Fed crackdown on Utah gangs nets 50 arrests
"We are tired, frustrated and upset about gang problems," Tolman said during a press conference Tuesday. "These are all violent gangs, and we want them out of our communities."
Federal and state law-enforcement officials gathered to announce a massive roundup of gang members who are in the country illegally. Over the past two months, officials say Operation Community Shield resulted in the arrests of about 50 Mexican nationals involved in gang activity in Utah County and in Ogden.
The arrests include members and associates of Surenos-13, 18th Street, Southside 31st Street and Nortenos. Several of the local gangs are affiliated with well-known, California-based gangs.
The announcement comes after the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old Glendale girl in a gang-related, drive-by shooting and the capture of another gang member in Mexico who is accused of fatally shooting the owner of a Salt Lake hair salon in 2007.
Of the 24 gang members picked up in Ogden, nine have been referred for federal prosecution, and 12 face charges in state court. At least three will be charged with illegally re-entering the country.
Some 26 foreign nationals were arrested in Utah County. Six have been indicted by a federal grand jury for re-entering the country, and 14 others face prosecution by state officials in Utah County.
Tolman said the remaining people arrested will be charged with illegal entry and processed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for deportation.
"This is just the first installment," Tolman said. "There will be more."
He expected similar operations to take place in Salt Lake County and other parts of the state.
Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria said he was grateful for the federal government's efforts in dealing with illegal immigrants who are gang members. DeCaria said this particular segment of the population is to blame for a lot of crimes involving drugs and guns. Citing recent racketeering prosecution of several local violent gangs, Tolman said his office also has the option to go after these gangs as criminal organizations.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
Recent comments
Not all gang members are a different race, and not all immigrants...
Anonymous | Dec. 7, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.
I agree with Pete! Incarceration, not deportation. I had one city...
Dolly | July 18, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
lets do a little talking with our state representatives in a language...
rick | July 17, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.
- UTA receives $428 million 2:06 p.m.
- Three arrested 1:45 p.m.
- Grand jury indicts Baltimore mayor 1:36 p.m.
- Utah: painful recession ahead 1:31 p.m.
- Hunter's death 1:15 p.m.
- Activist to buy BLM leases 12:37 p.m.
- Jobless priced out of healthcare 12:34 p.m.
- Love can last 12:21 p.m.
- Utes happy at No. 2 12:19 p.m.
- Obama says plan to be refined 12:10 p.m.
- BYU's '09 football opener is OK
187 - LDS silent on issues
164 - U. season greatest in our history
146 - Shurtleff considers BCS probe
135 - Collie to NFL
118 - Utes finish No. 2 in AP poll
112 - Official 2009 BYU football schedule
111 - Utes earned crown on field
94 - Polygamous leaders arrested
89 - FLDS mother requests jury for case
87
Nobody can say who is the best team unless they play each other. Texas beat...
Yeah sure the Utah legislature is going to consider a ethics bill this year....
Every time a discussion about a BYU athlete leaving early comes up someone...
Not quite as good as Reasonable and Prudent, but every mile per hour helps!
Congratulations to Kyle Whittingham and a great UTE team. I don't usually...
can you say "backpedal" ?
When you do the "right things", like play football on Sunday the other things...
The New York Times became just another arm of the Obama campaign. Apparently...
Anarchy is what got us into the environmental problems we have now. So, tout...
#2 is a great ranking for the Utes. Especially when you consider where they...
