Feds Indict 24 Texas Prison Gang Members

SAN ANTONIO – Thursday U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas announced at a press conference that 24 alleged members and associates of the Texas prison gang Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) were indicted in San Antonio for criminal charges related to their alleged drug and firearm trafficking.

Daniel Comeaux Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division stated “members rely on the money made outside to fund members behind bars and help HPL as an organization thrive at the devastating expense of our communities.”

Law enforcement arrested 19 alleged gang members and associates Tuesday in an operation involving federal, state and local agencies. Five of the 24 defendants were already in federal or state custody prior to Tuesday’s arrests.

Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) is a prison gang which operates in Texas prisons and has strong street ties to South Texas. The gang is involved in narcotics, firearms, and human trafficking. HPL maintains ties with the Mexican Cartels.

Thursday’s s indictment carries 24 counts including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; conspiracy to traffic firearms; and more. If convicted, the defendants face varying ranges of time in prison, from maximum sentences of 15 or 20 years to penalties of five years to life in prison.

At Thursday’s press conference the U.S. Attorney thanked federal, state and local law enforcement partners, led by the FBI and DEA for helping to reduce violence, and firearm and drug crimes in the communities. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza stated, “their professionalism, determination, and expertise help protect the safety of our citizens and allow our federal prosecutors to keep violent criminals out of our communities for years.”

Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division stated “these arrests will put a dent into HPL’s drug trafficking activities that have been their main source of income.”

The defendants arrested Tuesday are:

1. Daniel Natividad aka “Danny Boy,” 50, of Hebronville
2. Brian Zepeda aka “Get Down”, 39, of San Antonio
3. Roberto Ibarra aka “Bobby,” 44, of Laredo
4. Mike Rayas Carrillo aka “Gordo,” 37, of San Antonio
5. Jesus Mendoza Jr. aka “Chivo,” 50, of San Antonio
6. Gilberto Garcia aka “Gibo,” 42, of San Antonio
7. Ramon Lozoya aka “Bulldog,” 41, of San Antonio
8. Maximo Flores Jr., 44, of San Antonio
9. Miguel Zamora Rosas aka “Eight Ball”, 39, of San Antonio
10. Paul Garcia aka “Baby Paul”, 38, of San Antonio
11. Abraham Pagan aka “Shank,” 44, of San Antonio
12. Mark Anthony Avila, 43, of San Antonio
13. Rudy Hugo Lopez, 34, of San Antonio
14. Robert Davalos Alvarado aka “Pork Chop,” 41, of San Antonio
15. Raymond Medina aka “Crime”, 35, of San Antonio
16. Roger Hilburn, 33, of San Antonio
17. Armando Perales aka “Pitbull,” 54, of San Antonio
18. Ruben Rivera, 36, of San Antonio
19. JR Perales, 31, of San Antonio
    The following defendants were already in custody:
20. Antonio Rios Jr. aka “Tone”, 33, of San Antonio
21. Vidal Morales Jr. aka “Moe”, 49, of San Antonio
22. Ronald Mendoza aka “Ronnie,” 41, of San Antonio
23. Carlos Bernal aka “Guero,” 46, of San Antonio
24. Adrian Calvillo aka “Token,” 40, of San Antonio

The FBI and DEA are leading the investigation with valuable assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and San Antonio Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Nowinksi and Fidel Esparza III are prosecuting the case.