Two men battle for control of Orange County Mexican Mafia
It was the day after Christmas 2010 when Eberardo Diaz walked toward Jaime Torres inside Theo Lacy jail, and then, officials believe, slashed him with a knife he had smuggled in.
On New Year’s Eve that year, inmates in Theo Lacy found Joseph Baez and began beating him until deputies intervened.
Gang crimes on the street and assaults behind bars can appear to be haphazard, ruthless, aimless violence. But indictments unsealed this week paint a different picture of crime and violence in Orange County, where the sale of drugs is regulated, where violent gangs adhere to rules and orders. Superiors are respected. Rule breakers are disciplined. And what may seem like random mayhem is controlled by two men hundreds of miles away.
Law enforcement officials unsealed indictments naming nearly 100 people who they allege are gangsters and members of the notorious Mexican Mafia, who through violence and control of Orange County jails exerted their influence over Latino gangs on the streets.
Pulling the strings, according to the indictments, were Peter Ojeda, 68, and Armando Moreno, in his 30s: two men who law enforcement officials said once worked together to manage gangs throughout the county, but by 2009 began fighting for power.
Read more: https://www.ocregister.com/2011/07/18/2-men-battle-for-control-of-oc-mexican-mafia/
