Group Affiliation Race/Ethnicity

# of Members

Ex Cornado Locos Salvatrucha (CLS) | MS-13

H

150

Ex Monroe Street Hustlers Bloods

AA

230

Race/Ethnicity Codes. Please use all that apply.

AS — Asian

Pl — Pacific Islander

AA - African American

W - White

N-NativeAmerican | O-Ot
H - Hispanic a

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

a7



Wheaton, IL 60187

(630) 681-2435 Office

(630) 682-7047 Fax

E-mail: Rsima80012@aol com

National Major Gang Task Force
http://www.nmgtt.org

Executive Director

Mr. Ed Cohn

338 South Arlington, Suite 112
Indianapolis, IN 46219

(317) 322-0537 Office

(317) 322-0549 Fax

E-mail: nmgtf@earthlink.net

Ms Lina Presley

Indiana Department of Corrections
Indiana Government Center, E334
302 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 233-4773 Office

(800) 713-0733 Fax

E-mail: |presley@coa.doc.state in.us

North Carolina Gang Investigators
Association
Attp://www.ncgangcops.org
President

Lieutenant Mark Bridgeman
Fayetteville Police Department

467 Hay Street

Fayetteville, NC 28301

(910) 322-1530 Office

(910) 433-1028 Fax

E-mail: president@ncgangcops.org

Northern California Gang Investigators
Association
http://www.ncgia.com/

President

Sergeant Larry Rael

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
9250 Bond Road

Elk Grove, CA 95624

(916) 875-0443 Office

(916) 875-0407 Fax

E-mail: Irael@sacsheriff.com

Association Address
Post Office Box 276648
Sacramento, CA 95827

Northwest Gang Investigators Association
http:/www.nwgia.org

President

Detective Peter Simpson

Portland Police Bureau

1111 Southwest Second Avenue, #1326

Portland, OR 97204

(503) 823-0574 Office

(503) 823-0418 Fax

E-mail: psimpson@police.ci.portland or us

Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association
http:/www.ogia.net

Chairman of the Board

Special Agent Karen Hess

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
55 North Robinson, #229

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

(405) 297-5066 Phone

(405) 297-5055 Fax

E-mail: hess_karen@hotmail.com

Association Address
3701 Southeast 15th Street
Del City, OK 73115

(405) 670-8763 Fax

Southeastern Connecticut Gang Activities
Group
http:/www.segag.org
Director

Officer William C. Nahoinik
Waterford Police Department
41 Avery Lane

Waterford, CT 06385

(860) 442-9451 Office

(860) 590-6221 Fax

E-mail: nik49@aol com

Association Address
Post Office Box 634
Waterford, CT 06385-0634
(860) 437-0552 Phone
(860) 437-3120 Fax

Tennessee Gang Investigators Association
http://www.tngia.tn.org
President

Officer Forrest “Chip” Bartlett
Shelby County Sheriff's Office

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

51



eran =e ‘
KEafE Lee Suen acne

Dey

t

2.,<Please rate the level of gang involvement in the. following crimes:
eel .

Moderate |

Unknown

Drug Trafficking

Street Sales

Wholesale

Chemical Drug Manufacture

Intimidation/Extortion

Robbery

Bank Robbery

Jewelry Theft

Interstate Theft of Stolen Property

Auto Theft

Chop Shop

Carjacking

Burglary

Murder

Felonious Assault (Including Drive-by Shooting)

Sexual Assault/Rape

Kidnapping

Weapons

Firearms Trafficking

Firearms Burglary/Theft of Gun

Straw Purchases

Firearms Possession Offenses

Explosives/Explosive Devices

Other

Arson

Prostitution

Fraud

Identity Theft

Insurance Fraud

Credit Card Fraud

Vandalism/Graffiti/Tagging

Money Laundering

Human Trafficking

Other:

Other:

Rate Overall Crime Problem

foolofofofo}o}o}o}ojojojofofofofojojojojojolojojojojojo}o}oofojojojoje

DPOJO/O/Os/O/OOJO/O/OsOsOpOs/Os/OJOsOJO/OsOloOyoOsoO;O/oO/oOjoOsoOyoO;oO;oOloOs;olojo

OfoJofojojojojofojojojofojofolojojolofojofojojojojo}ojojojojojofojojojole

DJO[OsO/O/OJO/O/O/Os/OsO;O/OsoOO;O/O|oOoOoOloOsoO/oO/oOsoOsoOsoOyoO;oOlososojoljojo

DIO/O/O/O/OJOO/O/O/O/OsO;O/OoOO;oO/oOOoOloO;oO;oO/os/ososojojojolosojojojo

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

39



This elevation in status also involves an elevation in

risk. Females now assist in the movement of drugs and
weapons for male gang members and gather intelligence
from rival gangs ® Others are committing drug sales,
robberies, assaults, and drive-by shootings on behalf of
male gang members Respondents to the 2005 National
Gang Threat Assessment Survey reported that female gang
members in their jurisdictions most often

Assist male gang members in committing crimes;

Carry drugs and weapons and provide safe houses for
contraband,

Commit assaults and larcenies and intimidate other
female students in schools,

Engage in prostitution, and

Engage in drug sales, vandalism, and credit card and
identity theft

Although female gang members can be just as violent as
their male counterparts, violence committed by female
gang members |s still relatively low compared to that of
male gang members One Chicago-based study found
that although females in gangs may fight as much as
males, they use weapons less frequently and are less likely
to kill *! A large number of fights and assaults involving
female gang members occur within the schoo! setting

Some females commit violent crimes to gain status and
prove themselves worthy of the gang. However, male gang
members rarely grant women the same power or status

as meninthe gang There have also been numerous
reports of females being sexually exploited by males within
the-gang Female gang members are often “sexed in”
(rather than “jumped in") to the gang, an initiation ritual
that involves sex with several gang members, often for an
extended period of time ®

Although female gang membership in male-dominated
gangs Is increasing, the prevalence of predominately
female gangs continues to be a rare phenomenon. The
most recent data from the 2005 National Gang Threat
Assessment reveals that 10 percent of law enforcement
agencies are now reporting exclusively female gangs
Female gang members are generally more inclined to
commit property crimes and drug offenses, and most of
their assaults and fights occur within a school setting and
without weapons Although female gang members commit
relatively little violent crime, violence among girls in gangs
is on the rise, and law enforcement should be concerned
about their increasing brutality and their roles as weapons

carriers Traditionally, female gangs have received less
attention from researchers and law enforcement, and most
efforts have focused on intervention programs designed to
provide an alternate refuge for girls attempting to escape
abusive environments. Furthermore, law enforcement
officials are less likely to recognize or stop female

gang members, and they have experienced difficulty in
identifying female involvement in gang-related activity

ye tegGANGSANDS
<a#NDIAN COUNTRY.

The consistent growth of the gang subculture as a national
phenomenon has touched communities of every size
across the country While still perceived by some to be

an urban-based social problem, gang activity has steadily
atfected parts of the country that were once believed to be
Immune from this behavior. Such is the case with Indian
Country and the emergence of the gang subculture not
only on reservations across the country but among certain
urban-based Native Americans as well

Although most youth in Indian Country are not involved

In gang activity, those who are involved tend to be young,
primarily between the ages of 12 and 24 These youth
become involved in gangs either by connecting to existing
gang structures or by starting their own gang sets. Gang
behavior is more about group cohesiveness, predatory
activities, and a party atmosphere than it 1s about organized
criminal behavior with a profit motive

Most gangs in Indian Country are small and autonomous.
Structurally, leadership tends to be decentralized, with
collective decision making the common theme Although
some of these gangs will claim turf, gang alignment tends
to revolve around which gang Is perceived to be the most
influential at any given time.

Native-American gangs will often take on the characteristics)
of urban street gangs in terms of signs, symbols, and other
forms of gang representation While some gangs identify
themselves by names unique to the Indian culture or a
specific area (such as Shanob Mob, Nomadz, Wild Boyz,
Native Mob, Native Outlawz, and Dark Side Family), others
align themselves with nationally recognized gangs (such as
Indian Bloods, Native Gangster Disciples, Indian Gangster
Disciples, Native Mob Vice Lords, Igloo Housing Crips,

and Insane Cobra Folk Nation). This national affiliation,
often evidenced by body markings, is not indicative of

a relationship between Native-American gangs and

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

11



Criminal Activity

In the Midwest, approximately 65 percent of law
enforcement respondents indicated that gangs are involved
at some level in the crimes in their region. More than one-

Figure.7. Overall Gang Involvement in Crimes
9.1%

,

35.2% “25.0%
30.7%

OHigh CiModerate OLow MiNone/Unknown

third of these agencies reported moderate to high gang
involvement.

Respondents to the 2005 National Gang Threat
Assessment were asked to rate the level of involvement
of gangs in specific criminal acts. More than half of the
respondents indicated that gangs were at least moderately
Involved in the vandalism and graffiti reported in their
jurisdictions Gangs were also found to have a high

level of involvement in felonious assault (23 9 percent)
and firearms possession (22 7 percent) Whereas in the
Northeastern region gangs were found to have a high
level of involvement in intimidation and extortion less than
6 percent of the time, in the Midwest nearly 15 percent of
respondents reported high gang involvement in intimidation

Table 17. Level of Gan:

and extortion crimes, and an additional 16 percent reported
moderate involvement.

Law enforcement respondents to the 2005 National Gang
Threat Assessment were asked to quantify how often
gangs use firearms while committing specific crimes. More
than one-third (36.4 percent) of respondents stated that
gangs almost always used firearms in the commission of

a homicide, and 35.2 percent of respondents said firearms
were almost always used when the crime was felonious
assault Firearms were also found to be used at least
sometimes in more than 35 percent of carjackings

Overall, investigators responding to the 2005 National
Gang Threat Assessment in the Midwest specifically noted
the following gang trends that were having an impact on
communities and law enforcement efforts.

+ An increase in thefts and burglaries;

+ Fear and intimidation of community members,

+ Competition between Hispanic gangs for territories,
+ Increased cooperation between gangs; and

+ Increased gang and drug activity in Indian Country

WESTERN REGION

General Trends

Gangs continue to thrive and flourish in many areas in

the Western region of the United States. Hispanic gang
members are consistently a threat to communities and law
enforcement, especially due to the increased migration of
these gangs into both large cities and small communities
throughout the region. Survey respondents reported
continued growth in membership, violence, and general

Crime (by Type of Crime)
PRES

Vandalism and Graffiti . .!

Felonious Assault 239 193 27.3 296
Firearms Possession 227 182 307 28.4
Intimidation and Extortion 148 15.9 26.1 43.2
Homicide 148 11.4 250 48.9
Auto Theft 12.5 21.6 375 284
Firearms Burglary 125 216 341 318
Firearms Trafficking 12.5 182 239 45.4
Burglary 68 307 35.2 273

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

29



“National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,

Johnstown, PA (April 2004).
: “Ibid.

“Sibid

“®lbid

“Ibid.

: *8National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Florida Drug Threat Assessment, Johnstown, PA

(July 2003)

“National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004).

*50National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile Bloods,
Johnstown, PA (February 2003).

*5'National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile’
Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Johnstown, PA (October 2002)

*82National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile. Gangster
Disciples, Johnstown, PA (February 2003).

*®3National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
Vice Lord Nation, Johnstown, PA (July 2003).

‘54Less than ten percent of officials in this region reported moderate or high activity of the gang

*55National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile’
Black Peace Stone Nation, Johnstown, PA (August 2003)

‘Less than ten percent of officials in this region reported the presence of the gang.

‘s7National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004)

*S8lbid

Ibid

*0lbid.

*81National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Kansas State Drug Assessment (March 2003).

*82National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
Mara Salvatrucha, Johnstown, PA (November 2002).

Ibid

‘®National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Connecticut Gang Threat Assessment,
Johnstown, PA (July 2003)

Ibid

ibid

Ibid

*68Statement of Ogden City Police Department/Weber County Metro Gang Unit (April 2004)

*6*National Drug intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile. Bloods,
Jotinstown, PA (February 2003)

bid.

‘National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile’
Crips, Johnstown, PA (November 2002)

72Statement of Wes McBride, President, California Gang Investigators Association.

National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile:
Mexican Mafia, Johnstown, PA (July 2003)

‘74Statement of Wes McBride, President, California Gang Investigators Association.

‘75National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
Nuestra Familia, Johnstown, PA (October 2003)

National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile.
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, Johnstown, PA (October 2002)

60 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment;



FOREWORD ...
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GENERAL TRENDS.

REGIONAL TREND
Northeast
South ....
Midwest
West

INTRODUCTION.. .
METHODOLOGY
GANGS AND DRUGS

GANGS AND ORGANIZED CRIME
Asian Organized Crime
Russian Organized Crime

GANGS AND TECHNOLOGY
Cell Phones
Computers
Internet

GANGS AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Domestic Terrorist Groups
International Terrorist GroupS............ 0.06.
Terrorist Recruitment in Prisons

PRISON GANGS

HISPANIC GANGS
Prominent Hispanic Gangs
Migration of Surefios Into the Southwestern United States
Identifying and Distinguishing Hispanic Gangs
Gang Coordination and Alliances
Foreign Law Enforcement Efforts to Combat Gangs

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Latin Kings

According to MARGIN, the Mid-Atlantic region has seen

an increase in Latin King recruitment by members from the
Northeastern region.!23 Law enforcement officials report a
significant presence of the Latin Kings in North Carolina, !*
Florida, 25 Virginia,!26 and Texas. This information is further
corroborated by the current survey, wherein 47 percent of
law enforcement officials reported the presence of the Latin
Kings

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Intelligence indicates the presence of numerous OMGs in
the Southern region. North Carolina and Virginia have

Table 11. Level of Gang Activity
-—
Ih (%)

Moderate'(%)

Asian Gangs

Approximately 31 percent of officials in the Southern region
reported the presence of Asian gangs. This Is consistent
with intelligence reporting that documents the West Coast,
Chicago, and New York City as major areas for Asian gang
activity '2°

Sur 13

Although Surefio street gangs originated in southern
California—in fact, in California their name is used as an
umbrella term for all southern California street gangs—they
have been documented in almost every region of the
United States through tattoos, graffit, and interviews with
sources Most Surefio gangs outside of California merely

ow:(%6) Not‘Applicable/

Neighborhood-Based Drug- 179 18.5 162 475
Trafficking Groups and Crews

Crips 14.5 156 25.4 445
Sur 13 11.6 133 162 590
Bloods 9.8 139 26.6 49.7
MS-13 7.5 116 156 65.4
Latin Kings 46 75 34.7 532
Gangster Disciples 46 110 23.1 61.3
Outlaws (OMG) 46 69 191 694
Asian Gangs 17 110 18.5 68.7

documented the presence of the Hells Angels, Outlaws,
and Pagans, ?’ and Virginia also noted increasing numbers
of the Bandidos '* Additional intelligence indicates the
presence of OMGs in the following areas.

+ Hells Angels South Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, and
North Carolina

* Sons of Silence: Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, and
Louisiana

+ Bandidos Texas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Oklahoma,
Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana

Many southern states have chapters of OMGs, but because
their membership numbers are smaller than those of street
gangs and because OMGs receive less political attention,
many jurisdictions do not consider them as great a threat
as other street gangs In the current survey, more than 30
percent of officials in the region reported the presence of
the.Outlaws Officials reported the presence of the

Hells Angels and Pagans as well, with a low level of activity

emulate the activities, signs, and symbols of their California|
counterparts and have no affiliation with West Coast
members. This is the case in the South

Within the Southern region, Surefio street gangs have
been documented in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and
Texas Currently, more than 40 percent of officials in the
South reported a Sur 13 presence, with about 25 percent
reporting moderate or high activity

Gangster Disciples

Gang intelligence reports indicate the Gangster Disciples
(GD) transport and distribute “multikilogram quantities of
powdered and crack cocaine and multipound quantities of
marijuana throughout the Southeastern region, particularly
Tennessee and Georgia.”"*° Gangster Disciples in

North Carolina are self-contained and have no association
with GD members on a national level. The gang has also
been documented in Florida’! and Virginia 2 In the
current survey, almost 40 percent of investigators in the

22 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



The identification and differentiation of Hispanic street
gangs pose obstacles for law enforcement across the
nation. These prominent street gangs are described briefly
below

Sur 13

During the 1980s, California street gangs were divided

into Surefios (Southerners) and Nortefios (Northerners)—
umbrella terms for Hispanic street gangs in California.
These terms are used to distinguish whether the gang is
from the northern or southern part of the state Southern
gangs are closely associated with the Mexican Mafia and
thus often use the number 13 in their gangs and tagging, as
Mis the 13th letter of the alphabet

As various southern California gang members migrated
from the state, many began to unite under the name
Surefio. Additionally, as a result of the gang's close
connection to the Mexican Mafia, the group retained the
use of the number 13 in its name. Thus, as gang members
began to appear in the Southwest and on the East Coast,
they referred to themselves as both Sur 13 and

Los Surefios

It 1s, mportant to note that hundreds of Hispanic gangs
identify with the Surefio philosophy and use the number
13 as part of their gang identifiers The presence of the
number 13 does not necessarily indicate affiliation with the
Mexican Mafia Claiming Surefio merely indicates that the
gang resides or originated in southern California, in some
cases the gang may not be from southern California but
simply identifies with the Surefio gang style. Many Surefio
gangs are rivals of each other. For example, Florencia 13
Is a Surefio gang but is an enemy of MS-13 in some areas

Northern California street gangs are considered Nortefios
and use the number 14, as A Is the 14th letter of the
alphabet Nortefio gangs are rivals of Surefio gangs, but
Just as Surefio gangs are not all aligned with each other,
Nortefio gangs are not necessarily aligned with other
Nortefios

California 1s redefining the ways that law enforcement
traditionally considers Nortefio and Surefio alliances and
rivalries After observing increasing numbers of Surefio
gangs from southern California migrating to northern
California, law enforcement noted the following trends:

* Local northern California gangs, typically in conflict with
each other over drug trafficking and territorial issues, are
now collaborating in order to resist the Surefio gangs
migrating from the south

* The Surefios migrating from the south are conflicting
with their counterparts who reside in northern California
because they believe they are more like Nortefios than
Surefios

Hispanic gangs in northern California are negotiating with
an outlaw motorcycle gang to acquire drugs in exchange
for allegiance against another OMG, which has aligned
with southern Hispanic gangs

In light of these trends, law enforcement must recognize
that the terms nortefios and surefios are no longer
sufficient to describe California street gangs. When
documenting gang members in their local areas, law
enforcement must deliberately note not only an individual's
gang affiliation but also where the individual ts from and the
gang's local allies and rivals

Sur 13 was
reported to
be present in
every region
and in 35
states across
the country
More than
50 percent
of law
enforcement respondents indicated the presence of Sur 13
In their jurisdictions, with 39.5 percent of agencies reporting
moderate to high activity It must be noted that there are no
national Los Surefios or Sur 13 hierarchical gangs While
there may be loose connection among some gangs using
the Los Surefios or Sur 13 name, most of these gangs

are not connected to one another They simply may have
latched onto the name for their local group from media
sources or gang-connected relatives. They may not even
be aware of other Surefios.

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)

MS-13, a primarily El Salvadoran street gang, originated
in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Since then, the gang has
successfully migrated from southern California to the
East Coast, establishing a significant presence in Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, and New York MS-13 formed
in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, which was heavily
populated by Mexican-American gangs After being
constantly victimized by the dominant Mexican gangs,

El Salvadoran immigrants banded together for protection,
thus enlarging their membership and force The group
called itself Mara Salvatrucha, or MS, and as it grew in
size, It aligned with the Mexican Mafia under the

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



and Frank Wheeler, were imprisoned for drug distribution,
among multiple other charges

The Pagans are involved in the distribution of maryuana,
methamphetamine, and PCP in the United States
Generally, they are not directly involved in the retail
distribution of drugs, preferring instead to use puppet
clubs and female associates to handle retail distribution.”
Successful law enforcement efforts against the Pagans
have reduced their drug-trafficking activities, however, a
resurgence of drug activity by the Pagans to cover the cost
of the escalating conflict with the Hells Angels is possible ”
Much of this increased activity would likely be carried out
by puppet clubs and newly recruited members

Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Expansion
Violence among OMGs has escalated. In the United
States, this is largely due to the efforts of the major clubs,

particularly the Hells Table 6. OMG Worldwide Chapte!
Angels, to expand their

with the Bandidos and the Outlaws The Hells Angels were
at odds with the Outlaws as a result of recent expansion

of Outlaws into Hells Angels—controlled states, including
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and

New York.

All of the major OMGs have puppet clubs that serve as

a recruitment source and as foot soldiers in conducting
criminal activities. The Hells Angels’ principal puppet club
1s the Red Devils, the Outlaws have the Black Pistons

and the Forsaken-Few, and the Pagans have the Tribe
and the Blitzkrieg and Thunderguards (in Maryland).

The Bandidos have several support clubs, including the
Amigos, Pistoleros, LA Riders, Hombres, and Hermanos.
Another recruitment source for OMGs s former street gang
members. For example, the Mongols have been known to
recruit new members out of street gangs and have them
buy motorcycles subsequent to their OMG membership

rs Summary”!

terntory and establish Hells Angels Bandidos Outlaws Pagans
new clubs Expansion US. Chapters 62 80 67 4
efforts involve not only | Canadian Chapters 35 5 8 0
adding members to Rest of the World 121 67 59 0
existing clubs but also Total Worldwide 218 152 134 41

adding chapters in

new areas. Frequently, one club attempts to move into an
area that another club claims as its territory, and conflicts
ultimately arise.

The major OMGs have been in an expansion mode for

the past several years. As of 2005, Hells Angels chapters
numbered 218—more than double the number seen in the
previous five years. Between 1999 and 2000, the Bandidos
more than tripled their size. Although they have only 152
chapters, their estimated membership of more than 2,000
makes them a potential threat to surpass the Hells Angels
in size The Outlaws added 28 chapters in the United
States between 1999 and 2002 Their 1,200 members
make them third in size, however, arrests of Outlaws
members in Canada and the United States have severely
crippled the club. The Pagans are attempting to add and
retain members, but due to recent arrests and the defection
of current members, their numbers have been falling It is
possible they may fall below the Sons of Silence, currently
ranked fifth in size in the United States.

In the ongoing turf battles between rival motorcycle clubs,
the major clubs are aligning against the Hells Angels. In
general, the Hells Angels have adversarial relationships
with the Pagans and the Mongols and clash over territory

Recent intelligence reports from California, however,
indicate that the Mongols may be losing members due to a
“green light,” or hit, placed on them by the Mexican Mafia.
Intelligence reports state that the Mongols are abandoning
their patches and may be returning to the street gangs from
which they were recruited.

COMMUNITY
PONSE TO:GANGS

RE RES

Community

Gangs are no longer a problem limited to major city
centers, their influence has contaminated the surrounding
suburban areas and spread to rural communities The
2002 National Youth Gang Survey estimates that there
were approximately 731,500 gang members and 21,500
gangs in the United States in 2002 Overall, all cities with
a population of 250,000 or more and 87 percent of cities
with a population between 100,000 and 249,999 reported
youth gang problems 7° As gangs migrate, they bring with
them the violence, intimidation, and crime associated with
therr lifestyle For this reason, gangs are a problem not
only for law enforcement, but for parents, educators, youth,
and concerned community members as well

4

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment,



Identifying and Distinguishing Hispanic
Gangs

The ability to identify and distinguish Hispanic gangs and
cliques creates a unique challenge for law enforcement;
however, it is essential for anticipating criminal activity

and rivalries as well as for preventing gang expansion and
recruitment.

For'example, while Sur 13 and MS-13 street gangs use
similar identifiers in their tags and tattoos, the gangs differ
greatly in composition, typical modus operandi, and allies
and rivals. In order to effectively target and dismantle
violent criminal enterprises, law enforcement officials must
be aware of the subtle differences between these groups

Gang Coordination and Alliances

Recent information suggests that law enforcement
Officials are seeing an increased effort on the part of some
Hispanic gangs to organize their members into a criminal
enterprise. The different ALKQN cliques in the New York
area came together several years ago under one leader in
New York and attempted to align with one of their largest
rivals, the Bloods. More recently, information gleaned by
law. enforcement indicates that MS-13 clique leaders from
the'United States and Central America have been holding
meetings in an attempt to coordinate all MS-13 members
under one leadership umbrella. There has also been
some speculation that MS-13 leaders would like to bring
18th Street and MS-13 together to become the strongest
Hispanic gang in Central America and the United States
Recent violence occurring between MS-13 and 18th Street
and within the gangs themselves in several jurisdictions
Indicates that attempts to align the two gangs have not yet
been successful.

Although some Hispanic gangs have developed extensive
networks, most Hispanic gangs are not coordinated.
Hispanic gang behavior in one jurisdiction may not carry
over to another Members adapt to the area in which they
Operate, and this may differ from location to location

Foreign Law Enforcement Efforts to
Combat Gangs

Hispanic gangs have also become the focus of numerous
law enforcement efforts abroad In Central America,
approximately 30,000 gang members, particularly in
Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, are being
targeted for a major law enforcement crackdown Many
of these members are affiliated with MS-13 and 18th
Street, two of the most prominent gangs in Central and
North America. In August 2003, Honduras implemented

anti-gang laws, making tt illegal to participate in a gang
formed to perpetuate criminal activity. The penalty carries
a maximum prison sentence of 12 years. El Salvador
declared a state of emergency, enacting an anti-gang
initiative in July 2003 While similar legislation is pending
enactment in Guatemala, all three countries have initiated
anti-gang operations.

As a result of the Central-American anti-gang initiatives, the|
United States may become fertile ground for international
gangs fleeing newly established or reformed anti-gang
laws While the United States is aggressive in deporting
convicted gang members of international origin, gang
members are reportedly using the Bureau of Immigration
and Customs Enforcement's Temporary Protective Status
(TPS) to remain in the United States and avoid gang
prosecution in Central America

TPS was established for Central-American nationals as a
result of the natural disasters occurring in Honduras and
E] Salvador The status allows migrants from these two
areas to remain in the United States for a designated
period of time and apply for work Under TPS, a migrant
can only be deported if convicted of a felony or more than
one misdemeanor

El Salvadoran nationals were recently granted a TPS
extension until March 2005, while the extended TPS for
Honduran nationals is scheduled to end in January 2005.

FEMALE GANGS: |

Young women continue to take active roles in gangs
Although the number of female gangs Is increasing, street
gangs are still predominately made up of males. The 2000
National Youth Gang Survey revealed that only 6 percent
of the nation’s gang members were female.** All-female
gangs continue to be an anomaly, as most female gang
members tend to be affiliated with male gangs _In fact,
2000 National Youth Gang Survey respondents reported
that 39 percent of all youth gangs had female members,
however, 82 percent of respondents reported that none

of the gangs in their jurisdictions were predominately
composed of females.*”

The responsibilities of females in gangs are evolving
While they continue to assume the traditionally subordinate
functions of providing emotional, physical, and sexual
support to male gang members, females are taking more
active roles in gangs, as some female gang members
have graduated from affiliate status to membership.

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



Southern region reported the presence of the Gangster + Bandidos (OMG) + Hermanos de Pistoleros

Disciples Latinos (prison gang)
+ Black Gangster Disciples + Latin Kings

Maryland and Washington, DC, have also documented the + Bloods + Raza Unida (prison gang)
Gangster Disciples, although the gang calls itself the Crips *Cnps «Texas Mexican Mafia
while adopting the Gangster Disciples signs, symbols, and (prison gang)
ideology ' This phenomenon was also reported in + Hells Angels (OMG) « Los Surefios
North Carolina, however, investigators there classified the
gangs as Crips '*# Texas, as part of the Southern region, is one of the more

vulnerable states to the trafficking and smuggling of illicit
Texas Gangs drugs into
The Office of the Attorney General in Texas provided the United
information to supplement the current survey In 2005, States
gang investigators in central Texas reported significant Texas
activity by the gangs listed below.'*5 Considering the shares a
proximity to the Mexican border, the influence of Hispanic 1,254-mile
gangs in the Southwest, and the large population of border with
Hispanic persons in Texas, it is interesting that the Mexico,
largest percentage of investigators in each jurisdiction Parts of
size reported the Crips and the Bloods as the most which are
influential, rather than the Hispanic Surefios and Nortefios. | open and
Investigators in West Texas reported the presence of the easily
OMG Los Carnales and the prison gangs Texas Syndicate, accessible
Aryan Brotherhood, Texas Mexican Mafia, and Barrio to drug-trafficking organizations '°° Dallas and Houston
Azteca are two of the primary markets identified for maryuana '°7

Smuggled from Mexico by various modes of transportation,
Drug Trends the drugs are destined for markets throughout the
Street gangs in the South have some level of involvement country, '"* including Florida, Louisiana, Mississipp!,
in the distribution and sale of drugs Respondents tothe Alabama, and Georgia '?
2005 National Gang Threat Assessment Survey indicated
that more than 50 percent of gangs had at least moderate _n Dalllas, retail distnbutors include such gangs as MS-
involvement in street-level distribution, whereas at the 13, the Latin Kings, the Rolling 60s, the Bloods, and
wholesale level of distribution, gangs were more likely to the Hoover Crips, as well as Mexikanemi and Texas
have a lower level of involvement. Survey respondents Syndicate." In Houston the Gangster Disciples, Latin
indicated that gang involvement was highest with regardto Kings, and Vice Lords are highly involved in the retail
the distribution and sale of maryuana and cocaine. distribution '*! Overall, maryuana distribution at the retail

Table 12. Level of Gang Involvement i in Drug Distribution n (by Drug Type)

High ( im Moderate (%) "Low ( Cyan

Street Sales 243 28 9 23.1
Wholesale

Maryuana

Crack Cocaine 249 208 16.8 376
Powdered Cocaine 150 237 17.9 433
Methamphetamine 116 133 24.3 508
Heroin 7.5 10.4 22.5 595
MDMA 35 156 19.7 613

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 23



Internet activities related to identity theft and fraud are
expected to broaden, as exemplified by at least one British
gang believed to be launching phishing attacks These
attacks are perpetrated when criminals lure victims to fake
Web sites that look like those of legitimate organizations
They attempt to persuade people to enter their passwords
and credit card information, which can then be exploited 2

Advances in technology and their future exploitation

by gang members will create new challenges for law
enforcement. However, collaboration and the sharing of
intelligence will enable agencies across the country to stay
one step ahead of gangs and their criminal activity

INGS AND;TERRORIS
TIONS.

Only 5 7 percent of law enforcement officials surveyed
indicated that gangs were associated with any domestic
or international terrorist organizations or extremist groups
within their jurisdictions Most of those groups associated
with terrorist organizations or extremist groups were from
the Western region

Domestic Terrorist Groups

The majority of those who indicated associations identified
connections to domestic rather than international terrorist
groups. Of the domestic terrorist groups identified, most
were white-supremacist groups, including the following”

- Aryan Resistance + Neo-Confederates

+ Hammerskins + Neo-Nazi
+ Ku Klux Klan + National Socialist Movement
+ Militia groups + Skinheads

+ National Alliance — + Soldiers of Aryan Culture
International Terrorist Groups

Despite their vigilance in looking for associations between
gangs and international terrorist groups in the post-

9/11 environment, few investigators have identified any
associations in their jurisdictions, and those who have,
describe the connections in terms of speculation supported
by little evidence According to investigators, suspected
associations focused on credit card fraud and sales of
drugs, weapons, and false identification

Asmall number of investigators observed conditions that
could potentially lead to terrorism connections, including
the presence of Afghan and Indian street gangs, gangs with

predominantly Muslim and Sikh membership, and East-
African gangsters possibly living with Iranian nationals

Terrorist Recruitment in Prisons

Despite the lack of documented connections. Aceh
gangs and ae vere es Se
terrorist groups,
the potential

for such
associations is
well established
Previously
documented
associations
(both known
and suspected)
between
American gangs
and international
terrorists include
the association
between El
Rukns (also
known as the Black P Stone Nation) and the government
of Libya in 1986 and the potential connection between the
Latin Kings and the Armed Forces of National Liberation.
Prison gangs seem to be particularly susceptible to
terrorism recruitment

ee eee

By the middle of 2003, the number of persons incarcerated
In prisons and jails across the United States was
2,078,570.*? In addition, 4,073,987 persons were on
probation and 774,588 were on parole at the end of 2003 *
According to these figures, one in every 32 adult persons
In the United States 1s incarcerated or on probation or
parole ** This is underscored by the fact that within the
federal prison system, it is estimated that at least 11 7
percent of the inmate population 1s involved in gang-related
activity °° In state prisons this portion of the population is
13 4 percent, and in jails it is 15 6 percent.*”

Prison gangs pose a significant threat to correctional
Officials across the country The rise of gang crime and
the incarceration of thousands of gang members during
the 1980s perpetuated the issue of gang membership in
prisons ** Inmate gangs thrive on violence, extortion, and
a range of illicit activity involving drugs, gambling, and

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



APPENDIX B:

Regional Divisions of the United States

Midwest South
Illinois Alabama
Indiana Arkansas
lowa Delaware
Kansas District of Columbia
Michigan Florida
Minnesota Georgia
Missouri Kentucky
Nebraska Louisiana
North Dakota Maryland
Ohio Mississippt
South Dakota North Carolina
Wisconsin Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee
West Texas
Alaska Virginia
Arizona West Virginia
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Northeast
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont

49

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



Gangs remain the primary distributors of drugs throughout the United States

Gangs are associating with organized crime entities, such as Mexican drug organizations, Asian
criminal groups, and Russian organized crime groups These groups often turn to gangs to
conduct low-level criminal activities, protect territories, and facilitate drug-trafficking activities
Financial gain is the primary goal of any association between these groups

Gang members are becoming more sophisticated in their use of computers and technology.
These new tools are used to communicate, facilitate criminal activity, and avoid detection by law
enforcement

Few gangs have been found to associate with domestic terrorist organizations. The susceptibilit
of gang members to any type of terrorist organization appears to be highest in prison

Prison gangs pose a unique threat to law enforcement and communities Incarceration of gang
members often does little to disrupt their activities. High-ranking gang members are often able to|
exert their influence on the street from within prison

Hispanic gang membership Is on the rise These gangs are migrating and expanding their
Jurisdictions throughout the country Identification and differentiation of these gangs pose new
obstacles for law enforcement, especially in rural communities

Migration of California-style gang culture remains a particular threat The migration spreads the
reach of gangs into new neighborhoods and promotes a flourishing gang subculture

While the number of all-female gangs remains low, the role of women in gangs Is evolving.
Women are taking more active roles, assisting in the movement of drugs and weapons, and
gathering intelligence from other gangs

Indian Country ts increasingly reporting escalating levels of gang activity and gang-related crime
and drug trafficking. The remote nature of many reservations and a thriving gang subculture
make youth in these environments particularly vulnerable to gangs

Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) are expanding their territory and forming new clubs This is
reflected in increased violence among OMGs as they battle over territories.

Approximately 31 percent of survey respondents indicated that their communities refused to
acknowledge the gang problem Several communities only began to address gang issues when
high-profile gang-related incidents occurred

Forming multiagency task forces and joint community groups Is an effective way to combat the
problem However, decreases in funding and staffing to many task forces have created new
challenges for communities

wl



indicated a high level of gang activity related to intimidation
and extortion in only 5 9 percent of cases.

The 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment attempted

to determine the impact of firearm use in the commission
of crime by gang members Law enforcement agencies
were asked to estimate how often gangs used firearms
while committing specific crimes. More than one-third (39 2
percent) of respondents said gangs almost always used
firearms in the commission of a homicide, and 23 5 percent
tespondents said firearms were almost always used when
the-crime was felonious assault

Table 9. Level of Gang Involvement in Crime (by Type of Crime)

+ Lack of respect by gang members for the community and|
law enforcement, and

* Denial of gang presence by the community.

SOUTHERN.REGIO

General Trends

Responses from law enforcement in the Southern region
of the United States included the overriding themes of
fear, intimidation, and increases in crime and graffitl.
Randy Crank, President of the Virginia Gang Investigators

Level:of Gang Involvem: High;(%) Moderate (%) Low (%) Unieeont%)
Firearms Possession 235 137 196 43.2
Vandalism and Graffiti 235 25.5 137 373
Felonious Assault 216 216 21.6 35.2
Homicide 157 118 21.6 510
Burglary 9.8 216 196 490
Firearms Trafficking 98 196 17.6 529
Auto Theft 78 235 275 411
Intimidation and Extortion 5.9 157 314 44.0
Firearms Burglary 5.9 137 196 60.8

Table 10. Use of Firearms by Gang Members in the Commission of a Crime

x ~"cagpimost | EE a Almost

: j ~- Always'(%) |: ver (%)
Homicide 392 98 59
Felonious Assault 23.5 294 118
Wholesale 19.6 27.5 157
Street Sales 17.6 41.2 137
Intimidation and Extortion 17.6 27.5 15.7
Carjacking 137 15.7 15.7

Overall, Northeast investigators responding to the 2005
National Gang Threat Assessment specifically noted the
following gang trends in their region that had an impact on
communities and faw enforcement efforts:

Increase of incidents of gang-related violence and drug
trafficking on Indian reservations, '”

Gangs disrupting schools, '°

Community fear and witness intimidation,

Increases in crime in smaller and more rural
communities,’

Association, stated that “the quality of life is decreasing
where the rise of gang activity Is increasing.”"'°

From the
Southern
region,

173 law
enforcement
agencies from
15 states
provided
insight into

20 2005 National Gang Threat Assessmeni



‘Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S Department of Justice, Highlights of the 2002
National Youth Gang Survey, Washington, DC (April 2004)

Ibid

*Ibid

‘National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Gangs and Drugs in the United States,
Johnstown, PA (July 2003).

50Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S Department of Justice, Youth Gang Drug Trafficking,
Washington, DC (December 1999).

SIbid

7National Drug Intelligence Center, U S. Department of Justice, Gangs and Drugs in the United States,
Johnstown, PA (July 2003)

*Ibid

*Ibid

bid

“National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004).

bid.

*8National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Gangs and Drugs in the United States,
Johnstown, PA (July 2003).

“Ibid.

“Ibid

"Ibid

"Ibid

"ibid

*8National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004).

bid.

2'The sum of the percentages 1s greater than 100 because gangs could be identified as associating with more than|
one group.

2Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Asian Organized Crime and Terrorist Activity in Canada, 1999-
2002, Washington, DC (July 2003).

23Crminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC), 2001 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada, Ottawa,
Ontario (2001)

Ibid

25International Center, National Institute of Justice, “Chinese Transnational Organized Crime The Fuk Chin,” http //|
www ojp.usdo gov/ni/international/Chinese html: accessed 13 December 2004.

8lbid

2TMMiddle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network (MAGLOCLEN), Russian Organized
Crime Assessment, No. 65 (March 1998) All Law Enforcement Sensitive information gleaned from MAGLOCLEN has
been omitted. Sourced information herein should be considered open-source

bid

Ibid

%°Simon Rothstein and Harry MacAdam, “Web of Deceit,” The Sun. News Group Newspapers Ltd (July 2004).

3*Computer Associates International, Inc., “Identity Theft,” http:/Awww3 ca com/securityadvisor/newsinfo/collateral.
aspx?cid=38599 html accessed 13 December 2004
32Jane Hall, “Smelling a Rat Over the Phish,” The Journal Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd (May 2004)
Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S Department of Justice, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2003, Washington,
DC. (May 2004)

56 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Pagans Motorcycle Club, Johnstown, PA (August
2002)

bid.

“Compiled from multiple sources, including the Criminal intelligence Service Canada; the National Drug
Intelligence Center, Web sites of the Hells Angels, Bandidos, and Outlaws; and other open-source publications.

”Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U S. Department of Justice, Highlights of the 2002
National Youth Gang Survey, Washington, DC (April 2004).

* Ibid.

TM4Office of the Texas Attorney General, http:/www.oag state.tx us/criminal/gangs shtml

*5lbid

‘ *lbid.

7’Statement of Wes Daily, President, East Coast Gang Investigators Association

bid

National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile.
Mara Salvatrucha, Johnstown, PA (November 2002).

®New England State Police Information Network, Criminal Gangs in New England, 2003 Survey Results

“Ibid.

“Statement of Wes Daily, President, East Coast Gang Investigators Association

National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile:
United Blood Nation, Johnstown, PA (September 2003)

Statement of Wes Daily, President, East Coast Gang Investigators Association.

®National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile: Crips, Johnstown,
PA (November 2002).

®New England State Police Information Network, Criminal Gangs in New England, 2003 Survey Results.

Statement of Wes Daily, President, East Coast Gang Investigators Association.

®New England State Police Information Network, Cnminal Gangs in New England, 2003 Survey Results

Ibid.

Richard Lindberg, “Spotlight on Asian Organized Crime,” http://www search-international.com/WhatsNew/
WNasiangangs htm accessed on 13 December 2004.

Thomas E. Williamson, Southeastern Connecticut Gang Activities Group, 2004 Connecticut State Gang Threat
Assessment (March 2004)

®Less than 10 percent of officials in this region reported moderate or high activity of the gang.

Less than 10 percent of officials in this region reported the presence of the gang.

“National Drug Intelligence Center, U S. Department of Justice, New York Drug Threat Assessment, Johnstown,
PA (November 2002).

Ibid

*Ibid.

"National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004)

National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, New York Drug Threat Assessment, Johnstown,
PA (November 2002).

“Ibid.

‘Ibid.

*°1National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004).

122lbid

*°3\National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
United Blood Nation, Johnstown, PA (September 2003)

‘National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile.
18th Street, Johnstown, PA (December 2002)

58 2005 National Gang Threat Assessmeni



‘National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004).
+ Ibid.
‘°7National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Connecticut Gang Threat Assessment,
Johnstown, PA (July 2003)
Ibid.
‘ bid
“Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
‘Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network, Executive Summary (May 2004)
‘North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004)
"8Statement of Randy Crank, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
‘National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
Mara Salvatrucha, Johnstown, PA (November 2002)
“SNorth Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004).
"National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile
United Blood Nation, Johnstown, PA (September 2003).
7North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004).
"®Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association
‘National Drug Intelligence Center, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile Bloods, Johnstown, PA (February 2003)
*20Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
*2\North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004)
*2National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile:
Crips, Johnstown, PA (November 2002).
‘23Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network. Executive Summary (May 2004).
‘North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004)
*5National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Florida Drug Threat Assessment, Johnstown, PA
(July 2003)
"Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
*27North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004)
*8Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
*28Richard Lindberg, “Spotlight on Asian Organized Crime,” http /Awww search-international com/WhatsNew/
WNasiangangs htm accessed on 13 December 2004.
*80National Drug Intelligence Center, U S. Department of Justice, Drugs and Crime Gang Profile Gangster
Disciples, Johnstown, PA (February 2003)
" *3tNational Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Florida Drug Threat Assessment, Johnstown, PA
(July 2003).
*82Statement of Randy Crank, President, Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
*83Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network, Executive Summary (May 2004).
: North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, Gangs in the Tarheel State (March 2004)
Texas Gang Investigators Association, Statewide Gang Reports, presented at the 2004 Annual Conference, 28
June-2 July 2004
*86National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, Texas Drug Threat Assessment (October 2003).
*87National Drug Intelligence Center, US Department of Justice, National Drug Threat Assessment 2004,
Johnstown, PA (April 2004)
"88bid,
Ibid
“bid.
“Ibid.
‘National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, North Carolina Drug Threat Assessment
(April 2003)

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 59



National Gangs

MS-13

According to Wes Daily, the Northeastern region has
several top priorities with respect to gangs. With growing
numbers of undocumented persons in the region,
Investigators are seeing Increases in Mexican and Central-

Table 7. Gang Presence in the Northeastern Region

gang share a loose cultural affinity, there is little intelligence
indicating extensive structural links between them.® In
fact, many East Coast versions of the Bloods, including
UBN, are considered to be more structured than their
West Coast counterparts.

Intelligence reports estimate UBN membership at 5,000
members in New York City and 7,000 nationwide. In the

pe! t Applicable/
A (%) Spyloderate Unknown (%)
Tiafflekng Groups and Grews 235 a4 78 73
Bloods 216 216 17.6 39.2
Latin Kings 176 196 31.4 31.4
Hells Angels (OMG) 18 196 19.6 491
United Blood Nation 118 137 157 589
Crips 98 275 314 314
MS-13 78 39 11.8 765
Pagans (OMG) 59 196 176 569
Asian Gangs 59 59 23.5 648

American gangs in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Delaware One of the more prominent
gangs, MS-13 is recognized by investigators as the most
fearless

Intelligence indicates that in 2002, MS-13 members moved
“multikilogram quantities of powdered cocaine, crack
cocaine, and maryuana throughout the greater

New York City metropolitan area and New Jersey”? In
the current survey, officials in the Northeastern region
reported a relatively low level of activity by MS-13;
however, approximately 43 percent of officials in New York
and New Jersey alone reported the presence of MS-13 in
their jurisdictions, consistent with reporting that the gang Is
particularly active in these states

MS-13 has also been found to be a serious threat in
Massachusetts.®° This gang, with between 75 and 100
members in the state, has an affinity for excessive violence
and little respect for law enforcement.*!

Bloods

Wes Daily reports that the Bloods continue to grow in the
Northeastern region under several names, including United
Blood Nation (UBN) and Gangster Killer Bloods ** The
similarity in names creates difficulty for law enforcement

In distinguishing between the East Coast and West Coast
gangs sharing this name Although the two versions of the

current survey, 26 percent of law enforcement officials in
the Northeast reported a moderate or high level of UBN
activity, and 40 percent of officials reported a moderate or
high level of Bloods activity

Crips

The Crips have established a substantial presence in the
Northeastern region as well, partially due to the gang’s
multiethnic makeup ** The NDIC reports that “Crip sets
obtain cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from New York
City-based Dominican criminal groups and cocaine,
heroin, marijuana, and PCP from Los Angeles-based
Crip sets "®* In the current survey, roughly 40 percent

of law enforcement officials in the Northeastern region
reported moderate or high activity by the Crips, with about
30 percent more reporting low activity, consistent with
intelligence indicating Crip drug smuggling and violence
in this region. In Connecticut, law enforcement reports

a small presence of Crips, and there Is no information to
Indicate whether these groups are affillated with the original|
Los Angeles groups or are independent sets.**

Latin Kings

The Latin Kings are struggling to find and maintain
leadership following the arrest of their leader; however,
New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania are reporting
continued growth of the Latin Kings and the Chicago
influence.®” Approximately 40 percent of the law

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



Once found principally in large cities, violent street gangs now affect public safety, community
image, and quality of life in communities of all sizes in urban, suburban, and rural areas No
region of the United States 1s untouched by gangs Gangs affect society at ail levels, causing
heightened fears for safety, violence, and economic costs

Funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), this report is the result of a collaborative
effort among the members of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations (NAGIA)
NAGIA ts composed of the leadership of 15 state and regional gang investigators associations,
representing over 10,000 gang investigators across the country, and representatives of federal
agencies and other organizations involved in gang-related matters

NAGIA 1s dedicated to educating and informing professionals dealing with gangs The purpose
of the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment Is to provide a national and regional picture of the
threat posed by gangs Its anticipated that the assessment will help federal, state, and local
policymakers and law enforcement agency administrators understand the dimensions of the
national gang problem and assist them in formulating policy and allocating resources

Additional information about gangs may be found by visiting the NAGIA Web site, www nagia org



FEMALE GANGS
GANGS AND INDIAN COUNTRY

OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANGS
Drug Trafficking
Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Expansion

COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO GANGS
Community
Law Enforcement

NORTHEASTERN REGION
General Trends .
Gang Presence and Migration
National Gangs
Drug Trends
Criminal Activity

SOUTHERN REGION
General Trends
Gang Presence and Migration
National Gangs
Drug Trends
Criminal Activity

MIDWESTERN REGION
General Trends
Gang Presence and Migration
National Gangs
Drug Trends
Criminal Activity

WESTERN REGION .
General Trends
Gang Presence and Migration
National Gangs
Drug Trends
Criminal Activity

OUTLOOK

NOTES..



prostitution *° The need of inmates to form associations
for self-protection creates an environment ripe for
recruiting and controlling gang members Compounding
this problem, many inmates are incarcerated near their
tinue to have

‘ significant
influence *°
Frequently,
prison gang
members
continue to
affilate with
one another
and commit
criminal
acts once

released into the community.*!

While little information about the presence and
composition of gangs in prisons is available, a 2002 survey
commissioned by the National Major Gang Task Force
revealed details about gangs and security threat groups
(STGs) in the nation’s prisons and jails.‘

Prison and jail officials identified more than 1,600 STGs,
comprising 113,627 inmates in their jurisdictions

An average of 13 4 percent of all inmates per prison
system and 15.6 percent of all inmates per jail system
were estimated to be involved in STGs.

The median number of inmates estimated to be
involved in STGs per prison and jail systems was 1,575
and 300, respectively

The most frequently identified STGs in both prison and
Jail settings included the Crips, Bloods, Gangster
Disciples, Latin Kings, and Aryan Brotherhood The
Mexican Mafia, La Nuestra Familia, the Black Guerilla
Family, and the Texas Syndicate have also been
identified in earlier studies as dominant prison gangs “°

Both prisons and Jails reported substantially more
$TG-related incidents of violence against inmates than
against staff members Likewise, in both prisons and
Jails, approximately one-third of all violent incidents were
STG-related, whether directed against staff or inmates

State correctional systems in California, Colorado,
New Jersey, Texas, and Wisconsin, as well as in the
Federal Bureau of Prisons, have the highest number
of STG-invoived inmates; correctional systems in
Hawaii, New Mexico, and Wisconsin have the highest
percentage of STG-involved inmates.

+ The prisons and jails surveyed reported 11 STG-related
homicides for 2001—only one of which was reported by
ajail

Many STG inmates additionally have ties to terrorist
groups, and those who do not may be susceptible to
recruitment by terrorists. For example, 27 STG inmates
at the Administrative Maximum Security Prison in
Florence, Colorado, represent al Qaeda, the Islamic
Resistance Movement (HAMAS), and the Palestinian
Liberation Organization. Of these STG inmates, 18 have}
formal terrorist training “4

Incarcerating gang members has done little to disrupt
their activities and, in many ways, has augmented their
growth and power inside prisons. High-ranking gang
members exert increased control and discipline over their)
street gangs from prison Prison gangs have hierarchical|
structures based on power and ranks and are organized
to survive leadership changes. This structure insulates
gang leaders from direct involvement in criminal activity
and, ultimately, prosecution ** Many inmates who have
not been previously exposed to gangs are recruited

and, after serving their sentences, allied with the gang
outside the prison walls “© The following are reports of
the criminal activity committed by incarcerated gang
members:

The Mexican Mafia (La Eme) controls many of the
Hispanic gangs in southern California by imposing a
street tax on drug sales

ALatin Kings leader responsible for an entire network of
gang members across Illinois used his cell phone to
organize an elaborate drug ring and order hits. He was
Indicted in 1997 for running the drug-dealing operation
from behind prison walls 47 Latin Kings members are
known for their control over correctional officers and
routinely order hits on those who fail to cooperate with
them

Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover was convicted of
running—from prison—a $100 million-per-year drug
operation that stretched across 35 states. Much of the
gang's criminal enterprise Is coordinated from behind
bars

Many community and law enforcement officials mistakenly
believe that when a gang member Is incarcerated, the
threat disappears In reality, incarcerated gang members
often use the prison environment to recruit other members
and perpetuate their criminal enterprise Furthermore, a
large percentage of incarcerated gang members will be

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



The pervasiveness of gangs throughout society is undeniable They incite fear and violence within
our.communities Gangs threaten our schools, our children, and our homes Gangs today are
more sophisticated and flagrant in their use of violence and intimidation tactics As they migrate
across the country, they bring with them drugs, weapons, and criminal activity Acceptance of the
problem and joint community and law enforcement responses are our best defense

Law enforcement respondents to the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment noted several trends
that were prevalent across the country.



other gang structures; rather, it 1s utilized for purposes of
notoriety and intimidation.

Most gang crimes occurring in Indian Country are property-
based, such as graffit! and vandalism; however, the extent
of violent crime connected to gang activity is increasing.
Over the past decade, Indian reservations across the
country have increasingly reported escalating levels of
gang violence, as well as drug usage and distribution.
Although not all of the violence 1s connected to gang
activity, gangs are considered one of the factors in the
escalating violence.

When studying the growth of gangs in Indian Country,

It is essential to consider the illicit drug trade. The

remote nature of many reservations is conducive to the
proliferation of methamphetamine labs, the growth of
marjuana, and the distribution of a wide variety of illegal
substances The proximity of many reservations to the
Mexican border also provides easy access to these drugs,
a fact only exacerbated by the extent of alcohol and drug
abuse already occurring in many parts of Indian Country

Female involvement in Indian-Country gangs !s another
important consideration Twenty percent of females are
engaged in some level of gang activity, compared to the
national rate of 6 percent for female gang involvement
The significance of female involvement must not be
underestimated, as gang-involved females are allowing
themselves to be physically and sexually abused and will
sometimes escalate their own behavior to prove they can
be as violent or antisocial as their male counterparts.

Gang activity among Native Americans in prison is
increasing due to the general influence of gang activity

In correctional facilities as well as the tendency for some
Native-American gang members to feel a sense of pride
In serving time. The rate of prison incarceration per capita
among Native Americans !s approximately 38 percent
higher than the national rate, and the number of youth in
custody in the Federal Bureau of Prisons has increased
50 percent since 1994 © This trend may account for

the emergence of Native-American prison gangs, such

as Indian Brotherhood, Red Brotherhood, Indian Posse,
Warlords, Bear Paw Warrior Society, and similar structures
Native-American gang members released from these
facilities often return to their communities and bring the
gang lifestyle with them, contributing to the growth of the
gang problem

The absence of an aggressive gang-prosecution initiative
In Indian Country has allowed gang activity to flourish

and grow Law enforcement in Indian Country lacks a
comprehensive and sustained law enforcement model that
emphasizes identification of active gang members and
directed enforcement activity to deal with the behavior A
lack of gang intelligence, including gang trends, membership
numbers, and alliances and rivalries, places law enforcement:
Officials at a disadvantage, as they are unable to have

a clear understanding of the depth of the gang problem
Additionally, many Native-American youth involved in gang-
and drug-related crime perceive that little or no retnbution for
criminal behavior will occur at the tribal court level

An increasing number of tribes have recognized the need to]
curb the growth of the gang problem over the past several
years, despite the historic denial of the presence of gangs
in Indian Country Efforts have been made to educate tribal
authorities and educators in gang recognition and effective
resource allocation Finally, some tribes are returning to
the traditional practice of banishment as a means of dealing
with gang and criminal behavior Although used by only

a handful of tribes across the country, the practice is an
alternative available to tribes as they seek solutions to deal
with the growing problem of gang activity.

= OUTLAW,MOTORGYC
"| GANGS==.

Outlaw motorcycle gangs have been in existence for
more than 50 years The growth of OMGs and their
Increasing criminal endeavors have made them the
subject of numerous criminal investigations by law
enforcement. These criminal activities include, but are
not limited to, murder, assault, kidnapping, prostitution,
money laundering, weapons trafficking, motorcycle and
motorcycle-parts theft, intimidation, extortion, arson, and
the production, smuggling, transportation, and distribution
of drugs. While
drug trafficking
Is still the
primary source
of income for
OMGs, the
other criminal
activities
represent an
increasing
source of
funds

Each of the major OMGs—the Hells Angels, Bandidos,
Outlaws, and Pagans—has been identified as involved in

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment,



17-1 (Rev 8-11-03)

ATTENTION

The following documents appearing in FBI files have been reviewed under the provisions of The Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (Title 5. United States Code, Section 552), Privacy Act of 1974 (PA) (Title 5, United States Code,
Section 552a), and/or Litigation

O FOIA/PA O Litigation O Executive Order Applied

Requester
Subject
Computer or Case Identification Number
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* File

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Release Location *File Section

This file section has been scanned into the FOIPA Document Processing System (FDPS) prior to National Security
Classification review Please sce the documents located m the FDPS for current classification action, if warranted Direct
inquires about the FDPS to RIDS Service Request Unit, 202-324-3773

File Number Maw ‘ Ganey Threat bosess yn ont section __|

Serial(s) Reviewed

i , 1)
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File Number Section
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ATTENTION

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These beliefs were supported by survey respondents, who
noted that gangs were at least moderately involved in 56
percent of all crimes in the Western region.

More than 90 percent of respondents indicated that gangs
had some type of involvement in vandalism and graffiti
throughout all jurisdictions. Gangs were noted to be
highly involved in 45.5 percent of felonious assaults Law
enforcement agencies in this area also reported substantial
gang involvement in identity theft and credit card fraud,

a trend not seen in other regions Approximately 39
percent of respondents indicated moderate to high gang
involvement in identity theft, and 34 percent indicated
moderate to high involvement of gangs in credit card

theft This supports intelligence that suggests gangs are
becoming more sophisticated and technologically savvy

Survey respondents were asked to rate the use of firearms
by gangs in the commission of a crime Gangs were
reported to almost always use firearms by 63.6 percent

of respondents. Homicide was the second-most common

ctime in which gang members were likely to use firearms
It is interesting that 42 percent of respondents noted that
gangs almost always used firearms in bank robberies,
another trend not seen in other regions.

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment Survey
respondents noted several criminal trends, including the
following

* Sophistication in the planning of violent attacks and
assaults on police officers;

+ Increased uses of technology,
+ Increased cases of identity and credit card theft,

+ An increase in the migration and activity of
Hispanic gangs,

+ The reemergence of graffiti, and

+ An increase in the use of firearms

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

35



Street gangs are frequently involved in the distribution of both maryjuana and methamphetamine.

The number of cases of identity and credit card theft perpetrated by gang members has
Increased.

Reports indicate an increased use of firearms by gang members

Approximately three-quarters of respondents to this survey reported moderate to high
involvement of gangs in the street-level distribution of drugs

More than 90 percent of respondents in this region reported some level of gang involvement in
vandalism and graffiti

vu



While general trends were apparent across the nation, each region also noted specific trends
affecting their communities

Northeast

Neighborhood or homegrown gangs and hybrid gangs are being seen with increasing frequency

Agrowth of gangs within Hispanic immigrant communities has occurred recently, bringing
increased violence and crime to many communities.

The frequency of incidents of gang-related violence and drug trafficking on Indian reservations
has increased.

Gang members display a lack of respect for their community and for law enforcement.

This region is particularly vulnerable to drug distribution by gangs because of the compact nature
of the region and the well-developed transportation infrastructure

Gangs are reported to be most frequently involved in crimes relating to vandalism and graffiti,
firearms possession, assault, and homicide.

South

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) is one of the newest threats to the region, especially in Washington,
DC, Virginia, and the surrounding areas

The growth of gangs within the Hispanic community has brought increased levels of violence and
crime to the region

Communities are noting increases in graffiti and tagging

Neighborhood or homegrown gangs are reported throughout {he region

be
#

Ps

Gangs in this region are most likely to be involved in the distribution and sale of maryuana and
cocaine

Midwest

ek Began Bee

Gang activity around schools and college campuses has increased

Gangs are concealing their affiliations and colors to hide from law enforcement

Gangs are substantially involved in both the wholesale and street-level distribution of drugs in
this region

ayeatya eet
a a 2

Gangs are increasingly cooperating with each other to facilitate crime and drug trafficking

Gang and drug activity in Indian Country has increased

Indian Country ts being affected by the high level of drug trafficking Hispanic street gangs are
reportedly using Native Americans to transport narcotics onto reservations

West

+ Gangs are employing an increased level of sophistication in the planning and execution of
criminal acts, especially against law enforcement officers

vi



Thank you for completing this survey. Before sending your responses back, please be sure to attach:

1 Acomprehensive list of gangs in your region and/or jurisdiction This list may be a computer printout or in a handwritten
or electronic version.
2 Copies of all published materials your agency has written about gangs (1 e , Threat Assessments, Profiles).

i 48 ‘2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



Table 19. Level of Gang Activity

‘WHN Ot Applicable/

3 em Unknown (%)
Sur 13 510 210 . 147
Crips 217 147 287
Nortefios 20.3 147 476
Neighborhood-Based
Drug-Trafficking Groups and 18.9 196 23.1 385
Crews
Asian Gangs 13.3 17.5 315 378
Bloods 12.6 11.9 39.2 364
18th Street 105 161 322 413
Skinheads 84 182 413 322
Hells Angels (OMG) 84 161 322 434
Mexican Mafia 77 168 36 4 39.2
La Nuestra Familia 49 77 175 69.9
MS-13 49 4.2 31.5 594
Bandidos (OMG) 2.8 77 18.2 713

areiillegal aliens from Mexico and Central America.' Crips

Nationwide, the estimated membership of 18th Street
ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 members.'®> According to
the Connecticut State Gang Threat Assessment, “The gang
1s most active in the Southwestern and Pacific regions and
Is expanding in the New York/New Jersey and West Central
regions *'® Outside of California, 18th Street has been
identified in the Western states of Arizona, New Mexico,
Nevada, Oregon, Washington, '®” and Utah '8

18th Street's West Coast origins and migration throughout
the West are reflected in the current study Approximately
60 percent of law enforcement officials reported the
presence of the gang, and about 27 percent reported its
activity level as moderate or high Within California the
responses were similar

Bloods

The Bloods street gang association was formed in

Los Angeles in the early 1970s—initially to provide
members protection from the Crips '® For this reason, it
Is not surprising that almost 64 percent of law enforcement
Officials in the Western region reported a Bloods presence,
and approximately 25 percent reported moderate or high
activity

Bloods members transport cocaine, marijuana, and PCP
from southern California and Texas and distribute the drugs
in locations throughout the Pacific, Southwestern, and West
Central regions—specifically California, Colorado, Utah,
Nevada, and Washington. !7°

Like the Bloods, the Crips street gang association was
formed in Los Angeles and has been identified throughout
the country The Crips maintain a strong presence in
California and have also been identified in the Western
states of Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and
Arizona.'7' Consistent with this reporting, more than 70
percent of officials in the Western region reported the
presence of the Crips, and 36 percent reported a moderate
or high level of activity

Surefios

As mentioned above, almost 90 percent of officials in

the West reported the presence of Surefios, with 51
percent reporting a high level of activity and 21 percent
Teporting a moderate level of activity. This overwhelming
presence Is likely attributable to the fact that “Surefio, or
Sur 13, is a banner under which most southern California
Hispanic gangs gather "!” As a result of the collective
nature of the term surefio, one would expect Sur 13's
presence in California to be larger. In contrast to other
regions reporting the existence of a specific gang called
Los Surefios or Sur 13, Western officials may classify all
Surefio gangs together to describe their activity Surefio
gangs and gang members have been identified throughout
the West and have a major presence in Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico, and Utah

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



Table 8. Level of Gang Involvement in Drug Distribution (by Drug Type)

Level of,Gang Involvement High (%)

Moderate (%) Low (%):

None/,
Unknown (%)

Street Sales 392 216

Wholesale

Powdered Cocaine 29.4 235 25.5 21.6
Crack Cocaine 412 118 255 21.6
Heroin 294 157 19.6 35.3
Methamphetamine 5.9 118 353 47.0
Marijuana 33.3 235 11.8 31.4
MDMA 3.9 275 27.5 41.4

Coéaine and heroin are readily available throughout
the'region. Colombian and Dominican drug-trafficking
organizations (DTOs) and criminal enterprises are the
primary transporters of cocaine into this region °°

New York is the largest market for cocaine in the country,
serving as a distribution center for most of the Great Lakes,
the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast °” The
Colombian and Dominican DTOs act as the wholesale
distributors of the cocaine.® Street gangs, such as Neta,
the Latin Kings, MS-13, and the Bloods, are involved in
cocaine distribution at the retail level ” South-American
heroin ts brought into the country by Colombian DTOs.
Dominican criminal groups are the primary wholesale
dealers of heroin, and they are also the dominant distributor
at the retail level ' Jamaicans are among the most
dominant distributors of marijuana in the region, although
No single group dominates at any distribution level.'°!
Street gangs are involved in much of the distribution at the
retail level.!

UBN, with approximately 5,000 members in the New York
City metropolitan area, is heavily involved in the distribution
of cocaine, heroin, and maryuana in New York City !? While
locations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
remain primary distribution points, UBN has expanded
distribution into Connecticut and Massachusetts. 18th
Street has a prominent role in the distribution of cocaine,
heroin, and marijuana in New Jersey 'TM MS-13 and the
Crips also have notable involvement in the drug distribution
for this region

The NDIC 2003 National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) found
that OMG involvement in drug distribution in the Northeast,
while notable, was lower than the involvement of street
gangs.'°5 Overall, 10 2 percent of agencies responding

to the 2003 NDTS reported that OMG involvement in drug
distribution in the Northeast was moderate to high '%°

Methamphetamine and marijuana were the most common
drugs with which OMGs were associated in the region.

Criminal Activity

Gang-related crime and violence—especially activity
associated with drug trafficking and distribution—are
significant issues across every region of the United States.
In the Northeast, law enforcement agencies reported that
gangs were involved in more than 58 9 percent of crime in
their jurisdictions, with 31.4 percent indicating a moderate
ot high involvement

Gangs were more likely to be involved in several different
types of crime. The highest involvement of gangs in

crime occurred with vandalism and graffiti, firearms
possession, assault, and homicide (see Table 9) Gangs
were reported to be involved in as much as 62.7 percent of
crime associated with vandalism or graffit! Respondents

Figure 3. Overall Gang Involvement in Crimes

9.8%

21.6%

27.5%

OD High © Moderate ( Low ff None/Unknown

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



OUTLOOK
Patterns of gang-related violence and crime have been thoroughly documented throughout this
report As gang migration occurs at increasing levels across the country, new and emergent trends
in criminal activity will surface New communities will feel the impact of gangs in their neighborhoods
and will see the slow erosion of safe havens for their children Gangs will move into jurisdictions
where law enforcement may have less knowledge of their activities and culture and may not have
the support to combat them The lessons learned from this report, and those previously published,
lay the foundation for communities and law enforcement to work together to develop thoughtfully
constructed prevention, intervention, and suppression plans The gang problem in the United States
can be solved tf communities acknowledge the issue and work with partners in their communities and
across the country.

While law enforcement officials have responded to the gang threat in many jurisdictions, most of

the. response has been localized. As the problem spreads into other areas and goes national and
international, a more coordinated response Is necessary A national gang database that is accessible
and interactive with local, state, and federal agencies is germane to addressing this issue As most
gang crimes are violations of local statutes, coordination and cooperation by federal agencies with
local law enforcement Is imperative Additionally, further coordinated training for law enforcement,
community, and public officials will provide the knowledge and forethought to the development of
prevention and intervention programs in communities across the nation

36



enforcement officials in the current survey reported
moderate or high activity by the Latin Kings, and 30 percent
reported low activity, consistent with previous reporting.
New York and New Jersey have specifically been identified
as having heavy Latin Kings activity, and within these

two states, approximately 86 percent of officials reported
the presence of the Latin Kings NESPIN survey results
indicated that the Latin Kings in Connecticut have a
widespread presence within the state, with numbers
ranging from 40 to more than 300 active members ** Latin
Kings members active in Maine are reportedly migrating
from areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut ©

Hells Angels

Gang intelligence indicates that in 2003 the Hells Angels
had developed several new chapters in the Mid-Atlantic
and Northeastern regions, including Virginia, Maryland, and
Pennsylvania
These
territories were
traditionally
considered

y the domain of
the Pagans
motorcycle
gang, the Hells
Angels’ rivals.

Approximately
31 percent
of officials
reported
moderate or
high activity
by the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang in the
Northeastern region, and about 20 percent reported low
activity Similarly, 50 percent of agencies in New York and
Pennsylvania reported some level of Hells Angels activity

Asian Gangs

Although intelligence on Asian gangs and criminal
enterprises points to the West Coast as the “stronghold
of Asian organized crime activity,”TM it also indicates

the presence of Asian gangs in New York City and
Connecticut °! Overall, law enforcement officials in the
Northeastern region reported a low level of Asian gang
activity; however, 30 percent of agencies in New York and
Connecticut indicated the presence of Asian gangs

The gangs listed below were present in the Northeastern
region but were reported to have a low level of activity

Three of the gangs—Los Surefios, 18th Street, and

La Raza—are Hispanic gangs known to be active in the
Western region The Skinheads are also primarily active
on the West Coast. The Black Gangster Disciples and
the Gangster Disciples are both native to the Midwestern
region

« Black Gangster Disciples + La Raza
+ Gangster Disciples + Outlaws
+ Skinheads + Sur 13

+ 18th Street

The following gangs would not be expected to be active

in the Northeast, as they are primarily based in the
Midwestern and Western regions and, in fact, were not
reported to have a significant presence in the Northeastern
region.”

+ Almighty P Stone Nation + Nortefios

+ Bandidos + Texas Mexican Mafia
+ Border Brothers + Texas Syndicate

+ La Nuestra Familia + Vice Lords

* Mexican Mafia

Drug Trends

Gangs in the Northeastern region were reported to have
significant involvement in the distribution of street-level
drugs, with nearly 61 percent of agencies reporting
moderate to high activity While the level of involvement
of gangs in wholesale distribution was not as high, 25.5
percent of reporting agencies rated the level of activity as
moderate

Each agency was also asked to document the level of gang
activity in the distribution of specific drugs At least 50
percent of the reporting agencies indicated that gangs were
involved in the distribution of the following illegal narcotics.
cocaine (powdered and crack), heroin, methamphetamine,
maryuana, and MDMA Gangs in the Northeast appear

to be most heavily involved in the distribution of crack
cocaine, powdered cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

The Northeastern region Is particularly vulnerable to

drug distribution by gangs because of the region's

compact nature and its well-developed transportation
infrastructure. New York City is a primary hub for the
distribution and transportation of drugs in the region Drugs
can be moved through the region via road, air, or sea and
teadily concealed in the high volumes of transport vehicles
that move through the different cities °*

18 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



The standardization of gang definitions may help alleviate this problem. The FBI's full implementation of the National
Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which collects information reported through the Uniform Crime Reports
(UCRs), will also help in this endeavor.

Correctional Intelligence

There is a lack of intelligence coordination between police departments and corrections officials. This 1s largely due to

the fact that many officers are unaware of the wealth of intelligence related to gangs and gang members available within
the:corrections community Corrections officials and databases within federal, state, and local prison systems are an
unexploited source of vital intelligence. Many correctional facilities identify gang members, validate gang membership, and
have the capability to monitor mail, telephone calls, and visits. NAGIA encourages police agencies to work cooperatively
with corrections departments through partnerships involving information sharing, fugitive apprehension, and specialized
enforcement

Gang-Related Training

The explosion of gang activity in the United States has resulted in a tremendous increase in the availability of training
about gangs. However, information presented at some of these training programs and conferences is outdated, inaccurate,
or inappropriate for the local situation. NAGIA believes that there is a need to identify and support worthwhile training
sessions, conferences, instructors, and events related to gang training. This endorsement will help to ensure that only
accurate and up-to-date information is disseminated to criminal justice professionals and others who have a need for
instruction.

Legislation

Increased awareness of gang activity has led to a proliferation of federal, state, and local gang-related laws with varying
degrees of effectiveness. There 1s a need to identify and track legislation pertaining to gang prevention and suppression
issues and to provide well-informed guidance to legislative sponsors. There is also a need to catalog and evaluate existing
legislation to provide examples of beneficial statutes to those seeking to shape new legislation The National Youth Gang
Center maintains a comprehensive list of state and local gang legislation on its Web site at

http /vww tir com/nyge/maininfo htm#Legislation.

Gang Officers

Experience in working with gangs !s important to law enforcement’s success in their anti-gang strategies and goals Many
police departments have formed gang units and have developed specialized positions within these units. The ability of
officers to effectively combat gangs is greatly enhanced by accumulated on-the-job experience Many police officers

and other law enforcement agents routinely rotate into other job assignments every few years, thereby diminishing the
institutional knowledge of a particular unit Expertise regarding gangs is particularly difficult to maintain because gangs on
both local and national levels are unpredictable and readily adapt their methods of operation to changing circumstances.
Therefore, it is critical that at least some of the personnel involved in gang enforcement have extensive experience
working with gangs NAGIA recommends that law enforcement agency administrators consider these factors when rotating|
or reassigning personnel from a gang unit.

Community Responses to Gangs

Law enforcement alone will never successfully eliminate the threat of gangs. Other community agencies and partners,
including schools, juvenile justice agencies, grassroots community organizations, faith-based organizations, social
services organizations, and others, must work together to address the problem of gangs in the local community and to
provide youths with opportunities to opt out of the gang lifestyle. NAGIA strongly recommends that law enforcement
agencies reach out to social service agencies, nonprofit community assistance agencies, faith-based groups, schools, and
private businesses to promote a comprehensive and coordinated community action plan to deal with gang suppression,
intervention, and prevention

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 55



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS __

The 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment is a collaborative effort in the best sense of the

word While it contains information obtained from many sources, the assessment also represents
personal involvement, hard work, and task sharing by employees of many organizations at all levels}
of government It presents a unique, multilevel perspective on the nation’s gang problem

Funding for this effort was provided by a grant from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of
Justice Assistance (BJA) Without the vision and resources provided by BJA, the assessment
could never have been initiated, and without the cooperation, perseverance, and contributions of
the partners, it would not have been completed Surveys were mailed to hundreds of investigators
who are members of the 15 state and regional gang investigators associations that comprise the
National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations (NAGIA) These responses from local law
enforcement officers form the basis for the assessment To this information on gang activity was
added intelligence generated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Drug Intelligence
Center (NDIC), and two of the Regional Information Sharing Systems® (RISS) centers the Middle
Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network® and the New England State
Police Information Network® Valuable assistance in data collection was also provided by the Ohio
Attorney General's Office, and the National Youth Gang CenterTM assisted the partners throughout
the process

NAGIA especially appreciates the hard work and support for this project provided by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, whose staff coded and analyzed the survey responses, integrated the
collateral intelligence, and produced the written report We also appreciate the review of the report
and suggestions provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NAGIA would particularly like to acknowledge the support for anti-gang and anti-violence efforts of
the Office of Justice Programs and the U S. Department of Justice, such as the Gang Resistance
Education And Training (G R E AT) Program and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Initiative.
We commend their work and hope that these efforts will continue to support state and local law
enforcement in their fight against gangs



Los'Surefios umbrella Once aligned with the Mexican
Mafia, the group incorporated the number 13 in its name
MS-13, while maintaining independent leadership and
organization, remains affiliated with the Mexican Mafia

The presence of MS-13 was reported in the jurisdictions of
145 law enforcement agencies across the country, although
only 12.1 percent of respondents indicated that this gang
had moderate to high activity. MS-13 was present in 31
states.

18th Street

18th Street, formed in the 1960s, 1s a Hispanic gang
composed of individuals with mixed racial backgrounds.*?
One of the largest and oldest Hispanic gangs, 18th Street's
acceptance of immigrants and its lack of racial barriers
enabled this group to grow and expand substantially **
Originating in Los Angeles, the gang has migrated up the
West Coast and over the Midwest to the East Coast *
18th Street is calculated in its expansion and recruitment,
reportedly recruiting in elementary and middle schools.*°
It is also known to have counterparts in Mexico and
throughout Central America. 18th Street 1s known to
maintain ties with the Mexican Mafia on the West Coast
and to have rivalries with MS-13.°7

Law enforcement officials reported activity by 18th Street
in 31 4 percent of jurisdictions. Regionally, while only 22
percent of reporting agencies in the Northeast indicated the
presence of 18th Street, 60.9 percent of law enforcement
respondents from the West Coast reported its presence

Latin Kings
The Latin Kings, also known as the Almighty Latin King
_ Nation

(ALKN),
4 formed in
Chicago in
the mid-
# 1960s In
the 1980s,
after a
lengthy
power
struggle
with
members of
a - the Chicago
faction, the Connecticut- and New York-based Latin
Kings chapters separated and formed the Almighty Latin
Charter Nation and the Almighty Latin King and Queen

Nation (ALKQN), respectively Both regional factions have
operated autonomously from the Chicago faction and abide
by their own constitutions State contingencies generally
exercise allegiance to one of these three major factions
Gang membership consists predominately of Puerto Rican
males, although individuals of other ethnicities—including
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and South American—are
allowed to become members. The Latin Kings have
regional chapters across the Midwest, the East Coast, the
central states, Texas, and California, with an estimated
25,000 to 50,000 members nationwide and nearly 20,000
members residing within Chicago alone In particular,

the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut regions are
hotbeds for Latin Kings activity, including drug-related crime}
and bitter gang turf wars

Nearly half of reporting agenciles—44 8 percent—
documented the presence of the Latin Kings in their
Jurisdictions. Seventy percent of law enforcement
respondents in the Northeast reported the presence of
the Latin Kings, while 56 9 percent of respondents in the
Midwest reported their presence

Migration of Surefios Into the
Southwestern United States

Surefio gang members are migrating out of California into
the southwestern part of the United States and have been
well documented in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas
Information suggests that members of Surefio street
gangs are migrating out of California as a result of prison
transfers and to avoid the state’s tough three-strikes laws.
Once outside California, the members assimilate under
the name Surefios or Sur 13. While some gangs continue
to pay taxes to the Mexican Mafia and assist in its drug
distribution, others cut ties to California and operate as a
local gang tis not uncommon for gangs in these other
states to form using the name Surefios—when they have
ne ties to California other than an affinity for the name—so
they can bask under the reputation of the Surefios style.

The migration of Surefio gangs from California poses a
threat in terms of drug trafficking and violence because of
their extensive criminal networks. These networks not only
facilitate the expansion of drug-trafficking enterprises, they
also allow gangs to easily replace local leaders in the event
of arrest or death. Law enforcement should closely monitor
their criminal activity and their contact with gang members
in California, both on the street and in correctional
institutions

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



18. Has your gang unit increased or decreased over the past two years?
Increased 0 Decreased O Please explain..

19.: Does your jurisdiction lead or participate in a multiagency gang task force?
yYeso noo Please explain..

20. Please describe what you believe is the overall national threat

46

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



National Drug Intelligence Center
http:/\www.usdoj.gov/ndic/

Supervisor

Mr Dennis Mehall

Organized Crime and Violence Unit
National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, Fifth Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

(814) 532-4641 Office

(814) 532-4677 Fax

Intelligence Analyst

Mr. Donald L Shaver

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, Fifth Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

(814) 532-4751 Office

E-mail: Donald L.Shaver@usdoj gov

National Youth Gang Center
http:/)www.iir.com/nyge/

Mr John P. Moore

National Youth Gang Center
Post Office Box 12729
Tallahassee, FL 32317

(800) 446-0912, Ext. 226 Office
(850) 386-5356 Fax

E-mail: jmoore@ur com

Office of National Drug Control Policy
http:/www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Mr. Daniel Lipka

Office of National Drug Control Policy
750 17th Street

Washington, DC 20503

(202) 395-6747 Office

E-mail: Daniel_Lipka@ondcp.eop.gov

RISS Centers
http://www. iir.com/riss/

Chairman, RISS Directors National Policy Group
Gerard P Lynch, Esquire

140 Terry Drive, Suite 100

Newtown, PA 18940

(800) 345-1322, Ext 335 Office

(215) 504-4930 Fax

E-mail: jlynch@magloclen riss net

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
http:/www.hud.gov

Investigation Support Division

U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 8274

Washington, DC 20410-4500

U.S. Department of Justice
http:/www.usdoj.gov

Deputy Chief Bruce Delaplaine
Domestic Security Section

U.S Department of Justice

Suite 1010

1301 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-2163 Office

E-mail: bruce.delaplaine2@usdoj.gov

‘National Allance of Gang Investigators Associations 53



Table 15. Level of Gang Activit)

High (%)~

F © ele 49
“(95 Low %) ~mpflot Applicable/

Sues © : Moderate z ~ waite Unknown (%)
Gangster Disciples 205 193 23.9 36.3
De roatarg reups and Crews 182 136 15.9 511
Sur 13 136 170 125 568
Latin Kings 125 205 239 431
Vice Lords 114 136 29.5 45.4
Black Gangster Disciples 80 102 318 500
Bloods 45 80 261 614
Crips 34 9.1 25.0 62.5
Outlaws OMG 34 91 216 500

National Gangs

Bloods
In the Midwestern region, law enforcement reporting
identifies drug-related ties between Bloods in the Midwest
and Bloods on the West Coast According to the NDIC,
“Bloods sets transport multikilogram quantities of cocaine
and marijuana from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit
and distribute the drugs in locations throughout the
Great Lakes region, particularly in Ohio and Minnesota
Several Bloods sets in the region obtain cocaine from
Los Angeles-based Bloods sets ”!° In the current survey,
almost 40 percent of law enforcement officials in the
Midwestern region reported a Bloods presence, while most
of these reported a low level of activity.

Crips

The activity of the Crips in the Midwest is almost identical
to that of the Bloods. While the Crips are primarily active
on the East and West Coasts, they maintain a low level
of activity in the Midwest and have ties to their West
Coast counterparts The NDIC reports that “Crip sets
transport multikilogram quantities of cocaine and maryuana
and multiliter quantities of PCP primarily from southern
California for distribution throughout the Great Lakes
region, particularly Ohio and Minnesota ... Crips sets in
the region obtain cocaine, marijuana, and PCP from

Los Angeles-based Crips sets.” In the current survey,
almost 40 percent of law enforcement officials in the
Midwestern region reported a Crips presence, while most
of these reported a low level of activity—almost the exact
same amount of activity as the Bloods.

Latin Kings
The Latin Kings, also known as the Almighty Latin King
Nation, was formed in Chicago in the mid-1960s The

Latin Kings are one of the largest, most organized, and
violent Hispanic street gangs in Illinois. With an estimated
membership of between 25,000 and 50,000 nationwide, the
gang Is active in 34 states

By virtue of its predominately Hispanic membership, the
gang reportedly has extensive ties to several Mexican

drug cartels and ts responsible for a large amount of the
cocaine trafficking in Chicago and its surrounding areas.
According to the NDIC, Chicago-based Latin King members)
also obtain drugs from the Barrio Azteca, Texas Syndicate,
and Mexican Mafia prison gangs in Texas, as well as from
Colombian, Dominican, and Nigerian criminal groups
operating in Chicago

In the current survey, almost 60 percent of law enforcement|
Officials reported the presence of the Latin Kings in the
Midwest, and 33 percent reported a moderate or high

level of activity Of Illinois officials, 81 percent reported

a presence of Latin Kings, and 62 percent indicated a
moderate or high level of activity.

Outlaws OMG

The Outlaws Motorcycle Club ts the “dominant [outlaw
motorcycle gang] in the Great Lakes region” and claims
more than 1,100 members nationwide.'*! Midwestern
states with an Outlaws presence include Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Approximately 34 percent of officials reported some level
of activity by the Outlaws in the Midwestern region, and
about 33 percent of Illinois officials reported some level of
activity This reflects the fact that while the Outlaws are the|
dominant outlaw motorcycle gang in the region, OMGs, in
general, maintain a lower profile in the Midwestern region
compared to the chapters on the East and West Coasts

26 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



Gangster Disciples

The Gangster Disciples, also commonly referred to as the
Black Gangster Disciples, are one of the largest, most
organized, and most virulent street gangs in Chicago. They
are’ nationally recognized as the largest denomination of
Folk Nation gangs The Gangster Disciples are highly
organized and hierarchical in structure The Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and open-source reporting
estimates that the Gangster Disciples are active in 43
states and the District of Columbia, and the gang continues
to build a nationwide membership that surpasses 100,000
Intelligence reports from the NDIC state that gang
members “transport multikilogram amounts of powdered
and crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and distribute the
drugs in Chicago and the Great Lakes region ""*

Approximately 64 percent of officials responding to the
current survey reported the presence of the Gangster
Disciples, and 40 percent reported a moderate or high
level of activity Respondents were asked independently
about the activity of the Black Gangster Disciples, and

50 percent reported the presence of the gang Within
Illinois, 90 percent of investigators reported the presence
of the Gangster Disciples, and 80 percent reported the
presence of the Black Gangster Disciples. This reporting
Is consistent with intelligence concerning the gang's origin,
presence, and activity throughout the Midwest

Vice Lords

Like the Latin Kings and the Gangster Disciples, the Vice
Lords (or Vice Lord Nation) are endemic to Chicago but
have spread to states throughout the Midwest. In total,
Vice Lord sets have been confirmed in 28 states, building
a nationwide membership to nearly 35,000 members and
associates In addition to Illinois, much of the gang's
activity has been reported in neighboring states, such as
Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi,
Ohio, and lowa Chicago-based Vice Lord members
frequently migrate to the northwest Indiana area to expand
their gang activity. This is considered an ideal area to
facilitate gang activity due to the poor economic conditions
and dilapidated neighborhoods According to the NDIC,
Vice Lord Nation gangs transport and distribute
multikilogram quantities of powdered cocaine, crack
cocaine, heroin, and maryuana on a monthly basis from
Chicago to destinations throughout the Great Lakes region.
The gang obtains drugs from Mexican, Nigerian, and
Colombian DTOs in Chicago '3

In the current survey, approximately 55 percent of gang
investigators in the Midwest reported the presence of

the Vice Lords, and 25 percent reported a moderate or
high level of activity More than 90 percent of Illinois
officials reported the gang’s presence, and almost 40
percent reported moderate or high activity, consistent with
Intelligence reporting that the gang Is particularly active in
this state

Surefios

Although originally an umbrella term for gangs in southern
California, Surefio gang members have migrated across
the United States and have initiated gangs using their
California namesake Calling themselves Los Surerios
or Sur 13, these gangs sometimes maintain contact with
gang members in California but often simply emulate the
southern California gangs from which they came This !s
primarily the case in the Midwestern region. Within this
region, Surefios have been identified in Illinois, Indiana,
and Nebraska.

Midwestern officials responding to the current survey
indicated that Sur 13 was a problem in their jurisdictions,
with 43 percent reporting the presence of the gang and
more than 30 percent reporting a moderate or high level of
activity.

The following gangs were present in the Midwestern region
but were reported as having a low level of activity '** With
the exception of the Almighty P Stone Nation, it is expected
that many of these gangs would have low activity in the
Midwest, as they are primarily based on the West and/or
East Coasts

+ Almighty P Stone Nation + Bandidos

+ MS-13 + Mexican Mafia
+ Nortefios + Asian Gangs
+ 18th Street + Skinheads

+ Hells Angels

The Almighty P Stone Nation (also commonly known as the
Black Peace Stone Nation, among other names) originated
In Chicago and remains active there. Gang members
“transport multikilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, and
marijuana from Chicago and Los Angeles for distribution by
members in 20 states, primarily in the Great Lakes, West
Central, and Southeastern regions "!° Overall, officials in
the Midwest reported a low level of activity of the Almighty
P Stone Nation However, within Illinois, almost 60 percent
reported the gang's presence, and approximately 14
percent reported a moderate level of activity

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



8. Please rate’ the level of-activity of each group in your jurisdiction: Ifa group does not.exist.in your.

jursisdiction, please check N/A.

Group High Moderate Low None Unknown
Bloods (all sets) ao a oO Oo ia
UBN a Qa ia o ia
Crips (all sets) Oo Oo oO is} a
Latin Kings ia} oO Oo Qo o
Vice Lords o Oo o oO o
Almighty P Stone Nation oO oO a oO Oo
Black Gangster Disciples oO a ia Oo ia}
Gangster Disciples o a ia oO Q
Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) oO a im) ia im}
Hispanic Surefios (Sur 13) o oO o oO a
Hispanic Nortefios (14) oO ia] Oo a oO
Hispanic Other. a a a a} Oo
18" Street Gang a iat oO a Oo
La Raza Q a Qo Qo oO
Border Brothers oO ia] Oo ia] oO
Hells Angels OMG ia} Oo ao a a}
Pagans OMG Qo a oO o oO
Banditos OMG oO a a a Oo
Outlaws OMG oO a o Qo Oo
Mexican Mafia/La Eme QO QO oO oO o
Mexikanemi (Texas Mexican Mafia) ia Qa Qa Oo oO
Texas Syndicate oO go a a Qo
La Nuestra Familia a Oo Oo oO o
Seaorene Drug-Trafficking iat a o d oO
Asian Gangs (all sets) a Qo Oo oO o
Skinheads Qo o o oO oO
Other: ia oO Qo oO o

42 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



Unfortunately, not all communities are willing to
acknowledge gang problems when they exist for fear that
it will reflect poorly on the community or city as a whole.
Approximately 31 percent of law enforcement officials
surveyed reported that their communities either denied
the'problem, had no response, or expressed no interest in
It. Several officials added that their communities did not
respond to the gang problem until high-profile gang-related
incidents and homicides escalated

Although schools were often singled out as the most
frequent institutions denying gang problems, they were
also the primary institutions offering gang-prevention or
Intervention programs in communities addressing the
problem Of the law enforcement officials surveyed,
approximately 69 percent reported a positive response
from the community regarding gangs. The most frequent
response by the community was the implementation

of a gang prevention or intervention program Several
programs were mentioned multiple times in responses

to the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment Survey,
including Gang Resistance Education And Training, Drug
Abuse Resistance Education, and Gang Prevention/
Intervention Through Targeted Outreach, sponsored by the
Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For.those communities looking for ways to address the
gang problem, the Texas Attorney General provides three
useful recommendations’

Acknowledge the problem. According to the Texas
Attorney General, “Denial is never beneficial You cannot
solve a problem until you admit that it exists "*

Assess the problem. Gangs are found in communities
of every size. The Texas Attorney General advises,
“Before you can begin to find solutions to your own
situation, you must understand it. How many gangs
and gang members are there? What kinds of gangs
are present? Do you have an emerging or chronic
gang problem? .. To gather this information, you must
establish cooperative relations among schools, police,
and community organizations.””>

Act on the problem. The Texas Attorney General

says to send “a clear message to the gangs in your
community that gang activity will not go unanswered

Call neighborhood meetings for citizens concerned about
gangs Involve the media. Clean up graffiti—and keep it
cleaned up "”®

Communities that are interested in assessing the
extent and level of gang activity locally or in adopting a

collaborative model for key agencies to work together
to address gang violence can find an assessment and
implementation guide at http /Awww ur com/nygc/acgp/
default htm

it is essential that community members recognize gangs
as a growing threat, regardless of the size or location of
their towns and cities Acknowledgment and action are the
only tools communities have to respond to the violence and
intimidation accompanying gangs in their migration across
the country

Law Enforcement

Often in concert with community efforts, law enforcement
Officials have responded to gangs in numerous ways,
tanging from school resource officer programs, after-
school programs, and informational meetings in schools
and communities to “zero tolerance” enforcement policies,
aggressive patrols, and gang injunctions

Police departments have also participated in multiagency
task forces as an effective way to combat gang violence
Whether organized on a state, regional, or federal level, task
forces allow for immediate information sharing, increased
resources to collect and analyze gang intelligence, and
additional enforcement capacity in a specific region. Task
forces have allowed agencies with differing strengths to
collaborate and dismantle major gangs.

Unfortunately, due to decreases in funding and political
urgency, many gang task forces have been disbanded
Only about half of the law enforcement officials surveyed
reported that their agencies currently participate in a
multiagency task force However, many agencies reported
participation in gang investigators associations, which
hold meetings and conferences that facilitate information
sharing.

The sharing of gang intelligence 1s an issue of great
concern throughout all levels of law enforcement

Usually, the most effective sharing of information takes
place informally between individual law enforcement
officers The problems endemic in sharing information
among the many federal law enforcement agencies exist
to a large degree within some local law enforcement
agencies Gang, narcotics, homicide, and other units
within municipal police departments must ensure that
intelligence is communicated department-wide. In addition,
law enforcement administrators need to recognize that the
gang problem transcends geographic borders, making it
essential that gang investigators meet regularly with their

National Alliance of Gang investigators Associations 15



11..Are-GANGS.associated with any organized crime entities in your jurisdiction?

eNO Unknown |

Russian/Central/East European Organized Crime
Italian Organized Crime

La Cosa Nostra Organized Crime
Asian Organized Crime

Albanian Organized Crime
Nigerian Organized Crime
Middle Eastern Organizations
Mexican Drug Organizations
Colombian Drug Organizations
Dominican Drug Organizations
Other.

Other.

OyO;O/oO;oOJoO|o/oOj;oOjo;o;o

12. Are GANGS associated with any domestic or international terrorist organizations or extremist groups within your
Jurisdiction? Yes ONOO

If yes, please explain.

13 How many gangs are active in your jurisdiction?.

14 How many gang members are active in your jurisdiction?

15 What has been the response by communities within your region to the gang problem?
(Example community outreach programs, school initiatives, denial, etc )

16 Describe how gangs impact the quality of life in the communities within your jurisdiction

17. What gang interdiction, intervention, or suppression strategies have been most effective in your jurisdiction?

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 45



NAGIA believes that implementation of the following recommendations will greatly enhance the ability of criminal justice
professionals and communities to effectively address the gang problem together

Federal Role in the Gang Problem

The gang problem is found throughout the United States, in communities large and small. There is a great need fora
consistent and ongoing response to gangs at all levels, from the local to the state and federal levels This response should|
be based upon best practices and should be flexible enough to deal with both rapidly changing trends and gang problems,
which can vary greatly from one locality to another. Because gangs are a national problem, there is a need for a cohesive
national response that supersedes agency boundaries.

Gang Denial

The education of the public, school administrators, community leaders, and law enforcement officials concerning the
detrimental effects of gang denial ts critical to controlling gang growth and its impact on the community. Public and
Institutional denial of the existence of gangs and a lack of proactive community measures are perhaps the greatest
contributing factors in the alarming increase in the number, size, and strength of gangs. Denying the presence of gangs
In a community significantly hampers effective prevention of gang growth and development during the early stages when
violence 's limited and active measures can effectively deter the problem.

Law Enforcement Intelligence Sharing

The sharing of gang intelligence is an issue of great concern throughout all levels of law enforcement Usually, the most
effective sharing of information takes place informally between individual law enforcement officers. The problems endemic
in sharing information among the many federal law enforcement agencies exist to a large degree within some local law
enforcement agencies. Gang, narcotics, homicide, and other units within municipal police departments must ensure
that intelligence is communicated department-wide. In addition, law enforcement administrators need to recognize that
the gang problem transcends geographic borders, making it essential that gang investigators meet regularly with their
colleagues from other jurisdictions and receive advanced training at seminars Because of the violent nature of gang
members, both inside prisons and in communities, the sharing of information among criminal Justice professionals has
become an issue of public safety. NAGIA strongly recommends that all law enforcement agencies consider membership
in their local RISS center to facilitate the sharing of gang-related intelligence through the RISS National Gang Database,
conferences, and information sharing meetings.

Gang Definitions

There Is a need for standardized definitions of a gang, gang member, and gang crime. If criminal justice professionals are
to effectively work together and share gang-related intelligence across jurisdictions, it s imperative that they employ the
same standards to determine what constitutes a gang, gang member, and gang crime Many states do not have a gang
definition, either formal or commonly understood, among jurisdictions within that state. In fact, there are many different
definitions among jurisdictions at the state and local levels, which make it difficult to have a common discussion on gang
issues. The lack of a common definition also contributes to the complexity of quantifying the nature and extent of the gang
problem. NAGIA representatives have developed a recommended definition of the term “gang” to facilitate a national
discussion

Gang. A group or association of three or more persons who may have a common identifying sign, symbol, or
name and who individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in, criminal activity which creates an
atmosphere of fear and intimidation Criminal activity includes juvenile acts that, if committed by an adult, would
,be a crime

Uniform Crime Reporting of Gang Activity

In order to comprehend the scope and dimension of the gang problem and to accurately measure the effectiveness of ant-
gang programs, there is a need for uniform crime reporting on gangs and gang activity. Accurate reporting is needed not
only from municipal and county law enforcement agencies but also from schools

54 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



This document was prepared under Grant Number 2003-DD-BX-0311 from the
Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice

Points of view or opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of BJA or the U.S.
Department of Justice.



MS-13 and 18th Street have been noted to control
distribution in parts of this region '88

Cocaine 's brought into the West by Mexican and
Colombian DTOs through Los Angeles. From

Los Angeles, the drugs are transported across the
country '*° The Mexican Mafia and 18th Street, as well as
the.Bloods and Crips, are reported to control most street-
level distribution of both powder and crack cocaine '%°

In the Western region, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and
Seattle are significant markets for the distribution or
abuse of heroin '*! Mexican black-tar heroin is smuggled
daily into Los Angeles and then transported throughout
the. Western states.'®* Street-gang involvement in the
distribution of heroin varies substantially by jurisdiction

According to the 2003 NDTS, 19.1 percent of responding
agencies reported that OMG involvement in drug
distribution was moderate to high '? Methamphetamine
and marjuana were the most common drugs with which
OMGs were associated in the region

Table 21. Level of Gang Involvement in Crime (by Type of

Figure 9.

20.3%

Overall Gang Involvement in Crimes

19.6%

OhHigh MiModerate

OLow = [C)None/Unknown

*Figure does not add up to 100% due to rounding

Criminal Activity

Acording to Wes McBride, President of the California Gang

Investigators Association,

Crime)

While street-gang activity is most often associated
with violence, gang members involve themselves
In all manner of criminal activities, from graffitl,

vandalism, theft, burglary, carjacking, and murder. They
rob from persons, stores, banks, and armored cars '*

Vandalism and Graffiti

Felonious Assault 25.2 182
Firearms Possession 25.9 14.7
Auto Theft 31.5 18.9
Firearms Burglary 23.8 23.8
Burglary 336 26.6
Homicide 168 315
Intimidation and Extortion 273 27.3
Firearms Trafficking 175 259

te Be Almost

Table 22. Use of Firearms by Gang Members in the Commission of a Crime

Sometimes (%)

Almost

Not Applicable/

‘Always (%) Never (%) Unknown (%)
Felonious Assault 636 21.7 2.8 11.9
Homicide 559 161 28 25.2
Bank Robbery 42.0 16.8 49 364
Carjacking 41.3 28.0 5.6 25.2
Wholesale 28.0 23.1 9.1 39.9
Street Sales 231 53 8 9.1 140
Intimidation and Extortion 196 406 9.1 308
4 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



Nortefios

Like the Surefio gangs, the term nortefio is used to
describe street gangs from central or northern California
Nortefios and Surefios are considered bitter rivals; in fact,
Nortefios originally formed for protection from Surefio
gangs. Like the reporting of the presence of Surefios,
the term nortefio is used to describe an entire category of
California street gangs Therefore, it is not surprising that
more than 50 percent of officials in the Western region
reported the gang's presence, and 35 percent reported
their activity level as moderate or high

Mexican Mafia

The Mexican Mafia is one of the oldest and most powerful
prison gangs operating in the United States Like many
gangs In the West, the Mexican Mafia originated in
California and spread throughout the country However,
many groups outside California calling themselves
Mexican Mafia are not formally affiliated with the gang
These groups—often formed by California gang members
fleeing the state's tough three-strikes laws—have become
powerful in prisons, especially in Arizona (Old Mexican
Mafia and New Mexican Mafia) and Texas (Texas Mexican
Mafia, or Mexikanemi).

According to the NDIC, the “Mexican Mafia smuggles the
drugs from Tyuana into southern California for distribution
and is suspected of smuggling drugs from Mexico into
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.” It also distributes drugs
throughout northern California, Washington, and Hawaii
and, to a lesser degree, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon '”°
This presence in the Western region is reflected in the
current study, as 61 percent of officials reported the gang's
presence, and 25 percent reported a moderate or high level
of activity

California's Mexican Mafia has recently increased the
extent to which it controls the street-level drug trade
through its dominance of Surefio gangs Surefio street
gangs sell drugs and must pay a 10 percent tax to the
Mexican Mafia in return for protection in prison. Failure
to pay the tax will result in a “green light” on the gang's
members, meaning that they will be shot on sight. As
the Mexican Mafia’s control increases, some evidence
suggests that “Surefio gangs are rebelling against the
process and fighting back "!74

La Nuestra Familia
La Nuestra Familia is a highly structured and violent prison
gang primarily active in central and northern California.

The gang has also been documented across the West in
Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington '75

In the current study, 30 percent of officials in the West
reported the presence of La Nuestra Familia, and
approximately 13 percent indicated that its activity was
moderate or high. Because the gang is particularly active
In California, it is not surprising that a larger percentage of
California investigators reported moderate or high activity.

Hells Angels OMG

The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) was formed
in San Bernardino, California, in 1948 and currently
has chapters in Alaska, California, Arizona, Nevada,
Washington, and Colorado '° According to the NDIC*

HAMC is considered a primary producer and distributor

of illegal drugs in the United States While it primarily

has been involved in the production and distribution

of methamphetamine and marijuana, the OMG also

smuggles or distributes cocaine, hashish, heroin, LSD
,MDMA _ ,PCP,.. and diverted pharmaceuticals

into or within the United States.!””

In the current study, approximately 57 percent of law
enforcement officials in the West reported the presence of
the HAMC, and 25 percent reported a moderate or high
level of activity. The percentage of officials reporting HAMC|
activity in California is slightly higher, with approximately

60 percent reporting a presence and 29 percent reporting
moderate or high activity

Bandidos

Originally formed in Houston, the Bandidos OMG has been
documented in Washington, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming,
Colorado, and New Mexico The Bandidos are “particularly
active in marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine
distribution in the Southwestern and Pacific regions of the
United States "!”

In the current study, officials in the West corroborated the
Bandidos’ presence in that region Almost 30 percent of
Investigators in the region reported the presence of the
Bandidos. Intelligence indicates that the Bandidos have
a larger presence in Washington and New Mexico than
in other states in the region Within these two states, 70
percent of officials reported the gang’s presence, and 30
percent reported its activity as moderate or high

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



“Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, Probation and Parole in the United States, 2003,
Washington, DC (July 2004).
Ibid
National Major Gang Task Force, A Study of Gangs and Security Threat Groups in America’s Adult Prisons and
Jails, Indianapolis, IN (2002)
“Ibid.
%8Pjla Martinez, “Novel Attempt to Curb Prison Gang Violence,” Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 1999.
8National Major Gang Task Force, A Study of Gangs and Security Threat Groups in America’s Adult Prisons and
Jails, Indianapolis, IN (2002).
“National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Street Gangs and Prison: A Symbiotic
Relationship, Johnstown, PA (June 1998).
“New England State Police Information Network, Criminal Gangs in New England, 2003 Survey Results
“National Major Gang Task Force, A Study of Gangs and Security Threat Groups in America’s Adult Prisons and
Jails, Indianapolis, IN (2002).
“National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, National Gang Threat Assessment (February 2000)
“Information provided by Special Investigative Agent, US Bureau of Prisons, ADX Florence.
National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, National Gang Threat Assessment (February 2000).
Martinez, “Novel Attempt to Curb Prison Gang Violence.”
4TMCrime. The Gangs Behind Bars,” Insight Magazine, 28 September 1998.
. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, Highlights of the 2001
National Youth Gang Survey, Washington, DC (April 2003)
Martinez, “Novel Attempt to Curb Prison Gang Violence ”
5) S Census Bureau, “Hispanic and Asian Americans Increasing Faster Than Overall Population,” http //www.
census gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839 html’ accessed 10 September 2004
“Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S Department of Justice, National Youth Gang Survey
Trends from 1996 to 2000, Washington, DC (February 2002)
S2http://www irr com/nygc/faq.htm: accessed 10 September 2004
53Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network (MAGLOCLEN), 18th Street, Newtown,
PA (July 2003). All Law Enforcement Sensitive information gleaned from MAGLOCLEN has been omitted Sourced
information herein should be considered open-source
' “Ibid
Sibid
Ibid
Sid
: 58Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, National Youth Gang Survey
Trends From 1996 to 2000, Washington, DC (February 2002).
Ibid.
National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, National Gang Threat Assessment (February 2000)
John M. Hagedorn, “Girl Gangs: Are Girls Getting More Violent?” Streetwise, Vol. 8, No. 2 (February 1999)
®Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, Female Gangs: A Focus on
Research, Washington, DC (March 2001)
®Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, Youth Gangs in Indian
Country (March 2004).
“Ibid.
Michael H Guilfoyle, Tribal Justice Specialist, “Native Offender Reentry Programming.”
©This information has been compiled from FBI and NDIC reports and the IOMGIA 2002 International Perspective.
®7National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, Johnstown, PA
(August 2002)
National Drug Intelligence Center, U.S. Department of Justice, Bandidos Motorcycle Club,
Johnstown, PA (August 2002)

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 87



Distribution by gang members occurs at both the wholesale
and retail levels ®

Law enforcement respondents noted that gangs were
actively involved in the distribution of cocaine—particularly
crack cocaine—with 38 percent of respondents reporting
moderate to high involvement in the distribution of
powdered cocaine and 47 3 percent reporting moderate to
high involvement in the distribution of crack cocaine While
most cocaine Is obtained from Mexican, Colombian, and
Dominican criminal groups, such gangs as the Bloods, the
Crips, 18th Street, and Mara Salvatrucha have also been
known to smuggle the drugs from Mexico.” In addition,
OMGs are known to smuggle cocaine into the United
States from Canada." Hispanic and African-American
gargs are the primary distributors of cocaine at the retail
level in every region of the United States |!

Gang involvement in heroin distribution ts highest in the
Northeast, although each region Is greatly affected by this
narcotic Reports indicate that heroin distribution is on the
rise in suburban and rural areas.' Colombian, Mexican,
Dominican, Nigerian, and Asian criminal groups are the
primary suppliers of heroin to gangs in the United States.'>
While such gangs as the Gangster Disciples, Vice Lord
Nation, the Bloods, the Crips, 18th Street, Neta, and the
Latin Kings distribute heroin throughout the United States,
distribution at the retail level varies by jurisdiction '*

While most regions report less involvement by gangs in
the distribution of methamphetamine, 73 4 percent of
respondents from the West indicated high to moderate
involvement by gangs tn the distnbution of this drug
Overall, only 39 1 percent of respondents indicated
moderate to high involvement by gangs. OMGs, street
gangs, and prison gangs are all involved in the distribution
of methamphetamine '* OMGs have been reported to
produce, transport, and distnbute
methamphetamine throughout the
United States. '®

Figure 1. Percentage of Agencies Reporting a Positive Association Betwee
Gangs and Organized Crime (by Region)

Russian criminal
groups have
been reported
to control most
wholesale
distribution of
MDMA in the
United States. '°
While street
gangs are

active in the retail distribution of MDMA, reports indicate
that Caucasian males aged 18 to 30 control most retail
distribution 7°

Approximately 26 percent of law enforcement agencies
surveyed indicated that gangs were associated with
organized crime (OC) entities in their jurisdictions. Criminal
enterprises, whether street gangs or OC groups, are
involved in similar criminal activities and often cooperate
with each other to the extent that it will increase their profits
and expand their control of illicit activities. Of the reporting
agencies in the Western region, 44 percent reported a nexus
between gangs and organized crime entities (Figure 1)

The 116 law enforcement respondents who indicated
positive associations were asked to further elaborate on
the type of associations present in their regions Table 3
displays the results Eight out of ten investigators indicated
gangs were associated with Mexican drug organizations—
an expected result, as drug trafficking 1s the primary
source of income for most gangs. Law enforcement
officials identified two additional groups with which a high
percentage of gangs were associated Asian and Russian
OC groups

2 Agencies Reporting 440
Overall, 23 7 percent of respondents
40 Positive Associations
reported moderate to high gang @ 35
involvement in the distribution of £ 30
MDMA (also known as Ecstasy). 8 25
Asian-based criminal groups, both & 20 16.0 143
in the United States and Canada, 15
provide large quantities of MDMA to 10
street gangs in the United States '” 5
OMGs also obtain this drug from Or Northeast South Midwest West

Canada '® However, Israeli and

Region

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment)



High

Moderate

None Unknown

Drug

Powdered cocaine

Crack cocaine

Heroin

Methamphetamine

Marijuana

MDMA (Ecstasy) and analogs

GHB and analogs

Ketamine

Rohypnol

LSD

PCP

Psilocybin (mushrooms)

Pharmaceuticals

Other:

Other:

oOyO;oO;oO;O;oOsoO;oO;O;oO;oOJoO;oO;oO;oO;a

oyO;OJoO/oO;OsoOsoO;oOoO/oOjoOJojojojo

Dfojofojojofojojojojojojofojojolg

DyoOs/oOJO;oO/Os/osyoOyoO;oOs/oOjojojo\;ojo
OyOJOJO;O;O/Os;OyoO/oO;oOs;oO;oO;oO;oOjo

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



APPENDIX C:

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

California Gang Investigators Association
http://www.cgiaonline.org

President

Mr Wes McBride (Ret LASD Sgt )
PMB 331

5942 Edinger, Suite 113
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(888) 229-2442 Office

(714) 457-6554 Fax

E-mail: wmcbride@socal rr com

Vice President

Detective Dan Nalian

West Covina Police Department

1444 West Garvey Avenue

West Covina, CA 91790

(626) 814-8533 Office

E-mail: DANNAL1@aol com
Dan Nalian@WCPD org

East Coast Gang Investigators Association
http:/www.ecgia.org

GRIPE Web site hAttp://www.gripe4rkids.org
President

Detective Wes Daily, Jr, (Ret )

Post Office Box 478

Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

(631) 523-6555 Office

E-mail: ecgiapres@aol com

Florida Gang Investigators Association
http:/www.fgia.com

President

Mr Rusty Keeble

Office of Security Intelligence

Orange County Corrections Department
Post Office Box 4970

Orlando, FL 32802-4970

(407) 836-3190 Office

(407) 836-3103 Fax

E-mail: james keeble@ocfl net

Georgia Gang Investigators Association
http://;www.ggia.us

President

Sergeant Joey M Woods

Tift County Sheriff's Office

Post Office Box 46

Tifton, GA 31793

(229) 388-6020 Office

E-mail: joey woods @tiftsheriff net

Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators
Network (MARGIN)
http://www. hidta.org/margin/

Chairman

Corporal Tony Avendorph

Police Intelligence Unit

Prince George's County Police Department
7600 Barlowe Road

Landover, MD 20785

(301) 883-6853 Office

E-mail: FAAvendorph@co.pg.md.us

Vice Chairman

Patrick Word

Gaithersburg Maryland Police Department
14 Fulks Corner Avenue

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

(301) 258-6400, Ext 132

E-mail: pword@ci.gaithersburg md us

Secretary

Jeffrey Wennar

50 Maryland Avenue

Rockville, MD 20854

(240) 777-7321

E-mail: Jeffrey. Wennar@montgomerycountymd gov

Midwest Gang Investigators Association
http://www. mgia.org

Chairman

Lieutenant Dan Avenarius

Dubuque Police Department

770 lowa Street

Dubuque, IA 52001

(863) 589-4454 Office

(663) 589-4497 Fax

E-mail: davenari@cityofdubuque org

Vice Chairman

Investigator Robert “Jerry” Simandi
DuPage County State's Attorney
130 North County Farm Road

50

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



gang members to readily alert one another of the presence
of law enforcement or rival gang members Furthermore,
gang members also use pay-as-you-go cell phones and

. TRE 7 7s. call forwarding

Br a,

. seme’ +} to insulate

a lc! ee : themselves from
Fs ae % law enforcement
Pe Sil an
, In addition to
{ walkie-talkie
cell phones,
gangs also use
police scanners,
surveillance
equipment,
; and equipment
. 6 for detecting
Pee tom " microphones or
=... ue “——" bugs They use
these tools to insulate their criminal activity and to impede
law enforcement investigations.

Computers

Law enforcement respondents also report emerging

trends in the use of computers and the Internet Recent
information indicates that gangs are using computers to
produce fraudulent checks and counterfeit currency and

to develop and maintain databases of gang and drug
activity. Gangs use laptops, personal digital assistants,
and personal computers to produce materials and maintain
records of their own criminal enterprises Additionally,
gangs are now using the Internet to track court proceedings
and identify witnesses Using information and public
records on legal proceedings, gangs are identifying and
exploiting witnesses through intimidation and violence

Internet

The Internet is
often used for
soliciting sexual
acts for money in
the form of Internet
prostitution and
Internet gaming in
the form of online
video games
According to law
enforcement
respondents,
these games have
led to physical

confrontations between participating gang members The
Internet provides a venue for the sale of gang-related
music, clothing, and other gang paraphernalia _ Intelligence
also indicates that gangs are becoming more involved in
the pirating of movies and music via the Internet This
lucrative criminal industry does not require a great deal

of technical equipment or knowledge, and gangs can
allegedly make more money copying films than selling
drugs 7°

Gangs continue to use Web sites to notify members of
meetings and event dates Rural and suburban gangs use
Web sites to
disseminate
Information
about the
activities

of urban
gangs and to
emulate their
behavior
These sites
have also
been used
by gangs

to advocate political platforms Web sites often include
photos of members, tattoos, and gang hand signs Sites
may also have bulletin boards, message boards, or chat
rooms where members can post messages or “shout-
outs” to identify cliques or chapters of the gang in various
cities Many of these sites are now becoming password-
protected, members-only sites. However, it is important to
note that Web sites may contain false information intended
to mislead other gangs and law enforcement. There is no
documentation quantifying the existence of these sites or
the types of information they contain.

Survey respondents stated that gangs use the Internet to
steal victims’ personal information and to perpetrate theft or
fraud, as in the case of identity theft. This can be effected
using a number of electronic methods, including the use

of Trojans (or backdoors) that give the thieves unlimited
access to the information on the victim's computer or e-mail
scams that pose as requests from a seemingly legitimate
company asking victims to verify personal information or
account details Gangs may even be able to access other
information the victims have shared on the Internet?!

Law enforcement respondents to the 2005 National Gang
Threat Assessment noted that Asian gangs are highly
involved in these high-tech crimes.

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment|



Fe a ge ek ite, _
if 2 NAT NAL. IGE
bai ope

ro THREAT ‘ASSESSMENT ~
aE ated at ee, ite ee

SR a

ad
4

s

aN

iy
%

te



Criminal Activity

Hispanic gangs are moving into new territories and
expanding their criminal enterprises The expansion of
gangs nto a region will likely coincide with an increase in
crime and violence. Respondents to the 2005 National
Gang Threat Assessment Survey indicated that gangs are
at least moderately involved in 26.6 percent of cme

When asked to describe the level of gang involvement in
specific crimes, law enforcement agencies in the South
were able to document certain trends Gangs in this region
were most highly involved in vandalism and graffiti

crimes as well as felonious assaults. More than one-

third of respondents indicated at least moderate gang
involvement in burglary and firearm possession Thirty
percent of respondents indicated that gangs almost always
use firearms in the commission of felonious assaults or
homicides Additionally, 53 8 percent reported that gang
members use firearms at least sometimes in the street
distribution of drugs

Overall, investigators responding to the 2005 National
Gang Threat Assessment in the South specifically noted
the-following gang trends having an impact on communities
and law enforcement efforts

Increases in neighborhood or homegrown gangs,

Increased graffiti and tagging;

A significant rise in the number of Hispanic gangs
and gang members,

The escalation of gang violence due to drug
trafficking and turf wars, and

The denial of gang presence in several
Jurisdictions

MIDWESTERN REGIO

Law enforcement officials in the

allegiance to traditional gang groups. Overall, 42 percent
of law enforcement respondents to the 2005 National Gang
Threat Assessment Survey reported a slight or significant
increase in gang activity in the past 12 months

General Trends

The Midwest, especially Chicago, has historically been a
center for gang activity. Chicago is home to some of the
largest and
most violent
gangs in the
country. In
addition, itis a
transportation
hub for the
movement

of illicit drugs
throughout the
country Gang
migration in
this region has been prevalent for several years Gangs
are moving from the larger cities to more suburban and
tural regions, where there is new and fertile ground for
recruitment and drug trafficking, especially in areas where
law enforcement pressures are less evident

Gang Presence and Migration

The Gangster Disciples are reported to have the highest
level of activity in the Midwest, although reporting indicates
that several additional gangs have high or significant
activity

Table 15 illustrates that the Midwest sees high levels of
activity from the Gangster Disciples, Los Surefios, Latin
Kings, and Vice Lords. However, a large percentage of
officials also reported the Black Gangster Disciples, Bloods,
Crips, and Outlaws as having a significant level of activity.
Officials reported that neighborhood-based groups are also
very active in the Midwest

Figure 6. Presence of Gang Activity Over Time

Midwestern region of the United 60

States reported that gang » 50

activity has been increasing 2 40

over the past two years. High 5 30 - 7 1
schools and middle schools § 4 Ss L
are reporting more activity, and 20 = | yl
crime on college campuses 10 Tees = te
is on the rise Investigators 0 emma il EF] 7 st 4

noted that gangs seem to be
hiding ther affilations, not

Within Past 6 Months

Within Past 12 Months Within Past 5 Years

wearing colors, and denying [ Increased S!

ignificantly Clincreased Slightly _ ilo Change |

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 25



murder, bombings, extortion, arson, and assault The
Hells Angels, Bandidos, and Outlaws have also been
involved in weapons trafficking, prostitution, money
laundering, explosives violations, motorcycle and
motorcycle-parts theft, intimidation, insurance fraud,
kidnapping, robbery, theft, stolen property, counterfeiting,
and contraband smuggling (see Table 5)

Individual club members are also involved in all types of
criminal activity apart from the activities of the club In
some cases, the club sanctions these criminal activities,
while in other cases, the criminal activities are carried out
by individual OMG members on their own In many cases,
individual members conduct the same type of criminal
activity conducted by the club

ies of OMGs“

Drug Trafficking

OMGs are involved in the trafficking of multiple types

of drugs, and specific drug activity tends to depend on

the geographic region—that ts, the distribution of drugs

In a given geographic area reflects the preferences of

the drug consumers in that area. For example, while
marijuana 1s used in all parts of the country, the demand
for methamphetamine Is primarily in the West, and cocaine
demand is primarily in the East Nevertheless, OMGs as a
club and OMG members individually will generally deal in
any drug that provides a source of income

The Hells Angels are considered primary producers

and distributors of illegal drugs within the United States

They have been identified as involved with maryuana,
methamphetamine,

s_.Hélls‘Angels  Bandidos reece cocaie, hashish, heroin,
LSD, PCP, and diverted
Drugs pharmaceuticals °”
Production x x x
Smuggling x x x The Bandidos have used
Transportation x x x their worldwide network
Distribution x x x x of chapters to distribute
Weapons Trafficking x x x marijuana, cocaine,
Murder x x x x and methamphetamine.
Prostitution x x x Frequently, the drugs
Money Laundering x x x originate outside the
United States and are
Explosives Violation x x x
smuggled into the country
Bombings x x x x via a multitude of different
Motorcycle and x x x methods They cross
Motorcycle-Parts Theft the border at manned
Intimidation x x x border crossings while
Extortion x x x x hidden in vehicles and
Arson x x x x at other points along the
Assault x x x x unprotected border The
Insurance Fraud x x x retail distribution of drugs
Kidnapping x x x is normally handled by
Robbery x x X hang-arounds, prospects,
Theft X X x and support clubs,
Stolen Property x x x with Bandido members
normally distributing at
Counterfeiting x x x the wholesale level.®*
Contraband Smuggling x x x

While OMGs have long been involved in violence and
drugs, their ties to organized crime represent a relatively
new phenomenon In addition to reports that OMGs are
performing some menial tasks for organized crime, there
are also indications that OMGs may be attempting to take
over many of the activities of traditional OC entities

The Outlaws are major
producers and distributors of methamphetamine, although
they are also involved in the transportation and distribution
of maryuana, cocaine, MDMA, and prescription drugs
Their involvement in drugs has been long-standing, and
two of their former international presidents, Henry Bowman

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations

“Federal Bait investijation ;
. : National Dru Ane We ond ek
ste “Bureau BF Alcohol “Tobe

ae,

Bureau of Justice Assistance
ey Ce NSSISNS



APPENDIX A:
National Gang Threat Assessment Survey

Agency Name

Name of person filling out survey

Title

Address:

City State: Zip

County

Telephone

Fax

E-mail:

Jurisdiction/Region (Please indicate what city/cities or county/counties pertain to your answers.):

Total population of area reporting on:.

National Alliance of Gang investigators Associations 37



gang activity While results varied from state to state,
several overall trends and patterns were identified More
than 50 percent of agencies responding to the 2005
National Gang Threat Assessment reported an increase

In the presence of gangs over the past five years Even
within the past six months, 45 6 percent of agencies
reported at least a slight increase in the presence of gangs

The following sections further document the trends

In migration, drug trafficking, and criminal enterprises
identified from information received from law enforcement
agencies

Gang Presence and Migration
Gangs in the Southern region of the United States claim
both neighborhood-based and national affiliations. Table 11

Figure 4. Presence of Gang Activity Over Time

survey, about 35 percent of officials in the Southern region
reported an MS-13 presence, however, approximately 50
percent of officials in Texas, Virginia, and Maryland alone
reported the presence of MS-13 in their jurisdictions,
consistent with reporting that the gang is particularly active
In these states.

Bloods

Intelligence reporting documents the presence of the
Bloods throughout the Southern region In Maryland,
investigators see the presence of UBN,'* which is typically
more structured than the LA-based Bloods," while in
North Carolina!” and Virginia,''® Bloods are typically less
structured and are described as offshoots or factions of
their West Coast counterparts Members of the Bloods
sets are said to transport “multikilogram quantities of
cocaine and marijuana
primarily from
southern California

and Texas and

40
: 1
g * =
I -. — _—
5 20 Le
@ 10 +— |. 2e| - | __
wy i
0 E...| I. Jeet | ; ! __
Within Past 6 Months

Within Past 12 Months

distribute the drugs in
locations throughout
the Southeastern
region, particularly
Florida, Georgia, and
Tennessee "!!°

" Little Rock, Arkansas,
has also noted a

Within Past 5 Years

[ flncreased Significantly | lncreased Slightly mlNo Change

significant presence
of Bloods sets

demonstrates that the largest percentage of investigators
reported moderate or high activity by neighborhood-
based gangs As in the Northeastern region, these
homegrown gangs are responsible for much of the gang
activity. However, 10 national gangs are also significantly
represented in the Southern region

National Gangs

MS-13

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network
(MARGIN) reports that MS-13 is the largest and most
dangerous threat in the Mid-Atlantic area. Specifically in
Virginia and Washington, DC, MS-13 has solidified itself
as the largest Hispanic gang '''! MS-13 has also been
expanding into North Carolina and Virginia 11!

Intelligence reporting in 2002 indicated that MS-13
members trafficked in powdered cocaine, marjuana,
heroin, and methamphetamine throughout the South,
including Texas, Virginia, and Maryland !'* In the current

Consistent with this
intelligence, more than 50 percent of law enforcement
Officials in the current survey reported the presence of the
Bloods, with 24 percent reporting high or moderate activity

Crips

Like the Bloods, the Crips are also present throughout the
South Crips sets in this region operate autonomously
and are not formally affiliated with West Coast Crips '?° In
North Carolina, the Crips show signs of a Midwest influence
in their adoption of the traditional Gangster Disciples’ signs
and symbols, such as pitchforks and six-pointed stars '2!
Crips follow drug-trafficking patterns similar to those

that the Bloods follow. “Members of Crip sets transport
cocaine, maryuana, heroin, methamphetamine, and PCP.
primarily from southern California, Texas, and Florida for
distribution throughout the southeastern states "!”?

In the current survey, 30 percent of officials reported
moderate or high Crips activity, and an additional 25
percent reported a low level of activity by the gang

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations



antisocial
activity. There
Is some
evidence of
increased
sophistication
in the
planning of
violent
attacks,
especially

in the use

of ambush
techniques and assaults on police officers. This level of
sophistication appears to span all types of gangs, with
numerous agencies also reporting an increased use of
technology among gang members.

Table 18. Use of Fit

earms by Gang Members ii
Almost

the Commission of a Crime

National Gangs

MS-13

MS-13 originated in Los Angeles and has migrated to areas|
throughout the United States. In addition to California,
MS-13 cliques have been identified in Alaska, Colorado,
Nevada, Arona, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington." The
gang transports “multikilogram quantities of powdered
cocaine and marijuana and kilogram quantities of heroin
and methamphetamine throughout the Southwest,
particularly southern California, Nevada, and Texas.”!©

In the current survey, officials in the Western region
reported a relatively low level of activity by MS-13.
Although 40 6 percent of officials in the West reported an
MS-13 presence, less than 10 percent reported a moderate
or high level of activity Within California, a similar
percentage of officials reported the gang's presence and
level of activity

Always (%) Sometimes (%
Homicide 364 102 57 477
Felonious Assault 352 239 114 296
Carjacking 20.5 14.8 11.4 53.4
Street Sales 13.6 330 17.0 363
Intimidation and Extortion 12.5 307 114 45.5
Wholesale 114 47.7 136 27.3

Responses from 143 law enforcement agencies from 12
states in the Western region provided insight into gang
activity in this region Resonating throughout the region
was the fact that within the last 12 months, the majority of
teporting agencies noted moderate to significant increases
In gang-related activity

Gang Presence and Migration

By far, the gang with the highest-reported activity was
Los Surefios The large presence of Surefio gang
members Is consistent

Figure 8. Presence of Gang Activity Over Time

One explanation for the low level of reported MS-13 activity
In the West is the gang’s migration to the Mid-Atlantic
region, especially to northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Thus, despite the gang's Los Angeles origins, it is currently
most active on the East Coast

18th Street
The 18th Street gang formed in Los Angeles, and it is
estimated that 80 percent of the gang's California members

with reported migration 50

patterns of this gang into

both large cities and small 40

communities Nortefios, & 30

Asian gangs, Bloods, and © ro
3 20+—

Crips were also noted as H .

highly active in several of 10 7—

the reporting jurisdictions

L i.

Neighborhood-based gangs
remain active throughout

Taw
Within Past 6 Months

Within Past 12 Months Within Past 5 Years

the region.

[ Oincreased Significantly Gilncreased Slightly © TMNo Change

30 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment!|



colleagues from other jurisdictions and receive advanced
training at seminars. Because of the violent nature of gang
members, both inside prisons and in communities, the
sharing of information among criminal justice professionals
has become an Issue of public safety NAGIA strongly
recommends that all law enforcement agencies consider
membership in their local RISS center to facilitate the
sharing of gang-related intelligence through the RISS
National Gang Database, conferences, and information
sharing meetings

The response to gangs posed by community members
and law enforcement will determine the success or failure
of a gang. Denial and neglect will foster the growth of
gangs and allow them to establish a resilient organizational
structure, making prosecution more difficult It 1s clear that
many communities are ignoring the problem in the hopes
that it will quietly go away or bypass their region However,
itis also clear that many communities are meeting the
challenge with prevention, intervention, and enforcement

| NORTHEASTERN REGION

General Trends

Wes Daily, President of the East Coast Gang Investigators
Association, relates the general feeling of gang
Investigators across the Northeastern region when he
states

Gangs are growing. Seldom has a day gone by
without some television, radio, or newspaper headline
teferring to gang activity With the growing population
of undocumented persons in the Northeastern region,
gangs from Mexico and Central America are increasing
Drug dealing continues to be a main method of
generating income. Gangs are growing, reorganizing,
and joining together to form hybrid groups The result
1s that in the Northeastern region, gangs are a serious
and constant issue
that impacts all

Figure 2. Presence of Gang Activity Over Time

New York, and Pennsylvania were among the states that
provided insight for this regional assessment

Over the past
five years, the
Northeastern
region has
seen an
increase in
gang activity
Surveys
indicate that
over the past
five years,

56 8 percent of responding law enforcement agencies saw
an increase in gang activity, with 39 2 percent reporting

a significant increase (see Figure 2). Within the past six
months, 41 2 percent of these agencies continued to report
Increases In gang activity, with 13 7 percent reporting a
significant increase

Gang Presence and Migration

Law enforcement agencies indicate a wide-ranging scope
of gang presence in the area While many of the gangs in
this region are largely neighborhood-based, several have
been documented as having a national affiliation.

Table 7 illustrates the large role that neighborhood-

based drug-trafficking groups play in gang activity in the
Northeastern region Intelligence reporting confirms that
many gangs in this region are either homegrown or are
local versions of national gangs, which assume the gang
name but are not connected to any national leadership or
structure However, some nationally recognized gangs
have a strong presence in many states in the Northeast—
especially the Bloods and Latin Kings. Recent surveys
conducted by the New England State Police Information
Network (NESPIN) substantiate this information.

Within Past 12 Months Within Past 5 Years

communities ””
40
In the Northeast, 3 30
g
51 law enforcement e
agencies documented 8 205
trends and patterns 2 10 +
In gang activity
Connecticut, 0
Massachusetts, Within Past 6 Months
New Hampshire,
New Jersey,

G Increased Significantly Olncreased Slightly No Change |

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



The 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment brought to light several new trends in gang activity

and gang migration Hispanic gang membership Is growing, especially in the Northeast and South
Gangs are more sophisticated in their use of technology and computers and are using these tools to
perpetrate criminal acts. Respondents reiterated that gangs remain a constant threat, that they are
still growing in membership and violence, and that denial by communities 1s a gang's greatest ally

As gangs migrate across the country, they bring with them crime and violence Reasons for
migration range from expansion of territories to families moving because of Jobs or incarceration
As families move, they bring with them children, associates, and long-distance ties to gangs The
migration of gang members leads to the establishment of gangs in neighborhoods previously gang-
free and may bring new arrivals into potentially deadly conflict with local gangs Many times the
migratory pattern, as well as the genesis and growth of homegrown gangs, !s indirectly aided by
official denial. This allows the gangs to work with anonymity, establishing gang turfs that support
narcotic networks and neighborhood drug dealing Gang members returning from prison also have
an impact on neighborhoods Jurisdictions with returning members have documented notable
Increases In violence and drug trafficking ! Lack of community-assistance programs for these
individuals only compounds the problem

New immigrant populations in the United States are also vulnerable to gang activity Often
immigrants are isolated in communities by language and employment difficulties This is apparent
in many Hispanic immigrant communities. Hispanic gangs flourish as a means of providing the
communities with support and protection Asian gangs, on the other hand, often victimize Asian
communities, as the communities are less likely to report crimes to law enforcement

New hybrid and homegrown gangs with no apparent national affiliations are blurring the traditional
boundaries of alliances and rivalries In some communities, colors, tattoos, and outward
acknowledgement of gang affiliations are less visible as gangs try to hide from law enforcement. In
other jurisdictions, gangs are uniting to strengthen and facilitate more extensive criminal activities
Money remains the driving force behind most criminal enterprises

Across the nation, gang-related statistics are maintained sporadically, making It difficult to obtain

an exact measurement of gang violence Additionally, the lack of a national definition of gang and
gang-related crime acceptable to law enforcement and the political establishment compounds the
problem Only estimates of the actual number of gangs and gang members across the United
States exist. The most recent survey conducted by the National Youth Gang Center estimates the
number of youth gangs in the United States to be 21,500, with 731,500 gang members? Prison
gangs, motorcycle gangs, and adult gangs are excluded from these estimates The 2002 National
Youth Gang Survey, conducted by the National Youth Gang Center, also found that alll cities with
populations of 250,000 or more reported a youth gang problem, in addition, 87 percent of cities with
populations between 100,000 and 249,999 reported youth gang problems *

Apparent in many responses to the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment was community

fear Citizens often expressed fear of the continual violence in their neighborhoods, and they also
expressed fear for their children Gang members are recruiting in elementary, middle, and high
schools, and children are often forced to join one gang for protection from another

Throughout the 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment, law enforcement agencies have noted
trends and patterns of gang activity However, reiterated throughout 's the underlying need for
communities and law enforcement to jointly acknowledge and address this problem

TAY ony

eet

gale 0 TE ae

a
fy

%
a
a
3

wire S
bite

Hage te
ia.

i

pete 6
Seok RN lala,



Metro Gang Unit

Memphis, TN

(901) 385-5186 Office

E-mail: bartlettf@shelby-sheriff org

Texas Gang Investigators Association
http://www.tgia.net

President

Mr Victor Bond

Post Office Box 15436

Houston, TX 77020

(713) 877-5203 Office

(713) 877-5291 Fax

E-mail: vbond@pdq net

Virginia Gang Investigators Association
http:/www.vgia.org

President

Detective Randy Crank

Gang Squad

Norfolk Police Department

3661 East Virginia Beach Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23502

(757) 664-7161 Office

(757) 456-6076 Pager

(757) 664-7003 Fax

E-mail: Gangcop42@cox net

Association Address
Post Office Box 1573
Norfolk, VA 23501
(757) 482-4996 Office

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives
http://www.att.treas.gov

Chief Mark Jones

Intelligence Division

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Room 7000

650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20226-0013

(202) 927-5838 Office

(888) 876-0730 Pager

(202) 927-8972 Fax

E-mail: mjones@atfhq atf treas gov

Bureau of Justice Assistance
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/

Bureau of Justice Assistance
810 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531

Federal Bureau of Investigation
http://www.fbi.gov

SSA Unit Chief Jeffrey L Riley

Safe Streets and Gang Unit

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20535

(202) 324-3000; Ext. 4053 Office

Unit Chief Lynn White

Violent Crimes Intelligence Unit
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20535

(202) 324-8653 Office

(202) 324-6137 Fax

E-mail: wiwhit@cospo.osis.gov

Federal Bureau of Prisons
http://www.bop.gov

Mr. William Fall

Organized Crime and Violence Unit
National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street

Johnstown, PA 15901

(814) 532-4911 Office

(814) 532-4677 Fax

MAGLOCLEN
http://www. iir.com/riss/magloclen/index.htm

Executive Director

Gerard P. Lynch, Esquire
MAGLOCLEN

140 Terry Drive, Suite 100
Newtown, PA 18940

(800) 345-1322; Ext. 335 Office
(215) 504-4930 Fax

E-mail: jlyn>ch@magloclen.riss.net

‘2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



he following crime problems in your jurisdiction. sae
f eer

High

Moderate

Low None Unknown

Drug Trafficking

a

Street Sales

Wholesale

Chemical Drug Manufacture

Intimidation/Extortion

Robbery

Bank Robbery

Jewelry Theft

Interstate Theft of Stolen Property

Auto Theft

Chop Shop

Carjacking

Burglary

Murder

Felonious Assault (Including Drive-by Shooting)

Sexual Assault/Rape

Kidnapping

Weapons

Firearms Trafficking

Firearms Burglary/Theft of Gun

Straw Purchases

Firearms Possession Offenses

Explosives/Explosive Devices

Other

Arson

Prostitution

Fraud

Identity Theft

Insurance Fraud

Credit Card Fraud

Vandalism/Graffiti/Tagging

Money Laundering

Human Trafficking

Other:

Other:
Rate Overall Crime Problem

OPOO/O/OlOloOjoO/oO/oOsoOsofoyojoolojololoyoyoOsoOsoO;oO;oO/oOsoOyoOyoO;oOjoOsoOjoOjoO/o

OLOJO/O/O/O/OO;OJO/OsOsOO|O/OsoO;Os/oOsoOsoOoOyOs;oO;oO;OsoO;OJ;O;O;oO/oOsoOj;oO\;o

DOJO/O/O/O/Os/OO/OOoO/OO;OoOsoOoO OOOO ;O;oO;OOsoO;oO;oO;oOJoO;oO;oO;oO;oO;oO
DPOOsO/OsOJOJOsOOsOsoOsojoOyoOsoOsoOjoOjoOsoOjoOyoOyoOsoO;oO;oOsoOoO;oOJoO;oO/oOj;oOjoO;ojo
OPFOJOJO/O;O;OsoOJOOoOsO;OoOsoOoO/O/O/oOsoOoO;oOoO;oO;oOJoOs;oO;oOyoOyoO;oO;oO;oO;oO;oO/;oO

38

2005 National Gang Threat Assessment,



3: Please indicate how often gangs use firearms while committing the following crimes=Check N/A’if gangs

are not involved in these crimes.

Almost
Always

Sometimes

Almost
Never

Zz
>

Unknown

Drug Trafficking

oO

oO

oO

oO

Street Sales

Wholesale

Chemical Drug Manufacture

Intimidation/Extortion

Robbery

Bank Robbery

Jewelry Theft

Interstate Theft of Stolen Property

Auto Theft

Carjacking

Burglary

Murder

Felonious Assault
(Including Drive-by Shooting)

OyO;O;oO;O;oOJoO;oO;oO;oO;oO;oO;o

OyOjOs;oO;oO;oO;oO;oOs;oO;oOyoO;oO;o

DlOs/OJOjyoOJ;oO;oO;oO;oOl;oOjoO;ojo

oyOJOyOJoO;oOyO;oO;oO;oO;oO;oOoO;oO

Sexual Assault/Rape

Kidnapping

Prostitution

Human Trafficking

Other:

Other.

OjOjojoO|;ojo

OjoOjoO;oO};oO;o

oyoO;oO;oOjoO|o

oyoOjoOyoO;oOjo

OyoOjoOjoO;oO/oO; oyoooOsO;oOs;oOsoO;oO;oO;oO;oO\oO

40

‘2005 National Gang Threat Assessment



Asian Organized Crime

Approximately 28 percent of law enforcement agencies
reported that gangs were associated with Asian OC groups
It is not uncommon for Asian criminal enterprises to work
with street gangs, as their cooperation increases both

their profits and the extent of the criminal activity 22 Asian-
based OC groups are often involved in multiple criminal
activities. This includes drug trafficking, credit card fraud,
illegal gaming, and money laundering 74 However, violence
remains a defining characteristic of these organizations 7°

Table 3. Percentage of Agencies Reporting Association
Between Gangs and Organized Crime Entities (by Type
of Organization)

Type of Organized Crime
Mexican Drug Organizations

Asian Organized Crime

Russian/Central/East European Organized Crime

Colombian Drug Organizations

Dominican Drug Organizations

Middle-Eastern Organized Crime 69
La Cosa Nostra Organized Crime 69
Italian Organized Crime 6.0
Nigerian Organized Crime 43
Albanian Organized Crime 34
Other 1

Additionally, these groups are involved in human trafficking
and migrant smuggling 7°

Cooperation between Asian street gangs and more
sophisticated Asian OC groups is widespread Asian OC
groups and street gangs work with non-Asian groups,
usually for the purposes of drug trafficking

Russian Organized Crime

Over 24 percent of law enforcement officials indicated
that gangs were associated with Russian organized crime
in their jurisdictions According to the Middle Atlantic-
Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network
(MAGLOCLEN), “Unlike most organized crime groups,
post-Soviet criminals do not discriminate along ethnic lines
and focus solely on illicit profits."*” Russian groups have
been associated with “Asian, Colombian, Dominican,

La Cosa Nostra, outlaw motorcycle gangs, street gangs,
and the YACS [Yugoslavian, Albanian, Croatian, and
Serbian crime groups].”2*

Russian OC groups may coordinate with local gangs
(Russian or non-Russian) to conduct low-level criminal

activities in which they do not want to heavily involve
themselves For example, law enforcement intelligence
indicates Russian OC groups have been associated with
the Crips in California for the purpose of fencing stolen
goods

It is possible that law enforcement officials have identified
as Russian OC groups those that are more accurately
described as Russian street gangs

Many groups from the former Soviet Union consisting
of younger immigrants have formed gangs in the United
States that are equivalent to relatively small, local street
gangs These gangs generally do not engage in major
criminal enterprises but partake in low-level criminal
activities §These gang-type groups are made up of the
individuals who are most often encountered by US law
enforcement, as opposed to higher-level OC figures 7°

GANGS AND, TECHNOLOG

Gangs
have kept
pace with
advancing
technology
and are
utilizing
new tools to
communicate -
with each
other,
facilitate
criminal activity, and avoid detection by law enforcement.
Approximately 45 percent of respondents to the 2005
National Gang Threat Assessment reported gangs

using technology in the commission of crimes Although
gangs have used technology in the form of computers,
the Internet, and cellular phones in the past, they are
constantly expanding their capabilities as new technology
becomes available and affordable and as young people
proficient with emerging technology join gangs

Cell Phones

The most frequently reported use of technology in the
2005 National Gang Threat Assessment was that of cell
phones with the walkie-talkie or push-to-talk function, such
as Nextel phones Investigators reported that gangs use
this technology because they believe it is untraceable or
not subject to wiretaps Walkie-talkie cell phones enable

‘National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations