Barrio Aztecas Gang Members Sentenced to Life

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that in El Paso this morning, six members of the Barrio Aztecas gang were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David Briones on federal racketeering (RICO) related charges.

“These six men are members of a violent criminal gang that works with vicious Mexican drug cartels,” stated U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton. “Today, they received their just punishment, life in federal prison.”

Carlos “Shotgun” Perea, Manuel “Tolon” Cardoza and Benjamin “T-Top” Alvaez were all sentenced to life in federal prison on three counts of RICO, RICO conspiracy, and drug conspiracy, and also received an additional twenty years in federal prison on the extortion conviction. Eugene “Gino” Mona received life in prison on a single RICO count, and Arturo Enriquez received 15 years in federal prison on the extortion count.

Testimony during the trial revealed that the Barrio Azteca gang operated its criminal organization through its command structure, and the gang implemented and executed its criminal racketeering, drug trafficking, and money laundering activities in the El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, area. They promoted and protected their power and their operations through threats of force, intimidation, assaults, and murder. The Barrio Azteca through its command structure has perpetuated this “scheme” since its inception in 1986, and it continues to this day.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with vital assistance and cooperation from the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, as well as the United States Marshals Service, El Paso Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety.