2013

NATIONAL GANG INTELLIGENCE CENTER

iii

2013 National Gang Report

The 2013 National Gang Report (NGR) represents an overview of current gang activities and 

trends in the United States. Intelligence herein depicts survey data retrieved collectively from 

the National Gang Survey (NGS) of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations 

(NAGIA); the Gangs and US Border Survey conducted by US Customs and Border Protection 

(CBP); open source reports; and anecdotal examples of gang activity as captured by state, 

local, tribal and federal gang investigators across the nation.

NAGIA’s NGS – which served as the primary source of data collection for the NGR – was disseminated to law enforcement officials across the United States. Participation was voluntary. 

Six hundred thirty one state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies responded. 

Results indicate that participants this year dropped by 25 percent from participants of the 2010 

National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS). One reason for the decrease in participation stems from 

the fact that mechanisms for previous data collections were defunded. Another contributing 

factor lies in the decline in resources due to the fiscal sequestration of the US Government. 

Restraints on government resources adversely affect every level of law enforcement, largely 

by creating shortages in manpower and thereby limiting data collection efforts and reporting 

abilities.

Due to inconclusive reporting and lack of confidence in estimates collected from the NGS, the 

NGR does not contain numbers or estimates of gang members in the United States. The National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC) recommends contacting individual state and local law 
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2013 National Gang Report

National Gang Intelligence Center

The NGIC was established by Congress in 2005 in order to support law enforcement agencies 

through timely and accurate information sharing and to provide strategic and tactical analysis 

to federal, state, and local law enforcement. A multi-agency fusion center, the NGIC integrates 

its resources to investigate and study the growth, migration, and criminal networks of gangs 

that pose a significant threat to communities throughout the United States. The NGIC is comprised of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); 

US Bureau of Prisons (BOP); United States Marshals Service (USMS); US Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement (ICE); US Department of Defense (DOD); and CBP. 

A key function of the NGIC is to educate the law enforcement community on all matters relevant to gangs. In its mission to educate law enforcement, NGIC analysts use their subject 

matter expertise to train state, local, and federal gang investigators across the nation. The 

NGIC further educates law enforcement by integrating its resources to create and disseminate 

intelligence products that ultimately widen awareness and promote officer safety. Within the 

last two years, the NGIC has disseminated 185 intelligence products and delivered 85 briefings to state, local, and federal gang investigators across the nation.

One of the NGIC’s primary resources is NGIC Online. A web-based information system, NGIC 

Online supplies state, local, federal, and international law enforcement partners with an array 

of tools designed to research gang-related intelligence. NGIC Online is available through the 

Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP). To access NGIC Online, law enforcement officers 

first must authenticate their credentials through the LEEP website, www.cjis.gov. Users can 

then connect directly to NGIC Online and employ its resources to obtain intelligence on a 

stream of matters relevant to gang populations and activities across the nation. A digital warehouse of data – NGIC Online contains a Gang Encyclopedia; Signs, Symbols, and Tattoos 

Database; Gang Terms Dictionary; Intelligence Library; and a Gang Training and Events Calendar – all of which are fully searchable and provide users with a vast collection of intelligence 

products; images; announcements; officer safety alerts; and other materials aimed to promote 

gang awareness and to assist gang investigations at state, local, and federal levels. NGIC 

Online also features two communication platforms – a Discussion Board and a Request for 

Information portal – that allow users to solicit analytical assistance from NGIC and to communicate with NGIC’s network of subject matter experts on gang matters. The NGIC encourages 

NGIC Online users to post announcements, share comments and suggestions, and contribute 

intelligence. The NGIC Online, since 2012, has received 406,287 hits from state, local, tribal 

and federal gang investigators nationwide. 

For further information, the NGIC may be contacted via email at ngic@leo.gov or by telephone 

at 1-800-366-9501.

Table of Contents

National Gang Intelligence Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Scope and Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Street Gangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Prison Gangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Gangs, Drug Trafficking Organizations, and Organized Crime Syndicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Gang Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Gangs and Financial Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Gangs and Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Gang Members’ Employment in Government Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Gangs, Weapons, and Explosives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Gangs in Educational Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Female Roles in Gangs and Female Gangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Gangs, Prostitution, and Human Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Gangs and the US Border . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Gangs and Extremist Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Law Enforcement Actions and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
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2013 National Gang Report

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National Alliance of 

Gang Investigators Associations 

The National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations (NAGIA) is a cooperative organization formed in 1998. With more than 20,000 members representing 23 state and regional 

gang investigator associations across the country, the NAGIA integrates the expertise of gang 

investigators nationwide, and combines multiple resources to combat the threat gangs pose to 

national security.

The NAGIA works to ensure public safety and to fulfill the national need for a coordinated response to violence, drugs, and other gang-related crimes that adversely impact the quality of 

life within our communities. A unique alliance of criminal justice professionals, the NAGIA dedicates its efforts to the promotion and coordination of anti-gang strategies and provides leadership in the development and recommendation of programs designed to control gang crime. 

As part of its function, the NAGIA consolidates and distributes intelligence; advocates standardized training; provides professional training; establishes uniform gang definitions; advises 

policymakers; maintains partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement; aids 

communities with emergent gang problems; assists criminal justice professionals and public 

figures in identifying gang members, tracking gangs, and battling gang crime worldwide.

The NAGIA does not serve to replace or duplicate services provided by other entities, but rather drives federal, state, and local anti-gang initiatives and provides support to regional gang 

investigator associations and the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program.

PREFACE

The NGIC prepared the 2013 NGR as an examination of the threat violent gangs pose to communities across the United States. The 2013 NGR is not an extension of the 2009 or the 2011 

installments; rather, it is a national overview of gangs in the United States. The 2013 NGR 

highlights current trends and assesses how some trends diminished over time while others 

endured and continue to evolve. This report is for compliance to Title XI, Section 1107 of Public Law 109-162, and supports US Department of Justice (DOJ) strategic objectives 2.1 (Combat the threat, incidence, and prevalence of violent crime) and 2.3 (Combat the threat, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs and the diversion of licit drugs). A compilation of intelligence 

collected from federal, state, and local law enforcement, tribal authorities, and data retrieved 

from NAGIA’s 2013 NGS, the 2013 NGR also presents information provided by NGIC partner 

agencies and open source documents reviewed through September 2013.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2013 NGR highlights current and emergent trends of violent criminal gangs in the United 

States. Consistent with the 2011 report, the 2013 installment illustrates that gangs continue to 

commit violent and surreptitious crimes – both on the street and in prison – that pose a significant threat to public safety in most US jurisdictions across the nation. 

A comprehensive overview of gang activity in the United States, the 2013 NGR examines 

gangs from a national standpoint and explains how they function as sophisticated criminal networks that engage in all levels of crime in order to further their objectives to gain control of the 

territories they inhabit and generate revenue. As the 2013 NGR demonstrates, gangs expand 

their reach through migration into communities across the nation; collaboration with other illicit networks like drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and rival gangs; active recruitment of 

membership; and through the absorption of smaller, less visible neighborhood-based gangs 

(NBGs), which continue to negatively impact US communities at a greater rate than nationallevel gangs. Intelligence herein also reviews how gangs perpetuate their criminal enterprises 

through their ability to adapt to changing social and economic environments; exploit new 

technology; target law enforcement; evade law enforcement detection; and enroll or employ 

within educational facilities, law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and through all 

branches of the US military.

KEY FINDINGS

Gangs continue to proliferate, evolve, and develop criminal tradecrafts. Based on state, local, 

and federal law enforcement reporting, the NGIC assesses that: 

•	 The US gang composition is approximately 88 percent street gang members, 9.5 percent 

prison gang members, and 2.5 percent outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG) members. NBGs 

pose the most violent and significant threat in most communities while prison gangs are 

viewed as the least problematic in most jurisdictions. OMGs are reported as the greatest 

threat in approximately 11 percent of jurisdictions, despite comprising only 2.5 percent of 

the gang composition. 
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2013 National Gang Report

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•	 Gangs continue to commit violent crimes, including assaults, and robberies, and threats 

and intimidation more so than white collar-type crimes such as identity theft and credit 

card fraud. Drug trafficking was identified as the most common criminal activity of gangs.

•	 Gangs rely on street-level drug distribution and trafficking as their primary source of 

revenue and supplement their income with crimes that pose less risk, such as prostitution, tax fraud, counterfeiting, and extortion. Street gangs utilize legitimate businesses, 

such as music establishments and cash-intensive companies to conceal and launder illicit 

proceeds. 

•	 Prison gangs launder criminal proceeds through tax fraud and extortion schemes, and 

Green Dot card/prepaid card technology. Family members, friends, and compromised 

correctional staff often facilitate gang activities and recruitment during a gang member’s 

incarceration.

•	 Street gangs continue to migrate nationwide to increase profit and drug distribution, to 

establish new territory, and in search of legitimate employment to supplement their illicit 

income. Street gang migration sometimes occurs due to prison transfers of incarcerated 

gang leaders whereby leaders order their street subordinates to relocate to communities 

proximal to the leader’s new prison facility. This helps expand the gang into new territories, increase their criminal enterprises, and provide support to their incarcerated leader.

•	 Gangs establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with other gangs and 

criminal enterprises. National-level gangs and NBGs continue to form relationships with 

DTOs, such as Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations (MTCOs). These relationships increase profits for gangs through drug distribution, drug transportation, and the 

commission of violent crimes to enforce drug payment and protect drug transportation 

corridors from rival usage. National street gangs are recruiting, organizing, and controlling 

NBGs to increase their membership and eliminate competition. Rival gangs collaborate 

for mutual profit and to increase numbers for protection on the street or while incarcerated.

•	 Gang members exploit corrections facilities, military installations, government bodies, and 

law enforcement agencies to perpetuate their criminal enterprise. Upon employment, gang 

members and associates exploit their position within law enforcement, government, and judicial agencies, and encourage their relatives and associates to follow suit, in order to gather 

information on rival gang members, target law enforcement, and disrupt criminal investigations. Gang presence in the US military continues to pose a criminal and security threat to 

law enforcement and the community as members may gain access to or master advanced 

weapons systems, develop combat skills and, gain access to sensitive items and material.

•	 Gang activity continues to expand into prostitution and human trafficking, as these crimes 

yield steady financial rewards and are perceived to be at low risk from law enforcement 

detection. The NGIC has identified at least 30 gangs that are involved in prostitution or 

human trafficking operations.

•	 Gangs employ technology in order to communicate covertly and conduct criminal operations with minimal risk of detection. Using technology, gangs locate and establish targets; 

intimidate rivals; facilitate criminal activity; enhance criminal operations; and monitor law 

enforcement. Gangs employ popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, use Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, and 

exploit online gaming systems such as Xbox and Playstation.

•	 Gang presence in US schools is a formidable obstacle for educators, law enforcement, 

and other youth-service professionals. Street gangs are linked to crime in elementary, 

secondary, and high schools, and on select college campuses. Schools provide fertile 

grounds for recruitment and many public schools are rife with gang activity such as assaults, robberies, threats and intimidation, drug distribution, and weapons offenses. Gang 

presence on college campuses is a growing concern as more gang members are gravitating toward colleges to escape gang life, join college athletic programs, or to acquire 

advanced skill sets for their gang.

•	 All-female gangs are on the rise in many jurisdictions, as well as, female participation and 

full-fledged memberships within male-dominant gangs are steadily escalating. Female 

gang members typically support male gang members, serving as mules for drugs, couriers for weapons, and gathering intelligence for the gang, although, many are taking more 

active roles by serving as soldiers or co-conspirators. Female gang members in some 

jurisdictions are forming their own gang sets and commit violent crimes comparable to 

their male counterparts. 
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2013 National Gang Report

Scope and Methodology

The 2013 NGR is NGIC’s fourth installment and was derived primarily from the 2013 NGS 

conducted by NAGIA. The survey was disseminated to US gang investigators at every level 

across jurisdictions nationwide. Its objective was to collect, analyze, and synthesize gang intelligence relative to the jurisdictions of the gang investigators surveyed. Seventy-nine percent 

of survey respondents represented local (city, townships) or county-level law enforcement 

agencies. 

The survey was voluntary. Six hundred thirty 

one agencies responded, which is approximately 25 percent fewer responses than to the 

2010 gang survey conducted by the National 

Drug Intelligence Center. Some respondents 

were reluctant to estimate gang membership 

numbers in their jurisdictions and provided only 

validated gang membership numbers.

i

 Additionally, several large US cities, including 

Dallas, Denver, New York, Pittsburgh, and San 

Francisco did not complete the survey. Accordingly, the NGIC is less confident in the estimated number of gang members in the United 

States. However, survey responses on gang type percentages appear consistent with previous reporting and our institutional knowledge, and as such, the NGIC is expressing quantifying numbers as percentages rather than as concrete figures for gang membership. Queries 

regarding gang membership numbers should be directed to local law enforcement agencies of 

the particular region sought. Nonetheless, gang membership estimates appear consistent with 

2011 estimates.

The CBP also provided supplemental information from Border Protection Sector responses to 

the Gangs and the US Border survey, which was conducted to collect known and suspected 

gang cross-border criminal activities.

i Many local and state law enforcement agencies typically validate suspected gang members based on such 

criteria as self-identification, tattoos, clothing, and signs consistent with known gang indicia, corroborated source 

reporting, or validation by another law enforcement agency.

Definitions

Gangs – (US Department of Justice’s definition) (1) an association of three or more individuals; (2) whose members collectively identify themselves by adopting a group identity which 

they use to create an atmosphere of fear or intimidation frequently by employing one or more 

of the following: a common name, slogan, identifying sign, symbol, tattoo or other physical 

marking, style or color of clothing, hairstyle, hand sign or graffiti; (3) the association’s purpose, 

in part, is to engage in criminal activity and the association uses violence or intimidation to 

further its criminal objectives; (4) its members engage in criminal activity, or acts of juvenile 

delinquency that if committed by an adult would be crimes; (5) with the intent to enhance or 

preserve the association’s power, reputation, or economic resources; (6) the association may 

also possess some of the following characteristics: (a) the members employ rules for joining and operating within the association; (b) the members meet on a recurring basis; (c) the 

association provides physical protection of its members from other criminals and gangs; (d) 

the association seeks to exercise control over a particular location or region, or it may simply 

defend its perceived interests against rivals; or (e) the association has an identifiable structure. (7) This definition is not intended to include traditional organized crime groups such as 

La Cosa Nostra, groups that fall within the Department’s definition of “international organized 

crime,” drug trafficking organizations or terrorist organizations.

Street Gangs - (neighborhood-based and national street gangs) gangs located throughout 

the United States, and their memberships vary in number, racial and ethnic composition, and 

structure. Large national street gangs pose the greatest threat because they smuggle, produce, transport, and distribute large quantities of illicit drugs throughout the country and are 

extremely violent. Local street gangs in rural, suburban, and urban areas pose a steadily increasing threat transporting and distributing drugs within specific areas. The local street gangs 

often imitate the larger, more powerful national gangs in order to gain respect from their rivals.

Prison Gangs - criminal organizations that originated within the penal system that have continued to operate within correctional facilities throughout the United States. Prison gangs are 

also self-perpetuating criminal entities that can continue their operations outside the confines 

of the penal system. Typically, a prison gang consists of a select group of inmates who have 

an organized hierarchy and who are governed by an established code of conduct. Prison 

gangs vary in both organization and composition, from highly structured gangs such as the 

Aryan Brotherhood (AB) and Nuestra Familia (NF) to gangs with a less formalized structure 

such as the Mexican Mafia (Eme). Prison gangs generally have fewer members than street 

gangs and OMGs and are structured along racial or ethnic lines. Nationally, prison gangs pose 

a threat because of their role in the transportation and distribution of drugs. Prison gangs are 

also an important link between DTOs, street gangs and OMGs, often brokering the transfer of 

drugs from DTOs to gangs in many regions. Prison gangs typically are more powerful within 

state correctional facilities rather than within the federal penal system.
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2013 National Gang Report

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Definitions

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) - OMGs are organizations whose members use their 

motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises. OMGs are highly structured criminal 

organizations whose members engage in criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons 

trafficking, and drug trafficking. There are more than 300 active OMGs within the United 

States, ranging in size from single chapters with five or six members to hundreds of chapters 

with thousands of members worldwide.

Street Gangs

Street Gang-Related Trends and Crime 

Survey respondents indicate gang membership and gang-related crime in the United 

States continue to increase steadily. Street 

gangs, including NBGs and national-level 

gangs, dominate overall membership numbers, 

comprising approximately 88 percent of US 

gang members.

Of those surveyed, 53 percent of respondents indicated gang membership in their 

jurisdiction has increased over the past two 

years. Approximately 58 percent of respondents indicated gang criminal activity has 

increased either slightly or significantly in 

their jurisdictions over the past two years.

NBGs, with no known leadership beyond their 

communities, are considered the most problematic type of gang, followed by national-level 

gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, Gangster 

Disciples, Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN)ii, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), and 

Sureños.iii NBGs are considered a significant 

threat in most jurisdictions, based on survey 

responses, due to their propensity to use 

violence to protect their turf from larger or rival 

street gangs. 

•	 According to March 2013 US DOJ reporting, members and associates of the Bailey Boys 

and LRGPiv gangs, NBGs in Buffalo, New York, were charged with three murders; six 

shootings, including four drive-by shootings, and a robbery that involved a shooting with 

children present.1

ii For this report, ALKQN encompasses both the Chicago Mother Line and the New York Blood Line.

iii Sureños is an umbrella name for southern California Hispanic street gangs aligned with the Eme. 

iv The LRGP gang is named after Lombard, Rother, Gibson, and Playter Streets in Buffalo, New York.

Figure 1: Photo of Graffiti
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Street Gangs 2013 National Gang Report

•	 January 2013 open source reporting 

indicates that the murder rate in Chicago, 

Illinois, surpassed the number of American forces who died in Afghanistan for the 

corresponding timeframe. The elevated 

murder rate in Chicago is reportedly attributed to fractionalized gangs battling for turf 

control and employing retaliatory violence, 

according to September 2013 open source 

reporting.2, 3

National-level gangs (gangs that exist in multiple jurisdictions) continue to expand across the 

nation into communities with little or no resistance from other gangs. They continue to recruit 

members and absorb NBGs where possible.

Figure 2: Most Common Gang Crimes

Approximately 28 percent of survey respondents indicate that national-level gangs 

have integrated NBGs within their jurisdiction. The Bloods street gang was identified 

as the most prolific organization, recruiting 25 percent of the total number of NBGs 

absorbed by national gangs. 

Gang crime severity appears to still be more oriented toward violent crimes more so 

than white collar-type crimes, based on survey respondents. Drug trafficking, threats 

and intimidation, assaults, and robberies were identified as most prevalent and severe 

crimes committed by gangs. More than 96 percent of respondents identified gangs 

within their jurisdiction involvement in drug trafficking as moderate or severe.
Note: See addendum on p.78 for approximate percentages.

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2013 National Gang Report

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Street Gangs

Prison Gangs

Prison gangs pose a significant threat to the United States and a unique challenge to law 

enforcement. Although they are rarely visible to the outside world, their influence is evident 

in jurisdictions and communities nationwide. 

Due to their seclusion from the public and their 

minimal visibility, prison gangs are difficult to 

target and are thus frequently overlooked as 

threat actors, which enables them to commit 

various crimes without detection while covertly 

impacting every level of law enforcement.

Prison gangs partake in a host of criminal 

activities within correctional facilities and 

on the streets. Illicit activity varies from one 

prison gang to another, and not every prison 

gang commits every type of crime. However, a 

prison gang will typically engage in any crime 

to further its objectives. 

Of those surveyed, 25 percent of respondents rank prison gangs as their overall 

greatest criminal threat, while 17 percent 

cite prison gangs as the most violent and 

problematic type of gang in their jurisdictions. Survey reporting further demonstrates that prison gang crimes range from 

white-collar offenses to acts of extreme 

violence. (See Text Box 1 for survey responses of

identified activities committed by prison gangs in their

areas of responsibilities.)

Prison gangs – by proxy of street gangs – 

contribute significantly to crimes committed 

on the streets and in prison. On the streets, 

prison gangs employ street gangs to control 

neighborhoods on their behalf; in this capacity, 

street gangs run such illicit activities as drug 

sales and distribution, taxation of other criminal activities, and taxation of legitimate businesses that operate within their territory. 

Figure 3: Nuestra Familia/Norteño Tattoo

Text Box 1: Prison Gang Activities Identified 

by Survey Respondents

Prison Gangs Activities

Drug Trafficking

Murder

Witness Intimidation

Assaults

Recruitment

Shootings

Prostitution

Extortion

Tax Fraud

Burglaries

Discipline of Other Gang Members

Gambling

Taxation of Criminal Proceeds 

Directing Violent Crime
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Prison Gangs 2013 National Gang Report

Street gang members – at the behest of prison 

gangs – also commit various crimes while 

incarcerated. Prison gangs charge incarcerated 

street gangs members with smuggling contraband into the prison system and directing illegal 

activity on prison yards. Both on the streets and 

in prison, street gangs also search for crimes to 

posture themselves favorably with their incarcerated leaders. Since they operate largely 

under the command of prison gangs, street 

gangs - both on the street and in prison – typically forward a percentage of their illicit proceeds to their incarcerated leaders. Thus, it is 

ultimately through their street subordinates that 

prison gangs impact crime rates in communities 

and prison yards across the nation. The survey 

reporting below illustrates the control prison 

gangs exert over street gangs.

Over 56 percent of survey respondents 

indicate that prison gangs control gang 

activities outside of prison within their 

jurisdictions through means of visitation, 

notes and coded communication, defense 

attorneys, corrupt prison staff, court sessions, contraband, cell phones and institution phones, social media, and direction 

provided to released inmates by prison 

gang leaders. 

•	 The Eme influences local street gangs by 

establishing a code of conduct and requiring street gangs to pay taxes on illegal 

activities such as drug sales. The Eme orders its subordinates, Sureños, to partake 

in tax collection, assaults, and murders. 

Any street subordinate that violates Eme 

rules faces persecution while incarcerated. 

•	 NF controls and directs drug sales, money laundering and robberies in the community. 

“Shot callers”v from the NF’s subordinate organization, Norteños, also directs illegal activity from behind prison walls.

Criminal activity within prisons is facilitated through clandestine communication that enables 

prison gangs to conduct illicit business, control street level activity, and perpetuate the influx 

v A shot caller is a gang member within a leadership position who orders other members to perform various 

acts, including criminal acts.

Text Box 2: List of Most Significant Prison 

Gangs Operating in Survey Respondents’ 

Jurisdictions.

of contraband that promulgates the use of 

violence and corruption. One commonly used 

communication method is for prison gang leaders to pass messages or agendas to gang 

members about to be released from prison so 

they can enforce these orders on the streets. 

The spread of crime from one region to another is facilitated at times by the migration of 

street gang members at the behest of prison 

gangs; for example, family and friends often 

follow prison gang members who are transferred to new facilities. By means of recruitment – inside and outside of prison – incarcerated gang members and their migrating 

counterparts are able to expand their influence 

to new facilities and to communities adjacent 

to those facilities. 

According to survey respondents, 63 percent indicated gangs have migrated into 

their jurisdictions over the past two years.

Prison gangs and street gangs function in an 

interdependent capacity whereby the former 

puppeteers the latter. As part of their parent/subordinate arrangement, incarcerated gang 

members with lengthy sentences rely heavily on income provided by their street partners; 

inversely members with lighter sentences revert to a street role upon release and essentially 

“pay it forward” by financially supporting their incarcerated counterparts. Street gangs benefit 

from their servile relationship with prison gangs primarily by securing protection in prison, as 

prison gangs protect their incarcerated street gang benefactors. Also, street gangs use their 

association with prison gangs to venture into different profitable endeavors. For example, 

street gang members will often use the name and reputation of one of their incarcerated leaders to forge new relationships, extend their criminal networks, and expand their street and 

prison operations. In many ways, street gangs are largely the product of prison gang influence. Accordingly, prison gangs lie at the helm of the considerable threat street gangs pose to 

the nation. 

•	 Approximately 157 Eme members – 99 percent of which are incarcerated and secured 

in Security Housing Units – puppeteer more than 100,000 Sureño gang members on the 

streets and in prison yards across the country. Sureños financially sustain the Eme by 

serving as foot soldiers, and in exchange for their servitude, Sureños receive protection in 

prison and use their Eme connection to gain credibility on the streets.

Figure 4: Cell phones confiscated from 

incarcerated prisoners.

Prison-Based Gangs

2-5

211 Crew

Arizona Aryan Brotherhood

Aryan Brotherhood (AB)

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT)

Aryan Circle (AC)

Barrio Azteca (BA)

Black Guerilla Family (BGF)

Border Brothers

Dead Man Incorporated (DMI)

Dirty White Boys (DWB)

G-25

G-27

Good Fellas

Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos (HPL)

415 KUMI

Mexican Mafia (Eme)

Mexikanemi (Emi)

Murder Inc.

Nazi Low Riders (NLR)

Ñetas

Northern Ryders

Northern Structure (NS/Nuestra Raza)

Ohio Aryan Brotherhood (OAB)

Partido Revolucionario Mexicanos (PRM)

Peckerwoods

Prison Brotherhood of Bikers

Public Enemy Number One (PENI)

Soldiers of Aryan Culture (SAC)

Tango Blast

Texas Chicano Brotherhood (TCB)

Texas Syndicate (TS)

Universal Aryan Brotherhood (UA)

Warrior Society (WS)
16 17

Prison Gangs 2013 National Gang Report

Once released, many prison gang members 

return to the street gangs from which they hail. 

These gang members continue to participate 

in gang-related crimes while assuming more 

active leadership roles. 

More than 51 percent of survey respondents report a high recidivism rate within 

their jurisdictions, and for the past two 

years, 37 percent of survey respondents 

estimate the recidivism rate has increased 

in their jurisdiction. 

Characteristics of Prison Gangs

Prison gangs, like street gangs, typically unite under the banner of a single name and identify 

with common signs, symbols, and tattoos. The names of most prison gangs are synonymous 

with their symbols and are thereby readily identifiable to their membership, enemies, and law 

enforcement.4 Like their street counterparts, prison gangs generally possess the following characteristics: “members employ rules for joining and operating within the association; members 

meet on a recurring basis; the association provides physical protection of its members from 

other criminals and gangs; the association seeks to exercise control over a particular region or 

it may simply defend its perceived interests against rivals; the association has an identifiable 

structure.” 5

Prison gangs’ objectives are simply to generate as much money, secure as much power, and 

control as much territory as possible. Territorial control extends to prison yards and street communities and to the gang members who occupy those areas.

While traditional or lead prison gangs pose the greatest national threat, independent prison 

gangs (IPGs) are also a menace, most often at the regional level. 

While many IPGs operate exclusively in specific facilities, some have expanded and are represented in both state and federal facilities. Dead Man Incorporated (DMI), for example, originated 

in the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (MDPSCS), and advanced into the federal system.

Figure 5: Eme Tattoo Figure 6: Shanks confiscated from incarcerated prisoners
18 19

2013 National Gang Report

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Historically, when compared to street or prison gangs, OMGs were perceived an overall lower 

threat to public safety within US communities, primarily due to lower OMG membership numbers. OMGs represent approximately 2.5 percent of gang members in the United States based 

on survey reporting. In regions of the United States where OMGs are attempting to expand 

into rival territory, the threat posed by OMGs increases. Law enforcement officials in the US 

Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest regions indicate that OMGs present a significant 

threat.

However, when asked to identify the top ten worst or most problematic gangs in their respective jurisdictions, survey respondents identified OMGs first over street and prison gangs higher 

than their membership numbers would indicate.

Figure 7: Survey Responses Identifying OMGs as a Significant Threat

Despite survey reporting indicating that OMGs comprise an estimated 2.5 percent of 

all gang members, 14 percent of survey respondents identify OMGs first amongst their 

most problematic gangs within their respective jurisdiction.6, 7

These indications are reasonably consistent with respondents’ indications that OMGs are a 

significant threat in their jurisdiction.

Approximately 11 percent of survey respondents indicate that OMGs are the most 

violent gang type in their jurisdiction.8 Additionally, more than 10 percent of survey 

respondents consider OMGs as a significant threat within their jurisdiction.9

The slight percentage increase indicates that OMGs are more problematic than their modest 

numbers suggest. This is likely due to their solid organizational structure, criminal sophistication, and their tendency to employ violence to protect their interests.

•	 In June 2012, 20 Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) members and associates were 

indicted as a result of a cooperative federal, state, and local task force investigation into 

the Hells Angels Rock Hill, South Carolina chapter. Additionally, 19 of these OMG members and associates were convicted of 

drug dealing; money laundering; firearms 

trafficking; use of firearms in relation to 

crimes of violence and drug dealing; attempted armed robbery; arson; and other 

offenses. More than 100 weapons were 

seized, which included machine guns, silencers, assault-style rifles, semiautomatic 

pistols, and revolvers.10, 11

Figure 8: Trial photo of weapons and drugs 

seized.
20 21

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs 2013 National Gang Report

In December 2012, seven members of the Wheels of Soul (WOS) MC were convicted in federal court of racketeering conspiracy and related charges, including murder, attempted murder, 

and conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with evidence. Additionally, in April 2013, the 

final indicted members of the WOS were sentenced for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy, according to open source reporting.12

Within the subset of street gangs, locallybased gangs are identified as a greater threat 

than national-level gangs. In contrast, within 

the subset of OMGs, national-level gangs are 

identified as the most significant threat.

Survey reporting cited the HAMC, Pagans, 

Bandidos, Outlaws, and Iron Horsemen as 

the most significant OMG threat.13

Gangs, Drug Trafficking Organizations, and 

Organized Crime Syndicates

Gangs and Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations

Street and prison gangs, as well as OMGs and associates, develop and foster relationships 

with transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in Mexico and Central America. Although the 

nature of each relationship varies by region, most are opportunistic arrangements. Gangs and 

TCO alliances are most often a product of geographic convenience, profit-making opportunity, 

and business efficiency.

Of those surveyed, 23 percent of law enforcement officials report that gangs in their 

jurisdictions align with MTCOs. Among 81 percent of such alliances, a symbiotic relationship exists. MTCOs control gangs in 15 percent of these alliances.

Intelligence indicates that street gangs in the United States most commonly collaborate 

with Los Zetas and the Sinaloa Cartel.14

Gangs cooperate with MTCOs primarily in drug smuggling activities, as drugs provide the primary source of revenue for US-based gangs while MTCOs control most of the cocaine, heroin, 

methamphetamine, and marijuana trafficked from Mexico into the United States. Accordingly, 

most US-based gangs are involved in the street-level distribution of drugs, as well as in the 

wholesale, transportation and, in some cases, manufacturing of drugs. While largely based in 

Mexico, MTCOs rely on US-based gangs to distribute drugs to US communities, which allows 

MTCOs to amass enormous profits without putting their operations at risk. 

•	 MTCOs partner with more than 100,000 

documented street gang members in Chicago to advance their criminal activities.15 

According to March 2013 open source 

reporting, the increased violence in Chicago is attributable to MTCOs competing 

for control over Chicago’s drug market by 

supplying rival gangs, which are subsequently competing over street level drug 

sales and territory. Battles for control over 

marijuana, cocaine, and heroin distribution 

amongst Los Zetas and Sinaloa Cartels 

and their violent street gang counterparts 

have escalated in recent years.16

Figure 9: Photo of OMG Back Patches
22 23

Gangs, Drug Trafficking Organizations, and Organized Crime Syndicates 2013 National Gang Report

•	 According to 2013 law enforcement reports, the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington 

– due to its close proximity to Canada – experiences a constant flow of drug trafficking 

throughout the reservation. TCOs transport cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine 

north and south through the region with the assistance of Hispanic gangs and OMGs 

such as the Bandidos.17

 Major Mexican TCOs and their Links with US-based Gangs

Mexican TCOs US-Based Gangs

Los Zetas ABT

ALKQN

Bandidos MC

Bloods

Crips

Eme

Emi

HPL

La Raza XIV

Latin Kings

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)

Norteños

Sureños

TS

Gulf Cartel ALKQN

Bloods

Chicano Brothers

Crips

Emi

HPL

MS-13 

PRM

Raza Unida

TCB

TS 

Sinaloa Cartel ALKQN

Brown Pride

Border Brothers

East Side Bloods

East Side Locos

East Side Torrance

Eme 

Hollywood

Maryvale Gangster Crips

Midvale Park Blood Gang

MS-13

Sureños

Tango Blast

United Blood Nation (UBN)

Varrio Locos 13

Vista Home Boys

La Familia Michoacán ALKQN

Crips

Eme

Los Cholos

Murder Inc

MS-13

North Side Bros

Sureños

Tango Blast

Arellano-Felix Cartel ALKQN

Border Brothers

Corona Varrio Locos

Eme 

Florencia 13

Logan Heights Gang

Snakeheads

Sureños

Juarez Cartel (VCF Organization) ALKQN

BA

HPL 

The above table provides a snapshot view – not an exhaustive representation - of partnerships currently in place between US-based gangs and MTCOs. Partnerships listed herein represent intelligence 

obtained from NGIC sources and data retrieved from survey responses.
24 25

Gangs, Drug Trafficking Organizations, and Organized Crime Syndicates 2013 National Gang Report

Gang Migration

Survey results and NGIC analysis indicate that street gangs migrate largely to attain dominance in the drug trade and in search of legitimate employment to supplement their illicit 

revenue. When street gangs migrate, they often wander into territories already claimed by 

indigenous gangs, which creates “turf wars” or conflict that ultimately increases violence in 

that area. 

According to law enforcement reports from multiple jurisdictions, migratory street gangs with 

national connections partake in recruiting, organizing, and assuming control of local street 

gangs. By absorbing local gangs, national gangs increase their membership numbers and 

eliminate competition in illicit operations such as drug trafficking. 

Gangs and Collaboration 

Intelligence set forth by law enforcement denotes an increase in collaboration between rival 

gangs for the purposes of mutual profit. 

Accordingly, 49 percent of survey respondents indicate the formation of alliances between rival gangs in their jurisdictions; 77 percent claim that the purpose for these new 

alliances is mutual profit. 

Gangs and Organized Crime Syndicates

Some OMGs and street gangs collaborate with African, Asian, Caribbean, Eurasian, Italian, 

and Russian crime syndicates. As with their partnerships with MTCOs, US-based gangs team 

with organized crime groups in the commission of such street crimes as extortion, enforcement, debt collection, and money laundering. 

•	 In November 2012, three individuals with ties to the Demon Knights MC, a Hells Angels 

support clubvi, the Westies street gang, and the Gambino Organized Crime Family were 

indicted on extortion charges for threatening a man in Queens, New York, after he failed 

to repay a $50,000 loan.18

Based on survey responses, partnerships between gangs and organized crime syndicates occur across multiple jurisdictions: 67 jurisdictions claim gangs align with Caribbean, Dominican, 

Haitian, and Jamaican organized crime groups; 44 jurisdictions claim gangs align with Asian 

organized crime groups; and 22 jurisdictions claim gangs align with Russian organized crime 

groups. 

vi Puppet or support clubs are motorcycle clubs that have formed an alliance with a larger more prominent 

OMG such as the Hells Angels or Bandidos MCs. The puppet club will take orders from the larger OMG on anything from criminal activities to providing security for various motorcycle club events.
27

2013 National Gang Report

26

Gangs and Financial Crimes

Gangs continue to diversify their criminal activities. Survey results reveal gang involvement 

in financial crimes to include: credit card fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, tax fraud, 

counterfeiting, fencing stolen goods, identity theft, and money laundering. Law enforcement 

officials in multiple jurisdictions nationwide report that gangs direct recruitment efforts toward 

members who possess skills and knowledge necessary to carry out financial crimes. 

Survey respondents report gang involvement in credit card fraud (124 jurisdictions), 

mortgage fraud (48 jurisdictions), counterfeiting (163 jurisdictions), fencing (240 jurisdictions), identity theft (187 jurisdictions), and money laundering (184 jurisdictions). 

Survey respondents in 35 jurisdictions and 18 states, including Arizona, California, 

Florida, Michigan, New York, Texas, and Virginia report that gangs commit counterfeiting, bank fraud, check fraud, identity theft, fencing, and money laundering to generate 

a low-risk source of income.

•	 According to survey reporting, gangs in Tacoma, Washington, finance their criminal operations through organized retail theft, credit card fraud, check fraud, identity theft, and 

forgery. 

•	 According to 2012 open source reporting, more than 600 fraudulent tax returns worth 

approximately $2.5 million were filed for Blood gang members and other individuals in 

Columbia, South Carolina, in 2011.19, 20

•	 In December 2012, members of the Baby Insane Crips stole social security numbers 

and other personal identifying information, falsified tax returns, and funneled the refunds 

through family members. The money was used to purchase guns, cars, and electronics.21 

Similarly, gang members in Miami, Florida, attached fraudulent income tax returns on to 

gift cards to spend the cash quickly.22

Lucrative and difficult to detect, financial crimes pair a high-profit reward with a low-risk benefit 

that appeals to gangs. Therefore, financial crime opportunities often encourage the collaboration of gangs and other criminal enterprises for mutual profit.

Counterfeiting provides an attractive low-risk income source for many gangs on the street and 

in prison. Gangs can generate large profits by producing or selling counterfeit goods like currency, designer clothing, purses, music, movies, cigarettes, and medication. Such counterfeit 

activities can earn gang members as much money as drug trafficking without the violence and 

danger associated with drug trafficking. Gang members involved in counterfeiting also face 

minimal risk of detection or prosecution, since many law enforcement agencies consider counterfeiting cases to be a low priority. 

•	 Multiple law enforcement agencies claim 

that members of at least 24 gangs including the Bloods, Crips, Florencia 13, Latin 

Kings, MS-13, 18th Street, Sureños, Vice 

Lords, and OMGs in nine states have 

distributed or sold counterfeit goods like 

designer clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, 

cosmetics, DVDs, electronics, medicine, 

cigarettes, credit cards, and checks.23

Gangs use legitimate businesses as “front companies” to hide illicit proceeds generated from 

criminal activities such as drug trafficking and 

prostitution. Common businesses used include 

beauty salons, auto repair shops, medical offices, and music shops. NGIC intelligence suggests that in these ventures, some gangs use 

reloadable prepaid debit cards to secure cash 

advances or to wire illicit proceeds, particularly 

inside prison.

Financial crime is also profitable for gangs inside correctional facilities. Prison gangs commit 

financial crimes such as counterfeiting, credit card fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering. 

Limited knowledge about prison gangs’ involvement in financial crimes and the protected status of legal mail often hinders correctional authorities from detecting, deterring, or disrupting 

the activity.

NGIC analysis suggests gangs are engaging in more sophisticated criminal operations. For 

example, the Felony Lane Gang (FLG), which is an organized burglary and identity theft ring, 

is active in at least 23 states. The FLG travels to commit smash-and-grab type burglaries of 

motor vehicles to steal driver licenses, social security cards, credit cards, and checkbooks 

from unattended cars and then uses the stolen property to make fraudulent banking transactions.

•	 Police in Naperville, Illinois, suspect the FLG is responsible for more than 60 smash-andgrab burglaries since August 2010. The gang primarily targets women who leave purses 

in their vehicles at locations such as fitness centers, parks, and daycare centers.24

Types of Counterfeit/ Pirated Goods

Produced or Sold by Gangs

Cell phones, Smartphones

Cigarettes

Credit Cards

Checks/Traveler’s checks

Coupons

Currency

Designer clothing, shoes, purses

Designer sunglasses

Dog food

Identification

Makeup, perfume

Music CDs, Movie DVDs

Prescription medication

Tickets

Toys

Vehicle Parts

Source: FBI and multiple law enforcement 

reporting
28 29

2013 National Gang Report

Gangs and Technology

NGIC findings suggest gangs embrace new and advanced technology in order to communicate discreetly, locate and establish targets, intimidate rivals, facilitate criminal activity, enhance criminal operations, and to monitor law enforcement. This is accomplished by gangs 

exploiting popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

Approximately 54 percent of survey respondents report gangs in their jurisdiction use 

the Internet to recruit, intimidate, or cyber bully; and commit such cyber crimes as 

identity theft, computer hacking, and phishing. Recruitment and intimidation ranked as 

the most common online gang activities, representing 58 percent and 44 percent of all 

criminal activities, respectively. 

Gang members routinely utilize social 

networking sites to enhance their criminal operations by showcasing illegal 

exploits; monitoring law enforcement 

and rivals; and exposing informants. 

The Internet is also a tool gangs use 

to facilitate criminal activity such as 

drug trafficking, extortion, identity theft, 

money laundering, and prostitution. 

Social media provides gangs with a platform to recruit new members, intimidate 

rivals, and promulgate their gang life to 

a larger audience. 

•	 Survey results indicate gangs in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, use social networking 

sites to post videos of initiations and assaults, as well as photos of their drugs, guns, associates, and conspirators.

NGIC analysis shows gang members and drug traffickers exploit such technologies as VoIP, 

PlayStation and Xbox, Global Positioning System (GPS) units, and devices that disguise 

telephone numbers; all of which allow gang members to communicate discreetly and conduct 

crimes with little possibility of law enforcement interference.

Gang members also employ technology to monitor, target, and conduct counter-surveillance 

of law enforcement. Utilizing such tools as the Internet, smartphones, and GPS devices, gang 

members can identify, locate, and disrupt law enforcement operations.

Gang Members’ Employment in Government 

Institutions

Military

Gang employment in law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, judiciary or courts, and 

the US military threatens national security and thwarts law enforcement efforts to combat gang 

crimes. 

Survey reporting indicates law enforcement officials in 59 jurisdictions claimed that 

known or suspected gang members have applied for positions or gained employment 

within the ranks of the military, law enforcement, corrections, and judiciary/courts. Of 

those incidents, the US military was identified most with 43 percent; followed by corrections at 35 percent; law enforcement 15 percent; and judiciary/courts at 7 percent. 

NGIC intelligence and multiple law enforcement reports indicate nearly every major street 

gang, some prison gangs, and various OMGs have representation on domestic and international US military installations. Gangs identified with military-trained members include: the 

Bloods, Crips, Folk Nation, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, MS-13, Sureños, AB, Bandidos, 

HAMC, Outlaws, Pagans, and Vagos MCs. By means of transfers and deployment, militaryaffiliated gang members extend their operations and thereby potentially undermine security at 

military installations; some OMG support clubs, for example, utilize active duty personnel to 

expand OMG presence to other regions. 

•	 As of June 2013, the NGIC identified at least 60 gangs whose members or associates 

have been either enlisted or have attempted to gain employment in the military or various government agencies. Of these gangs, 54 had members who served in the military or 

who were otherwise affiliated with the military. 

•	 2013 survey results show 16 law enforcement agencies reported that, in areas within or 

adjacent to their jurisdictions, a gang presence exists on military installations. 

•	 Law enforcement officials in 38 jurisdictions report that the Black P Stones, Bloods, Crips, 

Gangster Disciples, DMI, Latin Kings, Sureños, and OMG groups such as the Bandidos, 

HAMC, Pagans, Untamed Rebels, Vagos, Warlocks, and Wolf Pack MCs are encouraging members without criminal records to enlist in the military to obtain weapons expertise, 

combat training, or access to sensitive information. 

Gang members in the military engage in a host of criminal activities both on and off military 

installations. Gang members in the military, like their civilian counterparts, commit crimes, to 

include: drug trafficking, assaults, threats, intimidation, weapons trafficking, robberies, thefts, 

burglaries, fencing stolen goods, vandalism, and homicides. 

Voxer Application

Voxer is a social networking application that 

works like a walkie-talkie through a push-to-talk 

function, allowing users to listen to messages in 

real time or later. Available on the iOS and Android platforms to download and use for free on 

3G or wireless networks, it additionally supports 

group chat, and lets users send text, photos, 

and broadcast their location.Source: Voxer Application Digital Business Consultancy; available at http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com 
30 31

Gang Members’ Employment in Government Institutions 2013 National Gang Report

•	 According to February 2013 open source reporting, a Fort Carson soldier who was also a 

Sin City Disciples MC member, was convicted in the shooting death of a man outside of 

the Sin City Disciples’ clubhouse in Colorado Springs.25

The Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIO) - the Army Criminal Investigation 

Command (CID), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), and Naval Criminal 

Investigative Service (NCIS) - have identified military personnel with gang membership or 

affiliation in every branch of the US Armed Forces; however, their presence does not appear 

to be widespread or organized. The CID, AFOSI, and NCIS report that less than 1 percent of 

felony investigations conducted in fiscal year 2011 involved gang members and their associates. Despite the low rate of gang-related activity observed by the MCIOs on DOD installations, the threat of gang members joining the military to gain combat-related skills to enable 

their criminal conduct is too serious to discount. Countering this potential threat requires consistent training, surveillance, and information sharing. The MCIOs encourage federal, state, 

and local law enforcement agencies to report information concerning military personnel in 

their communities who have suspected gang affiliations. DOD Instruction 1325.06 designates 

extremist group or gang participation as prohibited activities for US Armed Forces personnel 

and provides commanders the authority to take administrative and disciplinary actions for that 

participation. In short, commanders are not required to wait until a crime occurs; they can take 

action based solely on evidence of active participation in a gang.

Gang information can be reported to the MCIOs through the these methods. 

Law Enforcement, Corrections, Judiciary, and Courts

Street gangs, prison gangs, and OMGs all have members and associates who have either 

gained or attempted to gain employment with law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and judiciary/courts across the country. Gang members and associates, who successfully 

gained employment in one of the aforementioned branches, typically seek to acquire training, 

and access to weapons and sensitive information in order to impede gang investigations. The 

most common form of access occurs through non-sworn civilian positions in law enforcement. 

Correctional facilities are particularly vulnerable to infiltration, as corrections officers are highly 

susceptible targets for prison gang members who solicit assistance in the commission of 

crimes.

•	 According to April 2013 open source reporting, 13 female correctional officers in Maryland 

were indicted on federal racketeering charges for aiding in the criminal operations of the 

BGF prison gang members who were incarcerated in a Baltimore County jail. At least one 

officer reportedly assisted gang leaders by smuggling cell phones, alcohol, prescription 

pills, and other contraband into the facility. Two other officers were tattooed with the name 

of a BGF leader and four others were impregnated by one gang member.26

•	 In August 2012, open source reporting indicated a federal court employee in Los Angeles County, California, was charged for providing defendants, who were members of the 

Armenian Power gang, with confidential court files that contained sealed indictments.27

Table 1: Gangs with Members or Associates Who Have Been Employed with Military, Law 

Enforcement, Corrections, or Judiciary Agencies or Attempted Such Employment*

Gang Name Type of Gang Type of Agency

18th Street Gang Street Military

Aces and Eight MC OMG Law Enforcement

Armenian Power Street Judiciary

Aryan Brotherhood Street Corrections, Military

Asian Boyz Street Military

Asian Crips Street Military

Avenues Gang Street Law Enforcement, Military

Bandidos OMG Military

Barrio Azteca Street Military

Black Disciples Street Military

Black Guerilla Family Prison Military, Corrections

Bloods Street Corrections, Law Enforcement, Military

Brotherhood MC OMG Military

Crips Street Military

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1325.06, Handling Dissident and Protest Activities among Members of the Armed Forces, was updated February 22, 2012, in an effort to 

eliminate and discourage membership in gangs. It describes prohibited activities and now 

includes specific language about criminal gangs, which is in bold font below. It states military personnel must not actively advocate supremacist, extremist, or criminal gang doctrine, 

ideology. Military personnel must reject active participation in criminal gangs and in other 

organizations that advocate supremacist, extremist, or criminal gang doctrine, ideology, or 

causes. Active participation in such gangs or organizations is prohibited. Active participation 

includes, but is not limited to, fundraising; demonstrating or rallying; recruiting, training, organizing, or leading members; distributing material (including posting online); knowingly wearing gang colors or clothing; having tattoos or body markings associated with such gangs or 

organizations; or otherwise engaging in activities in furtherance of the objective of such gangs 

or organiza-tions that are detrimental to good order, discipline, or mission accomplishment or 

are incompat-ible with military service.US DOD; available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/

corres/ins1.html.

• AFOSI: Email - hqafosi.watch@ogn.af.mil 

• CID: Email - Army.CID.Crime.Tips@mail.mil 

• NCIS: 1-877-579-3648 or go to http://www.ncis.navy.mil/ContactUs/Pages/ReportaCrime.

aspx to access the NCIS Report Crime page, navigate to the text, web, or Smartphone app 

icons, and select a method for submitting a tip. 
32 33

Gang Members’ Employment in Government Institutions 2013 National Gang Report

Gang Name Type of Gang Type of Agency

Devil’s Disciples OMG Military

Diablos MC OMG Law Enforcement

East Side Longos Street Military

Florencia 13 Street Military

Fresno Bulldogs Street Military

Gangster Disciples Street Law Enforcement, Military

Georgia Boys (Folk Nation) Street Military

Haitian Mob Street Military

Hells Angels OMG Law Enforcement, Military

Iron Horsemen OMG Military

Korean Dragon Family Street Military

Latin Kings Street Law Enforcement, Military

Legion of Doom MC OMG Military

Life is War Street Military

Los Zetas Street Military

Maniac Latin Disciples Street Military

Mexican Mafia (Eme) Prison Corrections**

Mexican Posse 13 Street Military

Military Misfits OMG Military

Molochs MC OMG Military

Mongols OMG Military

MS-13 Street Military

Nazi Low Riders Street Corrections

Norteños Street Military

Northern Structure Prison Corrections**

Outlaws MC OMG Military

Pagans MC OMG Military

Peckerwoods Street Military

Paso Robles Street Corrections

Red Devils MC OMG Military

Simon City Royals Street Military

Sin City Disciples MC OMG Military

Gang Name Type of Gang Type of Agency

Sons of Hell MC OMG Military

Sons of Samoa Street Military

Southside Locos Street Military

Sureños Street Military

Tango Blast Street Military

Texas Syndicate Prison Military

Tiny Rascal Gangsters Street Military

United Blood Nation Street Military

Vagos OMG Corrections, Military

Vatos Locos Street Military

Vice Lords Street Law Enforcement, Military

Wah Ching Gang Street Military

Warlocks OMG Military

*This table represents employment or attempted employment by gang members within government 

institutions. The type of employment is not explored. As such, employment can range from janitorial to 

administrative/clerical to sworn officer status.

**Represents instances in which a suspected gang associate (or spouse) was employed by the agencies.
34 35

2013 National Gang Report

Gangs, Weapons, and Explosives

Weapons

Gang members are in possession of, and have easy access to, firearms of various make, 

model, type, and caliber. These firearms include handguns, rifles, both semi and fully automatic, shotguns, and in some instances, machine guns. Gang members use these weapons 

in violent encounters with rival gang members, law enforcement officers, and innocent victims. 

Law enforcement officials in multiple jurisdictions report that gang members in their regions 

have also been in possession of law enforcement only and military weaponry such as assault 

rifles, grenades, and body armor. 

Of those surveyed 30 percent of law 

enforcement officials report the majority 

of gang-related crime in their jurisdiction 

is committed with firearms. Law enforcement officials in 65 jurisdictions nationwide report gang-related offenses committed with firearms account for at least 

95 percent of crime in their areas.

Approximately 40 percent (234) of law 

enforcement officials surveyed claim 

that gangs in their jurisdiction partake in 

weapons trafficking. Officials in at least 

69 jurisdictions - including those in 

Arizona, California, New Jersey, New 

York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South 

Carolina, and Virginia - indicated that 

gang involvement in weapons trafficking is severe.

According to ATF 2011 and 2012 firearms 

trace data, law enforcement officials submitted approximately 8,220 trace analysis requests from firearms recovered in 

the possession of known or suspected 

gang members. The majority of firearms 

recovered and submitted for analysis 

were handguns, followed by rifles, shotguns, and in a few instances, machine guns. Recovered weapons from gang members were linked to various criminal activities such as armed 

robberies, armed carjacking, assaults, attempted homicide, armed drug trafficking, felons in 

possession of firearms, interstate firearms trafficking, and homicide. During this same time 

period, trace data indicates that Bloods/UBN, Crips, Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, Sureños, 

and the Latin Kings were found more often in possession of the firearm.

Table 2: Number of Firearms Reportedly Recovered in the Possession of Gang Members by 

Weapon Type

Weapons Reported 

Recovered by Type

Calendar 

Year 2011

Calendar 

Year 2012

Total

Handguns (Pistols, Revolvers, and 

Derringers)

3,532 3,293 6,825

Rifles 435 415 850

Shotguns 286 242 528

Machine guns 2 6 8

Other (Combination Gun, Destructive Device, Other, Unknown Type)4 5 9

Total Gang-related Weapons Recovered 4,259 3,961 8,220

Source: Bureau of ATF, Violent Crime Analysis Branch

The Top Nine US Cities with Gang-Related

Firearm Recoveries for 2011 to 2012

•	 Atlanta, GA

•	 Chicago, IL

•	 Las Vegas, NV

•	 Los Angeles, CA

•	 Minneapolis, MN

•	 Omaha, NE

•	 Phoenix, AZ

•	 Richmond, CA

•	 Toledo, OH

Source: ATF Firearm Recovery & Submission Data. 

Note: Cities listed in alphabetical order, not ranked by 

volume, as cities regularly change ranking due to different reporting procedures by recovering agencies.

Gang-Related Firearms Recoveries for 2011 and 2012 by Weapon Type: 

Pistols: 4971, Revolvers: 1772, Rifles: 850, Shotguns: 528, Derringers: 82, Other: 9, Machine Guns: 8
36 37

Gangs, Weapons, and Explosives 2013 National Gang Report

By reports of NGIC and multiple law enforcement accounts, some gang members specifically 

target law enforcement officials and military personnel and facilities for high-powered assault 

rifles and submachine guns, ammunition, body armor, and explosives. Gang members armed 

with high-powered weapons and military gear continue to pose a serious threat to the communities and law enforcement, as they may be more likely to initiate or engage in potentially 

deadly confrontations with police, according to NGIC analysis.

Respondents in 61 jurisdictions reported gangs in their region acquire weapons by 

theft from law enforcement officers, and respondents in 32 jurisdictions reported that 

gangs in their region obtain weapons from military personnel or facilities.

Table 3: Number of Firearms Recovered by Gang – Top 10 Listed vii viii

Gang 2011 2012 Total

Bloods vii 577 543 1,120

Crips 456 415 871

Gangster Disciples 342 430 772

Vice Lords Nation 259 252 511

Sureños 218 205 423

Latin Kings 169 107 276

Norteños 93 115 208

Black P Stone Nation 90 113 203

Black Disciples 37 42 79

NGI viii 385 280 665

Total (minus NGIs) 2,241 2,222 4,463

Source: Bureau of ATF, Violent Crime Analysis Branch

Explosives

In accordance with multiple law enforcement reports, several gang members have been found 

in possession of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), destructive devices, or components 

of these devices.ix The threat of IEDs and other explosives posed by street gangs, however, 

remains minimal in the United States, but appears to be higher in Mexico, and in Central and 

South America, according to open source reporting.28

vii It should be noted, for simplicity of this report, all gangs identifying with the Bloods were compiled into one 

organization; thus, Bloods gangs will include original West Coast Bloods, Pirus, Swans, Bishops, Brims, and any 

street or prison gang that originated with the UBN organization or its off-shoots.

viii The acronym NGI refers to No Gang Information provided, or that the gang was unidentifiable by the recovering law enforcement agency during the trace process. 

ix For purposes of this report, destructive devices include, but are not limited to, pipe bombs, explosive components, grenades, inert grenades, and stolen military munitions. 

NGIC analysis indicates that these incidents could ultimately encourage US-based cliques, 

gangs, and criminal and extremist groups to acquire or manufacture IEDs.

Law enforcement officials in eight jurisdictions, including those in Arizona, Indiana, 

Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Washington report at least one 

incident in which gang members or associates were found in possession of destructive 

devices.

Figure 10: Examples of Destructive Devices

Law enforcement intelligence reveals gang members in some jurisdictions acquire and 

illegally manufacture explosive devices, as well as trade and barter explosives for 

goods and services. In several instances, gang members have been found in possession of military explosive hardware and ammunition, according to law enforcement 

reporting. 

•	 According to the DOJ, US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri, in July 2012, a 

member of the WOS MC was convicted on federal racketeering charges for conspiring to 

commit arson with another WOS member and for manufacturing several pipe bombs for 
39

2013 National Gang Report

38

use against rival motorcycle clubs.29

Gangs in Educational Facilities

Gangs maintain a significant presence in 

educational facilities at every level – elementary, middle school/junior high, high school, 

and college campuses – throughout the United 

States. Accordingly, underage gang members 

pose serious issues for educators, law enforcement, and youth-service professionals, as 

street gang members carry criminal behavior 

into the schools they attend. 

Gangs in Public Schools

Public schools – at the elementary, junior high and high school levels – provide fertile ground 

for gang recruitment

•	 According to a 2010 study conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention, 45 percent of high school students assert that gangs are present in their 

schools while 35 percent of middle-school students report gangs presence in their 

schools.30

Due to gang prevalence in educational facilities, many communities find criminal operations 

conducted by gangs occur either on school yards or immediately proximal to school grounds.31

Accordingly, law enforcement reports and academic studies suggest a strong correlation exists between gang presence and crime levels in schools.32 Drugs and weapons offenses are 

the most common crimes gangs commit on school properties. Some research suggests that 

the likelihood of violence more than doubles in educational facilities that have a gang presence.33

Approximately 80 percent of survey respondents indicate gangs are present in the 

public school systems within their jurisdictions, with 54 percent reporting that gangs in 

their school system pose a moderate or serious threat. 

While gangs most commonly recruit from junior high schools – grades seven and eight specifically – some gangs direct recruitment efforts toward elementary schools.

•	 According to survey reporting, law enforcement in 14 jurisdictions report that gangs are 

recruiting children in the third grade. Officials in Anderson, Indiana, and Chesterfield, 

Virginia, report that gangs are recruiting children in the second grade. Officials in Gulfport, 

Mississippi; Paterson, New Jersey; and 

Seattle, Washington, all report that gangs 

are recruiting first grade children.

•	 According to March 2013 open source reporting, some public grade schools in New 

York City are rampant with gangs, weapons, prostitution, and violence. Gangs are 

reportedly so prevalent at a junior high 

school in Queens, New York, that female 

students often feel compelled to engage 

in sex acts with gang members to gain 

acceptance or gang membership privileges. In one instance in New York, a firearm was 

confiscated from a second grade student at an elementary school.34

Gangs on College Campuses

Gang presence on college campuses increases both crime and academic failure rates and 

thereby presents a significant concern for educators, students, and law enforcement officials.35 

Open source and law enforcement reports indicate gang members gravitate toward colleges 

to escape gang life, to join athletic programs, or to acquire skill sets for their gang.36 Some investigators believe that gang members may disguise themselves as college students so they 

can run criminal operations on campus with minimal detection. Such gangs as the Bloods, 

Crips, Gangster Disciples, MS-13, 18th Street, Vice Lords, and the Skinheads have been 

reported on a number of college campuses and reportedly commit crimes to include: drug 

distribution, assaults, weapons offenses, and robberies.37 x

•	 A 2012 survey conducted by the Austin Peay State University in Tennessee found that 

suspected gang members were responsible for 10 percent of campus crime. Nearly twothirds of respondents reported that approximately 10 percent of students on campus were 

active gang members.38 The same study suggests that leaders of organized gangs recruit 

from colleges and send their members to institutions of higher education to learn skills 

conducive to the commission of complex crimes – like mortgage fraud, cyber crime, and 

identity theft – in furtherance of gang objectives.39

Criminal activity and violence on or near college campuses occur in conjunction with gang 

assimilation on campus, which creates a concern for public safety officials, educators, and 

administrative authorities. Accordingly, multiple law enforcement reports and open source 

accounts indicate that gangs are responsible for numerous assaults, shootings, robberies, 

carjackings, drug crimes, and weapons offenses on college campuses in California, Maine, 

Maryland, and Texas.

•	 Open source documents show that in June 2013, three suspected members of the Sotel 

13 gang in West Los Angeles were arrested in connection with the shooting death of rival 

gang members near Santa Monica College. One of the victims was reported to have atx Some of this reporting originated from students at the campus and was not verified by authorities.
41

2013 National Gang Report

40

Gangs in Educational Facilities

tended the college.40

•	 March 2013 open source reports further indicate that a gang-related shooting occurred 

near the campus of Kilgore College in Texas, which was the continuation of a fight that 

occurred on campus earlier that day.41

Gang members who join sports teams in school to escape gang life often retreat back to the 

gangster lifestyle once they reach college. 

•	 A 2011 DOJ study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University cited that nearly 

20 percent of the 87 police chiefs surveyed claimed to know an athlete who retained gang 

membership while in college. Researchers further found a strong link between gangs and 

sports due to the fact that universities do not typically conduct background checks on the 

athletic recruits; the tie between gangs and sports could also exist because gangs often 

recruit college athletes as a result of their visibility and prestige.42

Female Roles in Gangs and Female Gangs

Female Roles in Gangs

Female gang members typically supported 

male gang members by serving as couriers or 

mules for drugs, weapons, and other contraband; gathering intelligence for the gang; providing alibis for gang members or serving as 

lookouts; providing transportation, lodging and 

sex for gang members; and facilitating communication between incarcerated gang members. 

Today, females play an integral role in gangs.

According to survey reporting, law enforcement officials in 111 jurisdictions nationwide (27 percent) report a presence of 

female gang members in their jurisdiction. 

Law enforcement in at least nine states, 

including Alabama, Arizona, California, 

Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, 

Virginia, and Washington report that female 

gang members in their jurisdiction either 

hold the same status as male members or have formed their own sets. 

Females are increasingly taking more active roles in gangs to include: serving as soldiers and 

co-conspirators, assisting with drug transactions, acting as decoys, initiating fights, providing stash houses for drugs and fugitive members, acquiring weapons and weapons permits, 

recruiting other females for membership and prostitution, working as prostitutes, and acting 

as leaders while their significant other is incarcerated. Some investigators estimate at least 10 

percent of gang members nationally are females, with some recruited as young as age eight 

into the gang.43

•	 2013 NGIC reports indicate that female FLG members are acting as co-conspirators in 

smash-and-grab burglaries and identity theft operations in at least 23 states. Female FLG 

members may drive the car to the location where vehicle burglaries are committed, for 

personal identifying information, and then use the stolen identity to withdraw money from 

the victim’s accounts and to conduct other fraudulent banking transactions.

•	 Open source documents reveal that in November 2012, a female gang member in Los 

Angeles was charged with attempted murder, murder, and vandalism for her role in the 
42 43

Female Roles in Gangs and Female Gangs 2013 National Gang Report

fatal shooting of a church deacon when he and others tried to stop her from vandalizing 

the church.44

Female Gangs

Law enforcement officials in Alabama, California, and New York claim that female gang members in their jurisdictions are forming their own sets and committing violent crimes comparable 

to those committed by male counterparts. According to open source reporting, female gangs 

and crews are on the rise throughout New York City housing projects in Brooklyn, the Bronx, 

and sections of Manhattan, including Harlem.45

•	 In December 2012, federal authorities arrested 40 members of the Bronx Trinitarios gang, 

which included the leader of the all-female faction called “Bad Barbies,” and charged 

them with nine murders and 24 attempted murders, according to open source reporting. 

The female leader of the gang, who was charged in connection with the shooting death 

of a rival gang member in 2005, is one of at least 100 women who run the Bronx Trinitarios.46

Gangs consistently take advantage of the perceived ability of females to attract less suspicion 

while in the commission of illegal activities. In many instances, for example, wives, daughters, 

girlfriends, or sisters of incarcerated gang members assume leadership positions when a gang 

leader is incarcerated. This is due, in part, because the incarcerated male leader appoints the 

female to oversee the gang during his absence.

•	 According to 2012 US Attorney’s Office reporting, the daughter of an Eme member assumed control of a Sureño gang faction in south Los Angeles under the direction of her 

father while he was incarcerated in Pelican Bay State Prison.47

Gangs, Prostitution, and Human Trafficking

Prostitution and the sexual exploitation of 

juveniles provide a major source of income for 

many gangs. NGIC and multiple law enforcement agency reports indicate that some gangs 

exploit females and juveniles through prostitution and human trafficking. Some prison, street 

and OMGs, which historically profit mostly from 

drug distribution, appear to be diversifying their 

income through crimes like prostitution and 

human trafficking. The NGIC has identified at 

least 25 gangs whose members are involved in 

prostitution or human trafficking operations.

At least 244 NGIC law enforcement partners 

reported that gangs in their jurisdiction are 

involved in prostitution or juvenile prostitution, 88 of which reported that the problem 

was moderate or severe. Respondents in 

51 jurisdictions reported that gangs in their 

region are involved in human trafficking.

Prostitution

Gang members often operate as pimps, luring or forcing at-risk, runaway, or medically-impaired females into prostitution and controlling them through violence, psychological abuse, 

or drugs and alcohol. Additionally, gang members in several jurisdictions target juveniles as 

young as age 12 for prostitution. The female victims are sold for sex for as little as $50 to upwards of several thousands of dollars.

•	 An ABT member in San Antonio was arrested for luring a 16-year-old boy into prostitution 

allegedly as part of a gang initiation; according to July 2013 open source reporting.48

Victims are often recruited for prostitution at detention centers, public housing units, shopping 

malls, schools, sporting events, and through telephone chat lines and social networking sites. 

Gang members and pimps use the Internet to recruit, advertise, and exploit their victims.xi

Some authorities suggest that gangs are involved in Internet prostitution because of the 

xi For years, gang members used Internet websites to advertise the sale of their victims. However, recently 

several Internet sites including Craigslist have eliminated their erotic services personal advertisement sections.

Human Trafficking vs. Alien Smuggling

Human trafficking is defined under the 

Trafficking Victims Protection Act statutes: Title 18, USC, §1584, §1589-1594.

Human Trafficking: a person compelled 

to provide labor or services, including 

sex, by force or threat of force, or by 

fraud or coercion. Sex Trafficking: a 

commercial sex act that was induced 

through force, fraud, or coer-cion, or a 

commercial sex act involving a person 

under the age of 18. Sex trafficking 

requires evidence of affecting interstate 

commerce. Alien Smuggling: the intentional transportation of undocumented 

individuals over an international border. 

Source: FBI 
44 45

Gangs, Prostitution, and Human Trafficking 2013 National Gang Report

potentially lucrative profits to be gained in addition to the convenience of cyberspace and its 

anonymity, which often makes online prostitution difficult for authorities to detect. The ease of 

Internet advertising and the use of smartphones have also afforded gangs a larger clientele 

and recruitment base. 

•	 Young girls in San Antonio are being lured into prostitution by gang 

members who stalk them on social 

media websites such as Facebook 

and Instagram, according to September 2012 open source reporting. 

Gang members can reportedly earn 

hundreds of thousands of dollars 

for each girl, some of whom are as 

young as 12 years old.49

•	 In September 2012, the leader of 

the Underground Gangster Crips 

street gang was sentenced to 40 

years in prison for operating a juvenile prostitution and sex trafficking 

enterprise in Fairfax County, Virginia. The victims, which included at least eight juvenile girls ages 16 to 17, were recruited at 

area high schools and on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.50

As observed with traditional pimps, gangs involved in prostitution employ control techniques 

to include: the use of drugs, violence, sexual assault, branding, and manipulation of victims 

to commit other crimes in furtherance of the gang. Gang members provide security, transport 

victims to dates, and schedule appointments. They also exploit victims for free sex. Juvenile 

victims, some of whom are female gang members or associates, may be forced to advertise 

for the business, solicit customers, schedule appointments, and collect money for the gang.

•	 In September 2012, an MS-13 gang leader in Montgomery County, Maryland, was 

charged with operating a juvenile prostitution ring comprised of young girls. Members 

of the Pinos Locos Salvatrucha clique provided young runaways – some younger than 

13 – with alcohol and drugs to make them more willing to engage in sex acts for money. 

Co-conspirators and fellow MS-13 members were permitted to have sex with the girls free 

of charge.51

Human & Sex Trafficking

Street gangs and OMGs have expanded their criminal scope into human trafficking due to 

the potential for high, renewable profits and the low risk of detection. Gangs recruit victims 

through false promises of wealth and affection, yet compel the services of their victims through 

means of force. Victims forced into human trafficking are reluctant to report their circumstances to law enforcement for a variety of reasons including immigration status, financial instability, 

fear, and intimidation.

•	 According to August 2012 FBI reporting, 

eight members of the Rolling 60’s Crips, 

including four women, were indicted on 

charges related to the sex trafficking of 

seven teenage girls who were recruited 

and groomed to work as prostitutes 

across southern California. According to 

the indictment, the gang members used 

physical force, threats of force, fraud, and 

coercion to compel the victims to engage 

in commercial sex acts.52

Gangs Involved in Prostitution

& Human Trafficking

• AB • Bandidos MC • BA

• BGD • Bloods • Brown Pride

• Crips • Da Mob • DMI • Florencia 13 

• Folk Nation • Gangster Disciples • HAMC

• Houstone • Latin Kings • MS-13 • Mexican 

Mafia

• Norteños • Omens MC • Sons of Silence MC

• South Side Locos • Starz Up • Sureños

• TB • TS • Vice Lords • 18th Street

*The above list contains only documented reporting over the last several years of gang involvement in prostitution and human trafficking.

New Study Reveals Gang Nexus

to Sex Trafficking Cases

A 2013 study conducted by Portland State 

University found that 49 percent of sex 

trafficking cases in Portland have a gang 

nexus, whereby victims have been exploited by gang members, are affiliated or members of the gang themselves, or are heavily 

influenced by gangs.Source: Portland State 

University; Commer-cial Sexual Exploitation 

of Children in the Portland Metro Area;

5 August 2013
46 47

2013 National Gang Report

Gangs and the US Border

The Southwest Border

Gangs, especially national-level Hispanic gangs, such as MS-13, the Eme, Sureños, and TB, 

continue to pose a significant threat to the Southwest border region.xii

Gangs in the region exploit opportunities along the nearly 2,000 miles of contiguous US-Mexico territory to engage in a multitude of crimes, including drug-related crimes, weapons trafficking, alien smuggling, human trafficking, prostitution, extortion, robbery, auto theft, assault, 

homicide, racketeering, and money laundering. Of these offenses, drug-related crimes – such 

as production, smuggling, trafficking, and distribution – are the most widely reported criminal 

acts committed by gangs of all types. Alien smuggling is the second most prevalent crime that 

gangs commit in the region, based on CBP reporting. 

•	 In September 2013, a known member of the Okie Town gang in Arizona was arrested, 

along with an accomplice, for attempting to smuggle two Mexican nationals into the 

United States. One of the Mexican nationals had prior drug convictions.53

Immigration violations also present a significant challenge to law enforcement in the region. 

In many cases, gang members who commit criminal activity in the region are not US citizens 

nor lawful permanent residents. Once deported, gang members attempt to reenter the United 

States illegally in order to rejoin the gang and engage in criminal activity. 

•	 CBP survey respondents indicate in some southwest border sectors, the percentage of 

non-US citizen gang members was as high as 80 percent.54

•	 Over the past year, law enforcement interdicted more than 175 previously deported gang 

members attempting to reenter the United States through either California or Texas, according to CBP data.55

•	 An August 2013 news article reported that Dilbert Coreas of West Palm Beach, Florida, 

faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry after deportation. 

Coreas, a purported MS-13 gang member, was deported for prior crimes and was recently observed back in the United States by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s detectives, based 

on photos posted online.56

xii The US Southwest border region is comprised of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

The Northern Border 

The gang population of the US northern border region is more diverse than that of the southwest border, based on CBP survey data. Approximately 77 percent of sectors in the region 

experience a significant threat from multiple gang types, including street and prison gangs, 

and OMGs. The northern border region also cites the prominence of several lesser known, 

racially or geographically based gangs. For example, multiple sectors in the region reported 

a significant presence of Somali gangs, such as the True Somali Blood and Somali Hot Boyz; 

Caribbean gangs, including the Zoe Pound Gang and the Jamaican Posse; or Asian gangs, 

specifically the Asian Boyz.57

OMGs remain the most significant threat in the region and are consistently listed as the most 

prominent gang type. Based on CBP survey data, approximately 85 percent of sectors in the 

region list at least one OMG as prominent in their AOR, most frequently citing the HAMC, Bandidos, or Outlaws OMGs. Some sectors also report a significant threat from puppet clubs. Often these puppet clubs have an established presence in or connection with Canada, enabling 

them to easily commit cross-border crimes. These connections also encourage members to 

attempt to cross the border to attend events, often transporting drugs and weapons with them. 

Despite the international nature of many of the OMGs and other gangs in the region, there 

are very few reports of previously deported gang members attempting to re-enter the United 

States through the northern border.58

•	 According to law enforcement reporting, the Bacchus OMG is a HAMC puppet club in 

Canada that uses regional ties to traffic marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs between Canada and the northeastern United States.59
49

2013 National Gang Report

48

Gangs and Extremist Groups

Gang members often associate and collaborate with domestic extremist groups. At times, 

they adopt the ideology and tactics of those 

groups, according to law enforcement and 

FBI reporting. Gangs offer a desirable pool of 

potential recruits for extremist or separatist 

groups, and conversely, in some instances, 

an extremist group serves as a recruiting pool 

for gangs. In many jurisdictions, gangs and 

extremist groups have a symbiotic relationship and work together to mutually profit from 

criminal activities.

Law enforcement officials in 60 jurisdictions (18 percent) report that gangs in their 

jurisdiction either associate or cooperate with an extremist group, according to survey 

reporting. Law enforcement officials in 30 jurisdictions (9 percent) report that gangs 

and extremist groups in their regions work together to mutually profit from criminal 

activities.

Some black seperatist extremist (BSE) groups such as the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) 

and the Nation of Islam (NOI), have members who are current or former gang members who 

maintain connectivity to their gang upon joining the BSE group. Gangs and BSE groups may 

collaborate or form alliances for the purpose of acquiring weapons and drugs. Many gang 

members join BSEs such as the NOI and the NBPP while in prison to secure protection from 

other inmates, and maintain those ties upon their release.

•	 In February 2013, NOI Minister Louis Farrakhan suggested that Chicago gang members 

could serve a better purpose by training to become soldiers to help protect NOI property 

and assets, according to open source reporting.60 xiii

Some gangs associate and collaborate with white supremacist extremist groups. Cooperation 

between the two groups may be motivated by financial gain or promotion of the Caucasian 

race.

xiii In 2005, the NOI called for Bloods and Crips in Los Angeles, California to unite under the NOI against the 

US government.

Sovereign citizen ideology appears to be growing in the prison system and represents a possible emerging form of anti-government prison radicalization. Several incarcerated, validated 

gang members utilize sovereign citizen tactics in attempts to be released from prison. Additionally, some incarcerated gang members have attempted to misuse the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)xiv based on the sovereign citizen belief that the UCC has replaced civil and 

criminal law statutes.

xiv Per the US Small Business Administration, the UCC is a comprehensive set of laws governing commercial 

transactions between US states and territories. These transactions include borrowing money, leases, contracts, and 

the sale of goods. UCC is not a federal law, but a product of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the American Law Institute. Both of these organizations are private entities that recommend 

the adopting of UCC by state governments. State legislatures may either adopt UCC verbatim or may modify it to 

meet the state’s needs. Once a state’s legislature adopts and enacts UCC, it becomes a state law and is codified in the 

state’s statutes. All 50 states and territories have enacted some version of UCC.

Sovereign Citizen Extremist Ideology

Sovereign ideology is based on a particular view of American history and literal interpretation 

of fundamental documents of Western civilization - such as the Bible; Magna Carta; Declaration of Independence; US Constitution; and Bill of Rights - that leads adherents to reject their 

US citizenship. “Sovereign” or “free” men and women claim to exist outside the realm of local, state, and federal authority. Sovereigns establish common law courts, and independent 

tribes, states, and nations. They manufacture sovereign licenses, badges, certificates, and 

other credentials. They create fraudulent documents and misuse official government forms. 

They refuse to pay taxes and legitimate debts and target enemies through liens, frivolous lawsuits, and on occa-sion, violence. They are involved in criminal activity such as firearms and 

explosives violations, redemption schemes, and identity fraud.

Source: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin; “Sovereign Citizens - A Growing Domestic Threat to 

Law Enforcement;” September 2011; available at: www.fbi.gov.
51

2013 National Gang Report

50

Law Enforcement Actions and Resources

Gang investigative and intelligence units and gang task forces have long been vital components in targeting gangs and have played a substantial role in mitigating gang activity in a 

number of US communities. Law enforcement agencies continue to work together to combat 

gang violence, but budgetary constraints have affected such efforts over the past two years.

•	 Of those surveyed, 58 percent of respondents indicate that their respective agencies 

have employees dedicated exclusively to the investigation of gang crimes. Additionally, 

46 percent report that they are a part of a gang task force with other law enforcement 

agencies. However, participation in gang task forces dropped 7 percent over the past two 

years. Most survey respondents indicate that limited budgetary or personnel resources 

are the reasons for withdrawal from the gang task force. Additionally, 25 percent of survey 

respondents stated that their budget for gang investigations has decreased over the past 

three years. 

•	 Collaboration and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is crucial as agencies face budgetary challenges. The FBI has employed a strategy 

to combat violent gangs on a national level since 1993 and currently operate 163 FBI 

Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Forces (VGSSTFs) in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Response to the Prison Gang Threat

For more than two decades, gang suppression activities have removed violent and influential 

gang leaders from communities and have co-located them within state and federal correctional facilities where many have continued to direct or influence the gang’s criminal operations. 

They establish associations with other criminal enterprises to exploit potential profit opportunities; strategically plan to expand their sphere of influence and control; establish evolving 

communication networks and utilize them to facilitate their crimes. It can be anticipated that 

the next decade will witness the continuation of these activities as well as increased criminal 

sophistication of gang leadership and gang operating procedures that will negatively impact 

communities. 

Joint Intelligence Sharing Initiative

The NGIC promotes multi-agency collaboration efforts to disrupt prison gang activity by 

participating in such information-sharing initiatives as the Joint Intelligence Sharing Initiative 

(JISI). JISI is a cooperative effort between the FBI and BOP to develop and share intelligence 

that aids in the identification of criminal elements for prosecution. BOP Intelligence Officers 

are embedded with a number of FBI VGSSTFs and the NGIC. The NGIC reaches a wide audience by disseminating JISI information via e-mail list serve and by posting it to NGIC Online. 

Upon dissemination, JISI information is used by federal, state, and local partners to disrupt 

prison gang criminal activity both in correctional facilities and on the street. In April 2013, the 

FBI coordinated with JISI teams in Seattle and Houston to arrest 12 individuals in an operation 

targeting members of various gangs, including the Bloods, TB, and Emi, whose drugs were 

supplied by MTCO cells operating in the United States. 
53

2013 National Gang Report

52

Outlook

Gangs will continue to vie for control of the territories they inhabit and will thereby continue to 

perpetrate violence and criminal activities in prisons and communities throughout the nation. 

As part of their fight to dominate the streets and prison yards of the nation – gangs will likely 

boost recruitment efforts to increase their membership numbers; forge new alliances to bolster 

their criminal operations; and strengthen the tactics they use to corner illicit markets – all in 

furtherance of their prime objectives to control as much territory and generate as much revenue as possible. 

Gang investigators will likely see an evolution in partnerships with other criminal enterprises 

as they venture further into non-traditional crimes like human trafficking and prostitution. 

The low-risk nature and lucrative reward of these crimes create a powerful combination that 

ultimately compliments gang objectives and thus guarantees that gangs will continue to seek 

involvement in these criminal operations. In a similar vein, traditional border crimes like drugs 

and weapons trafficking – though higher risk – are also high-profit crimes – and because 

drugs provide the number one source of income for gangs – gangs will push forth with their 

part in border crimes. Accordingly, gangs will preserve their ties to MTCOs, as there is flexibility in these relationships; and perhaps more importantly, MTCOs run the drug trade that gangs 

rely on for their livelihood. 

Prison gangs pose a significant threat to the United States and a unique challenge to law 

enforcement due to their extreme control over street gangs and their ability to remain hidden 

in their criminal operations. The nexus between street and prison gangs lies at the core of the 

prison gang threat because prison gangs could not function without their street counterparts. 

Many street gangs commit crimes at the behest of prison gangs – which ultimately means that 

– through their allegiance to prison gangs – street gangs spread prison gang crimes onto the 

streets and into communities nationwide. By proxy of street gangs, prison gangs thus pose a 

greater threat to the nation than is often perceived by the law enforcement community. 

Technology will continue to enhance methods that gangs use in their operations. Effective 

adaptation and utilization of technology will allow gangs to advance their methods of communication, facilitate their engagement in non-traditional crimes, and promote their expansion, 

collaboration, and recruitment efforts on both national and international levels. Quick and 

efficient communication through social media, wireless devices, and the Internet ultimately 

enables gangs to promulgate their illicit activities and expand into new areas, which align with 

their prime objectives. 

Fiscal constraints will negatively impact law enforcement resources available to combat gangs 

within the United States. As such, gangs that are more violent will likely receive the most 

attention from law enforcement – as they pose the more immediate and more overt threat – 

while gangs that are less violent and perhaps more profit oriented – will be better positioned 

to prosper. 

Acknowledgments

The NGIC and NAGIA thank our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners for 

their time and assistance in completion of this report of gang activity in the United States and 

US territories.

Federal Agencies

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service Police

Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations 

US Air Force Office of Special Investigations

US Army Criminal Investigation Command

US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Investigations (Guam) 

US Customs and Border Protection

US Marshals Service

US Naval Criminal Investigative Service

US Probation Office

Alabama

Alabama Department of Corrections

Birmingham Police Department

Northport Police Department

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office 

Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Arizona

Apache Junction Police Department

Arizona Department of Corrections

Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

Arizona Department of Public Safety 

Arizona DPS Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission 

Arizona State Prison Complex - Kingman

Chandler Police Department

Cottonwood Police Department

Florence Correctional Center - Corrections Corporation of America

Florence Police Department

Maricopa County Attorney’s Office

Maricopa County Juvenile Probation

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
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2013 National Gang Report

54

Mesa Police Department

Peoria Police Department

Phoenix Police Department

Salt River Police Department

Superior Court Juvenile Division Maricopa County

Tempe Police Department

Tucson Police Department

Arkansas

Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Maumelle Police Department

Pine Bluff Police Department

Russellville Police Department

Springdale Police Department

California

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Bear Valley Police Department

Berkeley Police Department

Burbank Police Department

Butte County Probation Department

Butte County Sheriff’s Office

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Camp Pendleton Department of Defense Police

Campbell Police Department

El Cerrito Police Department

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department

Escondido Police Department

Fresno County Sheriff’s Office

Valley State Prison Gang Investigations Unit

Garden Grove Police Department

Glendale Police Department

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

Los Angeles Police Department

Lompoc Police Department

Long Beach Police Department

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Marin County Probation

Merced Police Department

Morgan Hill Police Department

Mountain View Police Department

Oxnard Police Department

Petaluma Police Department

Pittsburg Police Department

Richmond Police Department

Riverside County District Attorney’s Office

Riverside County Sheriff - Gang Task Force

Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety

Sacramento Sheriff’s Department

Salinas Police Department

San Benito County Probation Department

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

San Diego County Probation Department

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office

Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force 

Santa Rosa Police Department

Shasta County Probation Department

Soledad Police Department

Sonoma County Probation Department

South Lake Tahoe Police Department

Sutter County Sheriff’s Office

Tustin Police Department

Visalia Police Department

Watsonville Police Department

West Sacramento Police Department

Colorado

Aurora Police Department

Colorado Department of Corrections

Durango Police Department

Greeley Police Department

Connecticut

Connecticut Department of Corrections

Coventry Police Department

Western Connecticut State University Police Department

Delaware

Delaware Department of Corrections

Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office

Dover Police Department

District of Columbia

United States Attorney’s Office
57

2013 National Gang Report

56

Florida

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

Brevard County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Department of Corrections

Fort Walton Beach Police Department

Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

Juno Beach Police Department

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation

Miami Police Department

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Seminole Police Department

St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

Georgia

Atlanta Police Department

Douglasville Police Department

Georgia Department of Corrections

Gwinnett County Police Department

Hall County Sheriff’s Office

Social Circle Department of Public Safety

Tifton Police Department

Valdosta Police Department

Iowa

Davenport Police Department

Idaho

Boise Police Department

Illinois

Chicago Police Department

Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office

Indiana

Anderson Police Department

Boone County Sheriff’s Office

Indiana Department of Corrections, Branchville Correctional Facility

Cumberland Police Department

Franklin City Police Department

Greenfield Police Department

Indiana Department of Corrections

Indiana State Police

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Porter County Police Department

Warsaw Police Department

Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas Police Department

Lawrence Police Department

Scranton Police Department

Kentucky

Barren-Edmonson (Counties) Drug Task Force

Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office

Fort Wright Police Department

Henderson County Sheriff’s Office

Hopkinsville Police Department

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Kentucky Department of Corrections

Kentucky State Police, Post 1-Mayfield

Kentucky State Police--Post 9

Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office

Owensboro Police Department

Princeton Police Department

Radcliff Police Department

Somerset Police Department

Louisiana

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office

Central Louisiana Gang Safe Streets Task Force, Alexandria, LA

Gang Intervention, Natchez County

Mandeville Police Department

Massachusetts

Douglas Police Department

Everett Police Department

Hampden County Sheriff’s Department

Lynn Police Department

Maine

Maine Information and Analysis Center

Maryland

Anne Arundel County Detention Center

Baltimore City Police Department

Berlin Police Department

Brunswick Police Department

Cecil County Sheriff’s Office

Charles County Sheriff’s Office
59

2013 National Gang Report

58

City of Takoma Park Police Department

Hampstead Police Department

Harford County Sheriff’s Office

Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Montgomery County Police Department

New Carrollton Police Department

Prince George’s County Department of Corrections

Prince George’s County Police Department

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office

Michigan

Auburn Hills Police Department

County of Macomb Enforcement Team

Ferndale Police Department

Holland Department of Public Safety

Kentwood Police Department

Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office

Marysville Police Department

Michigan Department of Corrections

Michigan Department of State Police

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office

Sterling Heights Police Department

Troy Police Department

Unadilla Township Police Department

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office

Minnesota

Bloomington Police Department

Coon Rapids Police Department

Minnesota Department of Corrections

Minneapolis Police Department

St. Paul Police Department

Mississippi

Canton Police Department

Columbia Police Department

Corinth Police Department

D’Iberville Police Department

Florence Police Department

Forest Police Department

Gulfport Police Department

Guntown Police Department

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office

Jones County Sheriff’s Department

Lamar County School District Police Department

Louisville Police Department

Madison/Rankin District Attorney’s Office

Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Mathiston Police Department

McComb Police Department

Monroe County Sheriff’s Department

Moss Point Campus Police Department

Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control

Ocean Springs Police Department

Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office

Pascagoula Police Department

Pascagoula School District Police

Pass Christian Police Department

Pearl Police Department

Pike County Sheriff’s Department

Rankin County Sheriff’s Office

Ridgeland Police Department

Rolling Fork Police Department 

Sardis Police Department

Shannon Police Department

Stone County Sheriff’s Department

Tunica County Sheriff’s Office

Wesson Police Department

West Point Police Department

Woodville Police Department

Missouri

Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Columbia Police Department

Missouri Board of Probation and Parole

Missouri Department of Corrections

Monett Police Department

Sedalia Police Department

Springfield Police Department

St Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Montana

Laurel Police Department

Montana State Prison

Montana Department of Corrections

Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Corrections

Omaha Police Department
61

2013 National Gang Report

60

New Hampshire

Belknap County Sheriff’s Department

Nashua Police Department

New Hampshire Department of Corrections

New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement

New Jersey

Atlantic City Police Department

Avalon Police Department

Borough of Spring Lake Police Department

Carneys Point Police Department

Clinton Township Police Department

Fairview Police Department

Garfield City Police Department

Lake Como Police Department

Lawrence Township Police Department

Long Beach Township Police Department

Millburn Police Department

Millville Police Department

Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office - Department of Corrections 

Mount Olive Township Police Department 

New Jersey Division of Parole

Newark Police Department

North Plainfield Police Department

North Wildwood Police Department

Old Bridge Township Police Department

Passaic County Sheriff’s Office

Princeton Police Department

Randolph Township Police Department 

Riverside Township Police Department 

Rowan University Police Department

Roxbury Township Police Department 

Salem City Police Department

South Bound Brook Police Department

Voorhees Township Police Department 

Winslow Township Police Department

New Mexico

Albuquerque Police Department

Belen Police Department

Capitan Police Department

Los Lunas Police Department

Luna County Detention Center

New Mexico State Probation and Parole

New Mexico 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office

New Mexico 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

New Mexico Corrections Department

Rio Rancho Police Department

Nevada

Carson City Sheriff’s Office Tri-County Gang Unit

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Washoe County District Attorney’s Office - Investigations

New York

City of Elmira Police Department

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office

Glen Cove Police Department

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

New York State Police

North Greenbush Police Department

New York State Courts

Oneida County Sheriff’s Office

Orangetown Police Department

Rockville Centre Police Department

Town of Hamburg Police Department

Town of New Hartford Police Department

West Seneca Police Department

Whitesboro Police Department

North Carolina

Asheville Police Department

Cary Police Department

Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

Elizabeth City Police Department

Fayetteville Police Department

Greenville Police Department

Havelock Police Department

Henderson Police Department

Hickory Police Department

High Point Police Department

Jacksonville Police Department

Kill Devil Hills Police Department

Kinston Department of Public Safety

Leland Police Department

Liberty Police Department

Lincolnton Police Department

Mebane Police Department

Nags Head Police Department
63

2013 National Gang Report

62

Nash County Sheriff’s Office

North Carolina Central University Police Department

North Carolina State University Police Department

North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

Onslow County Sheriff’s Office 

Pinehurst Police Department

Raleigh Police Department

Randleman Police Department

Shelby Police Department

Smithfield Police Department

Statesville Police Department

Union County Sheriff’s Office

Wake Forest Police Department

Wilmington Police Department

Winston-Salem Police Department

Woodfin Police Department

Ohio

Beaver Police Department

Bowling Green Police Division

Canton Police Department

Centerville Police Department

Cheviot Police Department

Cincinnati Police Department

Cleveland Police Department

Hamilton County Park Rangers

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Hamilton Police Department

New Lebanon Police Department

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office

Silver Lake Police Department

Springdale Police Department

Toledo Police 

Vandalia Division of Police

Village of Golf Manor Police Department

Wintersville Police Department

Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office

Oklahoma

Ardmore Police Department

Bixby Police Department

Catoosa Police Department

North Fork Correctional Facility

Lawton Police Department

Oklahoma City Police Department

Oklahoma Department of Corrections

Owasso Police Department

Warr Acres Police Department

Oregon

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office

Corvallis Police Department

Forest Grove Police Department

Grants Pass Department of Public Safety

Gresham Police Department

Oregon Department of Corrections

Oregon Youth Authority

Umatilla Police Department

Umatilla Tribal Police Department

Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Pennsylvania

Bern Township Police Department

Coaldale Police Department

Columbia County Juvenile Probation

Ephrata Police Department

Grove City Police Department

Hazleton Police Department

Kennett Square Police Department

Kline Township Police Department

Lackawanna County Prison

Lancaster City Bureau of Police

Lancaster County District Attorney

Lancaster County Prison 

Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office

Lehigh County Juvenile Probation

Lehighton Borough Police Department

Lewistown Police Department

Luzerne County Adult Probation and Parole

Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office- Detective Unit

Manheim Township Police Department

Mercer County Juvenile Probation

Mount Carmel Borough Police Department

New Hope Borough Police Department

Northampton County Department of Corrections

Palmer Township Police Department

Parkesburg Borough Police Department
64 65

2013 National Gang Report

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Pennsylvania State Police

Philadelphia-Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Plains Township Police Department

Quakertown Borough Police Department

Schuylkill County Juvenile Justice

Sharon Hill Police Department

Shenandoah Police Department

Southern Regional Police Department

Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department

Upper Dublin Township Police Department

Weatherly Police Department

West Hempfield Township Police Department

South Carolina

Aiken Department of Public Safety

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

City of Columbia Police Department

Conway Police Department

Darlington Police Department

Florence County Sheriff’s Office

Greenville County Sheriff’s Office

Greer Police Department

Horry County Sheriff’s Office 

North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety

Rock Hill Police Department

Santee Police Department

South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services

South Carolina Department of Corrections

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office

University of South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement & Safety

South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Corrections 

Tripp County Sheriff’s Office

Tennessee

Bristol Police Department

Chattanooga Police Department

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department

Cookeville Police Department 

Gallatin Police Department

Hardeman County Correctional Facility, Tennessee Department of Corrections

Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office

Knoxville Police Department

Murfreesboro Police Department

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Tennessee Department of Corrections

Texas

Arlington Police Department

Austin Police Department

Carrollton Police Department

Corpus Christi Police Department

Duncanville Police Department

Fort Worth Police Department

Garland Police Department

Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office 

Haltom City Police Department

Harlingen Police Department

Hood County Sheriff’s Office

Houston Police Department

Irving Police Department

Lancaster Police Department

Laredo Joint Operations Intelligence Center

Little Elm Police Department

Longview Police Department

Mansfield Police Department

Nacogdoches Police Department

New Caney Independent School District Police Department

North East Independent School District Police Department

Office of the Inspector General - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Rockwall Police Department

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Texas Department of Public Safety

Utah

Cache County Sheriff’s Office

Ogden City Police Department

Utah County Sheriff’s Office

Vermont

Vermont Department of Corrections

Virginia

Abingdon Police Department

Amherst County Sheriff’s Office

Bedford County Sheriff’s Office

Chesterfield County Police Department

Danville Police Department

District 17 Probation and Parole

Fairfax County Police Department
66 67

2013 National Gang Report

Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office

Gordonsville Police Department

Grayson County Sheriff’s Office

Hampton Police Division

Harrisonburg Police Department

Henrico Police Division

J Sargent Reynolds Community College Police Department

James City County Police Department

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office

Newport News Police Department

Portsmouth Police Department

Prince William County Police Department

Richmond Police Department

South Boston Police Department

Town of Herndon Police Department

Virginia Beach Police Department

Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office

Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department

Virginia Department of Corrections

Virginia State Police

Virgin Islands

US Attorney’s Office, Virgin Islands Anti-Gang Committee

Washington

Burlington Police Department

Everett Police Department

Federal Way Police Department

Hoquiam Police Department

Kennewick Police Department

King County Jail

King County Sheriff’s Office

Moses Lake Police Department

Puyallup Tribal Police Department

Quincy Police Department

Ridgefield Police Department

Seattle Police Department

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

Spokane Municipal Probation

Spokane Police Department

Tacoma Police Department

Walla Walla Police Department

West Richland Police Department

Yakima County Sheriff’s Office

West Virginia

Philippi Police Department

Summersville Police Department

Wisconsin

Oak Creek Police Department

Wyoming

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office 

Natrona County Sheriff’s Office

Wyoming Department of Corrections

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation

Wyoming Highway Patrol
69

2013 National Gang Report

68

Appendices

Appendix A - Safe Street Task Forces

Appendix B - Major Gangs by Safe Street Gang Task Force Regions

Appendix C - Survey Responses of Moderate and Severe Threat Posed by Prison 

Gangs

Appendix D - Known Presence of the Bloods Gang by City

Appendix E - Known Presence of the Crips Gang by City

Appendix F - Known Presence of the Sureños Gang by City

Appendix A
West

Aryan Brotherhood

Banditos

Black Guerilla Family

Bloods

Crips

Gangster Disciples

Hells Angels

Mexican Mafia

Mongols

Neighborhood-based gangs

Norteños

Sons of Silence

Sureños

 18th Street

 MS-13

Vagos

North Central

Bloods

Black P Stones

Crips

Gangster Disciples

Hells Angels

Latin Kings

Neighborhood-based gangs

Norteños

Outlaws

Sons of Silence

Sureños

Vatos Locos

Northeast

Hells Angels

Latin Kings

Mongols

Neighborhood-based gangs

Outlaws

Pagans

Sureños

 18th Street

 MS-13

United Blood Nation

South Central

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas

Banditos

Barrio Azteca

Latin Kings

Mongols

Outlaws

Neighborhood-based gangs

Pagans

Sureños

 18th Street

 MS-13

Tango Blast

Texas Mexican Mafia

Texas Syndicate

Southeast

Black Guerilla Family

Crips

Folk Nation

Hells Angels

Latin Kings

Mongols

Neighborhood-based gangs

Pagans

Sureños

 18th Street

 MS-13

United Blood Nation

70 71

Appendices 2013 National Gang Report

Appendix BAppendix C
72 73

Appendices 2013 National Gang Report

Appendix DAppendix E
75

2013 National Gang Report

74

Appendices

Appendix F

Endnotes 1 Press Release; “Members, Associates of the Bailey Boys and LRGP Gangs Face Murder, Attempted Murder 

Charges in Superseding Indictments;” US Department of Justice; 20 March 2013; available at www.atf.gov/press/

releases/2013/03/032013. Source is a government agency that provides information to the general public. 2 Online News Article; “Chicago Held Hostage by Violence,” The Root; 20 September 2013; available at: http://www.

theroot.com/views/chicago-held-hostage-violence. 3 Online News Article: “Chicago Murders Top Afghanistan Death Toll,” World Net Daily; 16 January 2013; Avail

-

able at: http://www.wnd.com/2013/01/chicago-murders-top-afghanistan-death-toll. 4 Internet Site; United States Department of Justice; About Violent Gangs: Definition of Gangs; 18 April 2013; http://

www.justice.gov/criminal/ocgs/gangs. 5 Internet Site; United States Department of Justice; About Violent Gangs: Definition of Gangs; 18 April 2013; http://

www.justice.gov/criminal/ocgs/gangs. 6 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey, question 13. 7 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey, question 14. 8 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey, question 20. 9 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey, question 21.

10 Press Release; “Hells Angels Convicted and Sentenced After Joint Investigation Uncovers Racketeering Conspir

-

acy Dealing in Guns, Drugs, Armed Robbery, Arson, and Money Laundering;” US Department of Justice; 19 June 

2013; available at www.doj.gov.

11 Online News Article; “Hells Angels President cries as he pleads for mercy in federal court;” The State; 19 June 

2013; available at www.thestate.com/2013/06/19/2826069/hells-angels-president-cries-as.html#storylink=cpy.

12 Online News Article; “Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Club members sentenced for racketeering;” KSDK.

com, St. Louis, Missouri; 23 April 2013. Available at: http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/376979/3/Motorcyclegang-members-sentenced-for-racketeering.

13 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey, question 14.

14 National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations; 2013 National Gang Survey; Multiple sources from law 

enforcement agencies with direct access to the information.

15 Open source news article “DEA Boss: Mexican Drug Cartels Are So Deeply Embedded in Chicago, We Have to 

Operate Like We’re ‘On the Border,’” 27 September 2012, available at www.theblaze.com.

16 Kiernan Group Holdings, “The “New” Face of Transnational Crime Organizations (TCOs): A Geopolitical Per

-

spective and Implications to U.S. National Security,” March 2013; available at : www.hsdl.org.

17 Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, “National Marijuana Initiative Update – 2013,” article undated.

18 Federal Bureau of Investigation; New York Division; “Alleged Gambino Associate, Westies Member, and Demon 

Knights Motorcycle Gang Member Charged with Violent Extortion;” Press Release; 27 November 2012.

19 Internet website; The Associated Press; “Man Gets 5 Years For Tax Fraud Involving Gangs;” 16 April 2013; www.

ap.org; Source is a nationally recognized news gathering organization that reports on news and issues affecting the 

world.

20 Internal Revenue Service; “Examples of Abusive Return Preparer Investigations – Fiscal Year 2013;” available at: 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Examples-of-Abusive-Return-Preparers-Investigations-Fiscal-Year-2013.
77

2013 National Gang Report

76

Endnotes

21 Internet website; The Los Angeles Times; “Long Beach Gang Targeted Over Alleged Tax Fraud Scheme;” 6 

December 2012;” www.latimes.com; Source is a local newspaper that reports on news and issues affecting the Los 

Angeles, California, area.

22 Internet website; Fox Business; “Why Gang Members Want Your Identity;” 4 April 2013; www.foxbusiness.com; 

Source is a nationally recognized newspaper reporting on news and issues around the world.

23 Internet website; Investigative Consultants; downloaded 9 September 2012; available at http://investigativeconsultants.com. Multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement reporting.

24 Online News Article; “Cops: Felony Lane Gang Burglarizing Cars in Naperville;” Chicago Daily Herald; 3 April 

2013; available at www.dailyherald.com/article/20130403/news/704039803.

25 Open Source News Article; “Sin City club enforcer guilty of manslaughter;” Colorado Springs Gazette; 20 February 2013; available at http://gazette.com/sin-city-club-enforcer-guilty-of-manslaughter/article/151260.

26 Online News Article; “Thirteen Corrections Officers Indicted in Maryland, Accused of Aiding Gang’s Drug 

Scheme;” Washington Post; 23 April 2013; available at www.washingtonpost.com.

27 Online News Article; “Court Clerk in Los Angeles Accused of Revealing Raids to Gang Members;” Los Angeles 

Times; 16 August 2013; available at www.latimes.com.

28 Online News Article; “Threat of IEDs Growing at Home;” Free Republic; 29 July 2012.

29 Press Release; US Department of Justice; US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri; “Kentucky man 

sentenced on federal racketeering conspiracy charges;” 20 July 2012; available at: http://www.justice.gov/usao/moe/

news/2012/july/rose_carlos.html.

30 US Department of Justice; Bureau of Justice Statistics; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; 

“Responding to Gangs in the School Setting;” National Gang Center Bulletin, No. 5; November 2010.

31 US Department of Justice; Bureau of Justice Statistics; Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; 

“Responding to Gangs in the School Setting;” National Gang Center Bulletin, No. 5; November 2010.

32 Carter F. Smith, Austin Peay State University; “Gangster Undergrads: Perceptions Regarding Gang Members in 

Colleges and Universities;” Journal of Gang Research, 20(2), pp.41-52; Winter 2013.

33 US Department of Justice; Bureau of Justice Statistics; “Youth Gangs in Schools;” Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention; August 2000.

34 Online News Article; “Violent gangs, prostitution, dangerous weapons in the classroom: Shocking safety agents 

lawsuit paints deplorable portrait of city schools;” New York Daily News; 3 March 2013; available at www.nydailynews.com.

35 Carter F. Smith, Austin Peay State University; “Gangster Undergrads: Perceptions Regarding Gang Members in 

Colleges and Universities;” Journal of Gang Research, 20(2), pp.41-52; Winter 2013.

36 Scott H. Decker, PhD et al; Examining the Prevalence and Impact of Gangs in College Athletic Programs Using 

Multiple Sources; Arizona State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; 13 June 2011.

37 Carter F. Smith, Austin Peay State University; “Gangster Undergrads: Perceptions Regarding Gang Members in 

Colleges and Universities;” Journal of Gang Research, 20(2), pp.41-52; Winter 2013.

38 Carter F. Smith, Austin Peay State University; “Gangster Undergrads: Perceptions Regarding Gang Members in 

Colleges and Universities;” Journal of Gang Research, 20(2), pp.41-52; Winter 2013.

39 Carter F. Smith, Austin Peay State University; “Gangster Undergrads: Perceptions Regarding Gang Members in 

Colleges and Universities;” Journal of Gang Research, 20(2), pp.41-52; Winter 2013.

40 Online News Article; “Three Men with Alleged Gang Ties Held in Santa Monica College Slaying;” Los Angeles 

Times; 12 June 2013; available at www.latimes.com.

41 Online News Article; “Police: Shootout Near Kilgore College Possibly Related;” Kilgore News Journal; 13 March 

2013; available at www.news-journal.com.

42 Scott H. Decker, PhD et al; Examining the Prevalence and Impact of Gangs in College Athletic Programs Using 

Multiple Sources; Arizona State University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; 13 June 2011.

43 Online News Article; “Albany Gang Unit Watches National Trend of Girl Gang Members;” WALB.com; 25 July 

2013; available at www.walb.com.

44 Online News Article; “Female gang member charged in church deacon’s slaying;” Los Angeles Times; 13 November 2013; available at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/female-gang-tagger-charged.html.

45 Online News Article; Rise of the Girl Gangs; The New York Post; 4 December 2011 available at http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/rise_of_the_girl_gangs_RYY4ra9Gt0OeGSo2nrio9L.

46 Online News Article; “Feds bust 40 members Bronx gang members, including the head of the all-female ‘Bad 

Barbies’ faction, on a slew of murder charges;” New York Daily News; 12 December 2012; available at www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/bad-barbies-bronx-gang-members-busted-article-1.1218874#ixzz2Yr6CgL5t.

47 US Attorney’s Office; “Federal Racketeering Indictment Targets South L.A. Gangs Controlled by Incarcerated 

Mexican Mafia Member and his Daughter;” Press Release; December 2012.

48 Online News Article; “Man Forced Teen into Prostitution as Initiation Rite, DPS Investigators Say;” KHOU.com; 

24 July 2013; available at: www.khou.com.

49 Online News Article; “Police: Gangs Recruiting Young Prostitutes over Facebook;” KVUE ABC.com; 25 September 2012; available at www.kvue.com/news/state/171201541.html.

50 Press Release; “Gang-related Sex Trafficking Cases (FY2011-Present);” Eastern District of Virginia Department 

of Justice; 14 September 2012.

51 Online News Article; “Illegal Alien MS-13 Member to Face Child Sex Traffic Charges;” Washington Examiner; 9 

September 2013; available at: http://washingtonexaminer.com.

52 Press Release; “Los Angeles-Area Gang Members Among Eight Indicted on Sex Trafficking Charges for Allegedly 

Prostituting Teenage Girls Most Victims were Under 18 and were Recruited from Inland Empire Schools;” Federal 

Bureau of Investigation; Los Angeles Division; 9 August 2012; available at http://www.fbi.gov/losangeles/pressreleases/2012/los-angeles-area-gang-members-among-eight-indicted-on-sex-trafficking-charges-for-allegedlyprostituting-teenage-girls.

53 Online News Article; “ Okie Town gang member arrested for alien smuggling in Dome Valley;” Yuma News; 18 

September 2013; available at: www.yumanewsnow.com/index.php/news/border/4065-okie-town-gang-memberarrested-for-alien-smuggling-in-dome-valley?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=

54 US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; 2013 Gangs and the US Border Survey 

data.

55 US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; 2013 Gangs and the US Border Survey 

data.

56 Online News Article; “Deported gang suspect ran kids’ bounce houses and pony rides, feds say;” Sun 

Sentinel; 13 August 2013; available at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-deportee-kids-ponies-20130813,0,3155038.story.

57 US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; 2013 Gangs and the US Border Survey 

data.

58 US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; 2013 Gangs and the US Border Survey 

data.

59 US Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; 2013 Gangs and the US Border Survey 

data.

60 Online News Article; “Louis Farrakhan Suggests ‘Gang Bangers’ Could Serve Nation of Islam;” Washington 

Times; 25 February 2013; available at www.washingtontimes.com. 
Alien Smuggling

none 18

low 20

moderate 12

severe 4

unknown 46

Assault

none 0

low 7

moderate 46

severe 44

unknown 3

Burglary

none 5

low 21

moderate 40

severe 29

unknown 5

Child Prostitution

none 28

low 16

moderate 8

severe 2

unknown 46

Counterfeiting

none 10

low 42

moderate 14

severe 2

unknown 32

Credit Card Fraud

none 9

low 24

moderate 32

severe 9

unknown 26

Drug Trafficking

none 0

low 2

moderate 32

severe 64

unknown 2

Extortion

none 6

low 19

moderate 38

severe 14

unknown 23

Fencing Stolen Goods

none 7

low 19

moderate 33

severe 20

unknown 21

Hate Crimes

none 14

low 37

moderate 21

severe 3

unknown 25

Homicide

none 9

low 22

moderate 38

severe 22

unknown 9

Addendum: Data from bar chart, page 12.

Note: numbers are approximate.

Human Trafficking

none 21

low 23

moderate 13

severe 5

unknown 38

Identity Theft

none 8

low 27

moderate 28

severe 8

unknown 29

Larceny/Theft

none 2

low 18

moderate 44

severe 25

unknown 11

Money Laundering

none 11

low 30

moderate 20

severe 5

unknown 34

Mortgage Fraud

none 35

low 16

moderate 5

severe 0

unknown 44

Motor Vehicle Theft

none 11

low 23

moderate 32

severe 23

unknown 11

Prostitution

none 17

low 30

moderate 21

severe 9

unknown 23

Robbery

none 6

low 13

moderate 37

severe 37

unknown 7

Threats/Intimidation

none 0

low 8

moderate 46

severe 42

unknown 4

Vandalism

none 3

low 26

moderate 32

severe 33

unknown 6

Weapons Trafficking

none 5

low 13

moderate 39

severe 28

unknown 15

78

National Gang Intelligence Center

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

NGIC-VA #405

Washington, DC 20535

ngic@leo.gov

1-800-366-9501