Five “Brown Magic Clica” Gang Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Charges

BOISE—Five members of the “Brown Magic Clica” (B.M.C.) gang pleaded guilty in United States District Court in Boise this week to racketeering charges, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.

Adam Gomez a/k/a “Lil Toro,” pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. According to the plea agreement, Gomez admitted he was a member of B.M.C., and that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including solicitation of arson and witness intimidation, through conversations he had while incarcerated in the Idaho Department of Correction. Sentencing is set for February 21, 2012, at the federal courthouse in Boise.

Jessie Rodriguez a/k/a “Pelon,” pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering. According to the plea agreement, Rodriguez admitted he was a member of B.M.C., and that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, by participating in shootings in Parma, Idaho, on July 8, 2006, and in Ontario, Oregon, on July 15, 2006, and by threatening individuals with a knife on May 17, 2010, in Payette, Idaho. Sentencing is set for February 21.

Samson Torres a/k/a “Gremlin,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise on October 13, 2011. According to the plea agreement, Torres admitted he was a member of B.M.C., and that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including distribution of methamphetamine.

Salvador Apodoca a/k/a “Bugz,” pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering on September 29, 2011. According to the plea agreement, Apodoca admitted he was a member of B.M.C., and that he conspired to commit and aided and abetted an assault with a deadly weapon during a shooting at a residence in Parma, Idaho, on July 8, 2006.

Mathew Grover a/k/a “Dreamin,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, and unlawful possession of a firearm, on July 27, 2011. According to the plea agreement, Grover admitted he was a member of B.M.C., and that he conspired to commit racketeering acts, including distribution of controlled substances. He also admitted to possessing and selling four firearms in Idaho in 2009.

Torres, Apodoca, and Grover are set for sentencing on January 9, 2012, before Judge Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.

Co-defendants Alfredo Castro a/k/a “Papos,” Oscar Garcia a/k/a “Bubba,” a/k/a “Tiny,” Adelaido Gomez a/k/a “Guy,” Juan Gonzalez a/k/a “Chango,” Juan Jimenez a/k/a “Loco,” and Amando Torres a/k/a “Toro,” are set for trial on May 15, 2012.

The charge of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years’ supervised release. The charge of attempted murder in aid of racketeering is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years’ supervised release. The charge of assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years’ supervised release. The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years’ supervised release.

The federal racketeer influenced corrupt organizations (RICO) law prohibits individuals from participating, or conspiring to participate, in the conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. An enterprise is defined as any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity. Racketeering activity is defined as specified criminal acts, including murder, arson, distribution of controlled substances, and intimidation and retaliation against witnesses.

The investigation, named “Operation Black Magic,” included the cooperative law enforcement efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Department of Corrections, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, the Meridian Police Department, the Nampa Police Department, the Nyssa Police Department, the Ontario Police Department, the Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.