Gang member arrested by border agents

By Herald/Review staff
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009 - 05:10:52 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — An illegal immigrant with ties to a Chicago street gang was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol Agents at the Willcox Station on Jan. 3.

The 26-year-old male, whose name was not released, was identified as an active member of the violent Chicago street gang Spanish Gangster Disciples, Drake and Lawrence Faction, a press release stated. Border Patrol Agent Mike Scioli said the gang tries to unite all Latinos in Chicago and has ties with Mexican Mafia, the most notorious and largest gang with more than 800,000 members.

Scioli said the immigrant had symbols of the gang on his body, one such symbol would be a tattoo of a six-point crown. Scioli said the illegal immigrant had prior convictions such as dangerous narcotics and criminal trespassing, with a September 2008 arrest for unlawful possession of a weapon. He is now being processed for re-entry into the United States, Scioli said.

The illegal’s gang affiliation and past convictions were identified because of being enrolled into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) at the Douglas Station. Scioli praised the program, because it allows agents to know within 10 minutes, based on the person’s fingerprint, if he or she has any state, local or federal charges.

According to the FBI’s Web site, ww.fbi.gov, IAFIS has the largest biometric database in the world, containing the fingerprints and criminal history information for more than 55 million subjects. The criminal history and biometric data are submitted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

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Chi-town wrote on Jun 24, 2009 12:38 AM:

" To Lou.... Spanish gangster desciples not being allies with the Mexican mafia???? Are you serious.. Not probably are only the S.G.D's (Spanish gangster desciples) allied to the Mexican mafia but other street gangs as well. Not to unite all Latinos neither, it's a drug buissnes not a "hood" problem "

Chi-town wrote on Jun 24, 2009 12:29 AM:

" To JP... Did u read the article??? How do you say there's one less in the US??? He is being processed for re-entry to the country. So that means he would be in the US jail for a few more years. "

Lou wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:21 AM:

" Bull is RIGHT! There aren't 800,000 Mexican Mafia, actually only a few thousand as they're a prison gang. Many Southwest gangs pay taxes to them as they fall under their umbrella but there is no way there are 800,000 members that fall under the MexicanMafia umbrella. The government always exaggerates the number and they are not the experts many make them out to be. Also Spanish Gangster Disciples are not allies with MexicanMafia, they are part of the Folks Nation from Illinois and they aren't trying to unite all Latino gangs in Chicago. "

same ole wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:02 PM:

" thank our goverment for letting this happen. mexicicans are for mexico and mexicans,not americans. our goverment sold us out realize it,get angry and spread the word. "

Donna wrote on Jan 7, 2009 6:25 AM:

" "Border Patrol Agent Mike Scioli said the gang tries to unite all Latinos in Chicago and has ties with Mexican Mafia, the most notorious and largest gang with more than 800,000 members."
These are the new so-called "immigrants" that love to call Americans racists for objecting to their criminality which includes illegal immigration. FIGHT THE NEXT AMNESTY AMERICANS:
www.numbersusa.com "

To Bull wrote on Jan 7, 2009 4:19 AM:

" Your ignorant if you don't think that 800,000 is a viable number. The Mexican Mafia is active not only in Mexico & the US, but all over Central & South America, also Spain, Italy & France. Before you make statements you really should do some research. But then again, you're probably part of the Liberal, Pro Open Borders gang that doesn't give a hoot about this country. "

Bobby wrote on Jan 6, 2009 10:27 PM:

" Whew!!! Chicago must really be one mess of a place. Considering the Obama gang comes from there, we really have something to look forward to. "

JP wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:34 PM:

" Doesn't matter how many, there's one less in the U.S. now. Good job Border Patrol! "

Cruncher wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:29 PM:

" Law enforcement exagrates most everything, just as they have here in the number of mafia members, they also do the same in the value of pot that they seize, thereby making believe they are really winning the war on drugs. They seize 800 lbs, and price it per joint. They probaby have an account hired to figure that out. "

ConcernedPatron wrote on Jan 6, 2009 1:17 PM:

" This is just a sample of the criminal element that is seeping through our porous border each and every day. I have frends that are agents for Custom and Border Patrol, it would literally frighten most f you if you only knew what other elements are crossing our INternational border to the South. Until we take a stand with our elected officials...nothing will deter these criminals from entering our nation to peddle drugs and pilage and do all sorts of violent acts against our citizens! "

Really wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:59 PM:

" Ok "Bull"-
You seem to feel that you know more than law enforcement, so put up the facts that you used to support your statement. "

Poor guy wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:14 PM:

" He headed the wrong way, if he would have headed to Sierra Vista instead of Wilcox, he would have been fed at the church. "

To Bull wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:02 AM:

" OK Bull, then how many are there? Since you seem to know mre then Border Patrol Agent Mike Scioli. While you are providing reders with numbers, How many illegal aliens are in the U.S? "

Bull wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:57 AM:

" There are not 800,000 mexican mafia gang members. That's larger than most armys in central and south american countrys. That is just another absurd overstatement by law enforcement. "

Yay wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:31 AM:

" One down, nine million to go. "

Ralph wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:20 AM:

" 800,000 member street gang, is there anyone thats not a memberThe border patrol agent that nabs the bad guy should get a day off or a cash award. That would make their job more rewarding and interesting. "