Introduction: Brief Overview
Mexican Mafia is a notorious street and prison gang in the United States. They are centrally located in Southern California, with a vast network of gangsters and leaders across 13 states of the US. Metych (2023) mentions that the Mexican Mafia infiltrates social and self-help groups to recruit more members and advance the gang’s agenda. The Department of Justice statistics show that the Mexican Mafia has more than 350 full members affiliated with street gangs in the US prison system (Justice.gov, 2023). Luis Flores, a former street gang member at Deuel Vocational Institution, founded the Mexica Mafia organization in 1957 (Metych, 2023). Later, established Hispanic gangs from Los Angeles joined the gang, forming a strong and powerful gang that ruthlessly controlled the California prison system. In the 21st century, the Mexican Mafia exercises robbery, drug trafficking, weapons dealings, human trafficking, assault and murder (Metych, 2023). Powell’s article also mentions that the Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, has gained anonymous control across Southern California, limiting drug distribution by other gangs. They tax other gangs to allow them to distribute drugs in the area. The letter M and a black-hand tattoo easily identify the gang members.
Overview of the general topic
Understanding criminal gangs’ historical, structural, and activities is fundamental for individual and public safety. It can also generate interventions on how to control and eliminate gangs. Previous research by Gebo (2016) shows how there have been attempts to link criminal justice approaches with public health to best-address crime problems and youth mental challenges. He mentions that understanding the behavior and activities of gangs has created a public health approach to identify core problems or health issues that predispose youths to gang membership. Ecological condition is one of the high-risk factors that Gebo’s research confirms it can increase gang membership (Gebo, 2022). Nevertheless, criminal gangs and gang systems are crucial topics for all Americans for safety and prevention reasons.
Case Study
The Mexican Mafia originates from Deuel Vocational Institutions, a previously closed Southern California correctional facility (Ramirez, 2019). Luis Flores is believed to have formed the criminal gang in 1957 when he was incarcerated at the prison to survive brutal conditions and gain protection for himself and his Hispanic peers from other dangerous gangs, such as the Aryan Brotherhood (Ramirez, 2019). Flore and a few members began offering a variety of services, including contract killings, gambling and drugs, to gain supremacy over other prison gangs.
The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, is a criminal with a wide network of members operating in Southern California. The gang is active in prisons and streets, with more than 40,000 associates (Poritzky et al., 2023). Aryan Brotherhood, old Arizona Mexica Mafia and Mexikanemi make up a network of approximately 70,000 Sureno gagsters or members affiliated with the Mexican Mafia in Southern California (Poritzky et al., 2023). New Arizona Mexica Mafia, La Nuestra Familia and the Black Guerilla Family are some of the Mexican Mafia rival criminal gangs. The gang collects drug taxes from subordinate gangs selling drugs in Southern California. They also maintain discipline by punishing those who fail to pay tribute to the organization. For example, Poritzky et al. (2023) mention that the Mexican Mafia issues a “green light” or authority to murder targets in prison or on the streets.
Additionally, La Eme has a joint venture with La Familia Michiocana (LFM), a Mexican drug cartel in the Mexican state of Michoacán. They are in partnership with Mexican Mafia to sell methamphetamine in Southern California and to obtain protection from the Mexican Mafia in exchange for meth and cash (Poritzky et al., 2023). Its power and dominance in Southern California make the gang less involved in drug trafficking than compared to other criminal gangs. These reasons, among others, inspired the founders to organize the gang.
The criminal history of the Mexican Mafia dates back to the 19th century when the gang began recruiting members and expanding its operation. They have executed numerous prisoners, correctional officers and innocent citizens across the United States. The US Department of Justice mentions that 31 gang members and associates of the Mexican Mafia were charged in a racketeering indictment for executing a record of offenses dating back to the 19th century (Justice.gov, 2023). The recent violent crimes the department alleges include January 19, 2017, charges for armed robbery and shooting dead Receive and Release prison, murder of prosecutor on August 21, December 5, 2017, and August 5, December 1, December 12, December 25, and July 29 attempted murder cases against juridical officers defenders such Munoz on August 5, 2017 (Justice.gov, 2023). The gang is also accused of attempting the murder of defendant Cooper on January 5 and December 31, 2019 (Justice.gov, 2023).
The Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization (RICO) and VICAR statutes were implemented in the United States as law enforcement efforts to control criminal gangs. RICO statute requires all members indicted for performing acts as part of the gang to serve 20 years in jail. VICAR statutes require all people indicted for murder, assault, attempted murder and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon to serve life, 20 years, 10 years and 3 years, respectively (Justice.gov, 2023). Indictment for the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin attracts a maximum sentence of life and a 5 to 10 years mandatory sentence (Justice.gov, 2023).
Significance/objectives of the research
This research unravels the structure and the criminal activities of the Mexican Mafia in Southern California and other US states. It is significant to the US criminal justice system and citizens. In the above case study, I have mentioned how the Mexican Mafia operates and interacts with other criminal gangs in Southern California. I have also mentioned how gangs thrive in business and how they maintain discipline among their members. This information is critical to scholars, citizens, and the United States criminal justice system. The general topic overview also shows how research of this kind can generate interventions to control gang membership, which is crucial to control gangs such as La Eme. Most importantly, this research seeks to inform the public and authorities in the United States about the Mexican Mafia operations and inform about interventions that help eradicate criminal gangs in the United States.
Analysis of the topic
As previously highlighted, the Mexican Mafia is the deadliest criminal gang operating in the Southern California prisons and streets. Some of its astonishing cultures include the loyalty tests to maintain discipline in the organization. Kennedy (2023) adds that loyalty tests include murder or theft, which gives them a pass if accomplished. Members also receive severe penalties, often death, if they refuse to take orders from the gang’s senior members. Acts of homosexuality, disrespect, cowardice and spying are also punishable by death. The gang is also in partnership with other gangs, such as La Familia Michiocana, to allow them to sell their drugs in Southern California in exchange for meth and cash. Kennedy adds that the Mexican Mafia uses the Eagle and serpent drawings representing Mexico’s flag on top of a circle as their main emblem, besides the letter M and black hand symbols. Nevertheless, the Mexican Mafia research topic revolves around its historical background, organizational structure and culture that helps the organization remain powerful in the Southern California streets and prisons.
Contributions to Knowledge and Implications
This research article is a great contribution to the gallery of research focusing on criminal gangs across the United States and the world. This research also includes many contributions from other scholars to enhance its feasibility and reliability. Most importantly, it enriches and adds information to the available knowledge about criminal gangs. The US criminal justice system can use this research to develop interventions against Mexican Mafia and other gangs in the United States. Citizens can also rely on this research for family and individual safety reasons.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mexican Mafia is a notorious criminal gang in Southern California. They have a wide network of street and prison gangs that help the organization thrive. They have strict regulations that bind the entire group when transacting business with members, non-members and allies. Kevin Trejo, James Mendez and Mike Escobar are the most recent senior members of Mexico Mafia Indicted (Orange County Register, 2023). Above all, the gang remains deadly and powerful due to its limited ability to identify and apprehend members. Further interventions are necessary to stop youth influence/membership.
References
Gebo, E. (2016). An integrated public health and criminal justice approach to gangs: What can research tell us? Preventive medicine reports, 4, 376-380
Justice.gov, 2023. (2022, April 27). 31 gang members and Associates of Mexican Mafia charged in racketeering indictment. Office of Public Affairs | 31 Gang Members and Associates of Mexican Mafia Charged in Racketeering Indictment | United States Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/31-gang-members-and-associates-mexican-mafia-charged-racketeering-indictment
Justice.gov. (2023). Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/entity-popup/file/432396
Kennedy. (2023, June 19). A brief history of the Mexican Mafia. Discover Walks Blog. https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/united-states/a-brief-history-of-the-mexican-mafia/
Metych, M. (2023, October 14). Mexican Mafia. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mexican-Mafia
Orange County Register. (2023, October 14). 3 men convicted in 2017 Mexican Mafia murder in orange. Orange County Register. https://www.ocregister.com/2023/10/13/3-men-convicted-in-2017-mexican-mafia-murder-in-orange/#:~:text=Kevin%20Trejo%2C%20James%20Mendez%20and,its%20reputed%20leader%2C%20Johnny%20Martinez.
Poritzky, I., Jones, N. P., & Sullivan, J. P. TRANSNATIONAL CARTELS AND PRISON/JAIL GANGS: A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS OF MEXICAN MAFIA (EME) AND LA FAMILIA MICHOACANA CONSPIRACY CASES.
Powell, T. B. (2022, April 28). 31 alleged Mexican Mafia members and associates indicted on racketeering, murder, drug and gun charges. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexican-mafia-indictments-murder-attempted-murder-drugs/
Ramirez, R. (2019, October 29). “La eme”-the mexican Mafia. Reynolds’s News and Miscellany. https://reynolds-news.com/2019/04/15/la-eme-the-mexican-mafia-robert-ramirez/
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