We should keep in mind that Alex' deliberate exposure to and on-going relationships with former and current gang members were essential to the stated mission of Homies Unidos. Coupled with the relative ease with which "conspiracy" charge is brought against an associate of a current gang member, it isn't difficult to see how all this shocking development may ultimately prove to be an indictment against our broken society that relies on criminalization of as many people as possible, to the exclusion of innovative alternatives such as the one Alex and Homies Unidos bravely pioneered.

The LA Times is reporting that Sanchez was arrested on conspiracy to commit murder charges, not racketeering. Who has it right, the AP or the LA Times?

Jill Stewart

We're checking now! There's a lot of mystery surrounding this amazing arrest. Huge political embarrassment for all concerned. -- News Editor Jill Stewart

He's charged with RICO, according to the FBI.

Among those arrested in the multi-agency operation were Alex Sanchez, executive director of Homies Unidos, a nonprofit organization "which purports to use the public and private charitable contributions it receives for gang intervention efforts," said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.

Sanchez, 37, of Bellflower, has been charged with "racketeering offenses, including conspiracy to murder, during the time he was associated with Homies Unidos," Eimiller said.

RICO allows prosecution of a group of people engaged in a pattern of criminal activities. If a person is a member of the group and has engaged in one of RICO-identified activities (e.g. murder, extortion, fraud, etc.), then s/he can be charged under RICO as well as for the underlying offense.

I haven't read the actual indictment yet (which I expect to have in my hand by the end of the day today), but I'm fairly certain that the alleged conspiracy to commit murder is the underlying criminal offense that triggered RICO for Alex.

Bear in mind, though, that conspiracy is easier to charge and prove than murder is. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out that all Alex is actually guilty of is saying "Yes, I understand why you want to kill that pig. He deserves whatever's coming to him."

As someone who has worked gangs in LA, this is actually a good organization. I can't speak to the particular case or Alex Sanchez, but to tar anyone who has said good things about Homies Unidos is sloppy journalism at best. LA Weekly has been one of those entities that raved about Sanchez, so don't be casting stones. Homies Unidos have saved the lives of two bangers I used to arrest and who I directly recommended them to.

Jill, how close was Sanchez to members of the City Council, the Mayor and Tom Hayden? Would they have known of his (alledged) crimes? If so, did they close their eyes to what was going on?

Wasn't Janice Hahn involved in a scandal because her office had funded some sort of anti gang activity whose leaders were still committing crimes? How much gang crime does the City of L.A. finance?

Interesting how the FEDS had to arrest Sanchez, members of MS-13, and two weeks ago members of the 18th Streeters - along with a lawyer that Jennifer Lopez wanted to produce a television series based on his life of 'turning over a new leaf' from thug to super attorney. Is there any truth to the notion that some LAPD officers believe their careers will be ruined if they come down on these thugs as long as Villaraigosa and Reyes are in charge?

When the 18th Streeters killed that 3 week old infant at Sixth/Burlington in 07, Reyes promised the community that cameras would be installed on 6th Street to keep the 18th Streeters from extorting money from the street vendors. This was pure spin, the cameras have never been installed and they never will be.

His immediate spin on what a wonderful guy Sanchez is tells me the gangs have some role of importance for these politicians.

You bet your ass any LAPD officers who really want to go after the thugs in LA will definitely hear about it from the gang banger Mayor. Remember he supported the gang members against gang injunctions when he was with the ACLU. LAPD Officers in South LA got nailed because of idiots like Janice Hahn was paying gang bangers and the cops wanted them arrested. Fox 11 did a great story outing Janice. We're waiting for the FEDS to go after Homeboy Industries. Every LAPD gang officer and tons of people where these idiots live will tell you they are actively gang banging. Father Boyle protects them from the cops and refuses to testify against them. People who don't know any better like entertainment fools keep giving them money.

@ Maria: weird - I remember Rampart, I remember Rodney King, I remember a host of "Conspiracies" from the LAPD - somehow I doubt any LAPD career could ever be ruined as they operate with TOTAL impunity. But it's good you look deeply into an issue before making a judgment... that's so LAPD like. Of course, don't bother reading Officer Smith's post above - it's likely to cloud your pre-decision.

No Josh, the LAPD does not 'operate with total impunity'. More than one Rampart police officer has told me that if they are accused of harassing latino gangbangers - the unwritten rule is as long as Reyes is the district reprsentative, and Villaraigosa is the mayor, they will pay for their sins - which is why I daily encounter illegal activities in the MacArthur Park area. The Rampart LAPD has been notified that if a police officer is accused of harassing a gangbanger, and the gangbager sues him/her, the city will not pay for their defense. A represntative of Edward Reyes told me during a community meeting that the 'underground economy' is very important to Los Angeles - i.e. the street gangs will keep their people in line (which is why Reyes doesn't want any documentation of their activities), and their children will vote Latino - as Mr. Villaraigosa stated when he thought the microphone was off "When the old fat white guys die, there will be nobody left but us" - which explains why he has totally ignored South Central LA.

Things are looking stranger everyday. Here is something similar. The LAPD recently arrested and raided the home of one of their own, Randall Franklin who lives in the city, using a questionable warrant. The police department found nothing wrong with the search, though a jury uncovered several problems with the warrant that was issued. Several cross checks were not completed. The department claims they had the wrong address. Let's face it. There are a lot of departments that benefit from violence. For some reason, you can't pull up the story on the LA times anymore, but here is another link: http://waronyou.com/forums/index.php?topic=9503.0. Let's just pray that the truth comes out on all of these types of cases.