LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Thirteen members or associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang face charges by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their involvement in a narcotic smuggling operation and violent assault at the Los Angeles County jail system. Authorities disclosed that two of the individuals charged are currently fugitives.
Laura Eimiller of the FBI stated on Friday that arrests have been made for some of the defendants, with two apprehended on Thursday and one on Friday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force are currently seeking two additional defendants, while eight others were already in custody on unrelated charges.
The investigation, which commenced in February of 2022, was prompted by reports of narcotics being smuggled into the Los Angeles County Jail and an attack on an inmate within the facility. Allegedly, the coordination of these activities was overseen by high-ranking Mexican Mafia associates outside the jail under the direction of a Mexican Mafia member in state prison who operated within a Los Angeles County facility.
Investigators and deputy district attorneys involved in the case revealed that a Mexican Mafia “facilitator” relayed orders to associates within the jail to carry out an attack on an individual falsely claiming affiliation with the Mexican Mafia, a serious violation within the criminal organization. The victim was reportedly hospitalized following the attack.
During the course of the investigation, authorities identified a Mexican Mafia secretary and inmate leaders who were responsible for coordinating the movement of drugs within the jail. These narcotics were allegedly distributed and sold to other inmates for the benefit of the Mexican Mafia.
Furthermore, a Mexican Mafia shotcaller within the jail reported that narcotics belonging to a member were smuggled into the facility by an inmate. Subsequently, deputies seized over 30 grams of heroin, and a search warrant at the facilitator’s residence led to the confiscation of methamphetamine, a firearm, money, and communication materials related to the Mexican Mafia.
The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office’s Prison Crimes Unit, led by Deputy-In-Charge Lou Avila and Deputy District Attorney Abbigail Briones. Authorities have called for information on the whereabouts of the two fugitives, Marco Lujan and Ariel Pereyra, urging the public to contact the FBI in Los Angeles or provide tips through their online platform.