Former Santa Cruz affiliate MS-13 gang leader latest to plead guilty

Santa Cruz Sentinel ^ | March 18, 2020 | Jessica A. York

[artichokegrower]

A former leader of a Santa Cruz-level transnational street gang pleaded guilty to federal murder, extortion and other charges this week.

Alexander “Pocar” Martinez-Flores was among a dozen men arrested during February 2017 Homeland Security raids around Santa Cruz County and in nearby Daly City. The arrests began as a Santa Cruz Police Department gang investigation in 2011.

[artichokegrower]

The police department faced a backlash at the time due to immigration-related detentions and arrests that occurred in conjunction with the federal raid — creating an atmosphere of distrust that has lingered into the present. Santa Cruz police and elected officials at the time lashed out at federal law enforcement once it became known that the arrests also spurred detainments based on questions of citizenship — not just criminal allegations. Protesting community members crowded into a Santa Cruz City Council meeting to express their disappointment and anger.

This was a big deal at the time. The open borders crowd raised holey hell that ICE raided the Latino communities in the city. The arrested the MS-13 members but also illegals that happened to be in the area. I guess murder, extortion etc is no big deal if you are a poor oppressed illegal.

[aynrandfreak]

Gangs are aspiring rival governments.

[frank ballenger]

I guess murder, extortion etc is no big deal if you are a poor oppressed illegal.

Watch for MS-13 gang members to sue to local police and governments for discrimination. Millions at stake for lawyers, too, so don't discount my cynical statement.