Member of 10th Street Gang Sentenced on RICO Charge

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Saul Santana, 26, of Buffalo, New York, who was convicted of Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to 324 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was a member of the 10th Street Gang, a criminal enterprise engaged in racketeering activity in Western New York. As part of his involvement in the 10th Street Gang, Santana shot and killed rival gang member Anthony Colon on June 26, 2009, in broad daylight. In addition, the defendant conspired to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana, and other controlled substances on the West Side of Buffalo as part of the affairs of the 10th Street Gang. Santana also possessed various firearms and guarded 10th Street territory and routinely resorted to violence to ensure that no rival gang members or narcotics dealers encroached upon their territory.

“This significant sentence should send a strong message to other groups or individuals that committing violence will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who attempt to hold our community hostage with such acts or through trafficking illegal narcotics.”

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Richard M. Frankel, Acting Special Agent in Charge; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.