CHINO SINNERS

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A federal indictment, unsealed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, charges 21 members of a Chino street gang with being part of a drug distribution ring with ties to the Mexican Mafia prison gang.

The indictment is the result of a two-year-long investigation known as "Operation Redemption." It targeted members and associates of the "Chino Sinners" street gang.

They are accused of distributing controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms.

"The drug network that we've disrupted today will hopefully make a dent in the violence of this community," FBI Special Agent Bill Lewis said. "The Chino Sinners gang has for decades eroded the quality of life in the city of Chino."

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed the illegal distribution network reached from San Bernardino County to Riverside and Los Angeles counties.

Investigators also say some of the gang members had established a partnership with members of the Mexican Mafia prison gang to distribute drugs in the state prison system.

More than 200 agents and officers from several federal, local and state agencies executed multiple federal arrest warrants early Wednesday. Several suspects were already in jail on unrelated charges.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A Chino Sinners gang member was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for trying to extort a gang "tax" from a man he met last year at a drug treatment class.

Ruben Johnny Gonzales, 57, was accused of demanding the man, a parolee who recently moved from Arizona to Chino Hills, "pay or play" -- meaning participate in gang activity or pay a $1,000 fee.

The man told authorities he tried to ignore Gonzales, but Gonzales persisted and came to his home several times demanding payment, according to a police report contained in Gonzales' court file.

Gonzales pleaded no contest to extortion in November as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. If convicted at trial, he could have faced a sentence of up to 39 years to life because of his prior criminal record, a prosecutor said.

The target of Gonzales' extortion attempt told authorities he met Gonzales in March during a drug treatment course at a Pomona parole office.

Gonzales overheard the man tell someone he lived in Chino Hills. Gonzales then approached the man, told him he lived in Chino Sinners gang territory and demanded he "pay or play."

According to the police report, Gonzales continued to hound the man until April 13, when he and two other men were arrested outside the victim's home after again demanding payment. Prosecutors have not filed charges against the other two men.

Crazy. So who is next? Onterio BA's?

[quote="cray"]Crazy. So who is next? Onterio BA's?[/quote]''

the whole westend cray

I can imagine a ton of fakes acting like they are there to get tax for eme while they are only serving their own pockets.