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Agencies join forces to tackle violent gangs

Prosecutors will use tactics that took down mob

By Jennifer Haberkorn (Contact) | Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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Federal law enforcement authorities have coupled multi-agency task forces with strategies that once focused on Mafia-era crime syndicates to target national and international gangs, many of which have brought warfare to the nation's cities.

With a propensity for indiscriminate violence, intimidation and coercion, some of the gangs are considered security threats. One of the largest is Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, with an FBI estimate of 10,000 members in 42 states, including Maryland and Virginia, as well as the District.

An FBI threat assessment issued in January said MS-13 uses firearms, machetes and blunt objects to intimidate rival gangs, law enforcement officers and the public. Other violent gangs from California to New York include Surenos 13, the 18th Street Gang, the Latin Kings, the Bloods, the Crips and Vatos Locos.

Federal officials say these gangs have one thing in common: They commit violent crimes in the name of the gang and for shared profit.

For the first time, analysts, agents and prosecutors from various government agencies will work together to try to lower the rate of gang crimes, which include homicides, drug smuggling, rape, prostitution, robbery, home invasions, kidnappings and carjackings.

Three task forces will develop cases using federal laws to prosecute gang-related crimes.

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) was enacted in 1970 to fight the Mafia, allowing prosecutors to target "not just individual members, but leaders of the organization," said U.S. Attorney Rod. J. Rosenstein in Maryland, where the law has been used against reputed members of MS-13.

The task forces hope to show that the purpose of the gang's racketeering enterprise is to preserve and protect its power, territory and profits through violent assault, killings, threats of violence and intimidation.

Using RICO, Mr. Rosenstein said, "you can have a broader impact on the gang, putting them out of business at least temporarily and, hopefully, longer."

The task forces involved are the Gang Squad, which prosecutes national and international gang members; the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC), which analyzes patterns and trends; and the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center (GangTECC), which develops cases for prosecutors.