Search results matching tags 'El Paso County Attorney's Office' and 'gang injunction'

Northeast Residents Protected By a New Gang Injunction Against Members Of The Bloods

edominguez — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:01:00 GMT

13 active members of the gang covered. Five others are scheduled to challenge the injunction in court

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez today announced that a gang injunction in Northeast El Paso is in effect against 13 members of the bloods street gang. Five other defendants will challenge the injunction in a trial to be held in March of next year.

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez said this afternoon that he believes this new gang injunction will give northeast residents some peace of mind.

"By restricting the activities of these gang members, we expect to see a drop in criminal activity in Northeast El Paso. I would like to thank El Paso Police Department for its support in getting this gang injunction implemented and for enforcing it," Rodríguez said.

The gang members under the civil injunction are almost half of the 27 individuals that were first sued in March 20, 2009 in an effort to curb crime and gang activity in Northeast El Paso. The original petition listed individuals who, according to police records, regularly associated to commit organized criminal activity, including aggravated assaults, burglaries, robberies, weapon offenses, and drug related transactions.

Since then, eight of the defendants have voluntarily agreed to the terms of the injunction, while five have been put under the restrictions of the injunction for failing to appear before the court (defaulted). Nine others have been removed from the lawsuit for different reasons.

The eight defendants that have voluntarily accepted the terms of the injunction by signing agreements with the County Attorney's Office are:

Eyitayo Araromi (under a 2 year injunction)
Olaniyi Araromi (under a 2 year injunction)
Hector Carachure (under a 5 year injunction)
Deshaun Jones (under a 5 year injunction)
Fernando Perches (under a 5 year injunction)
Markus Reed (under a 2 year injunction)
Darius Terrell Shannon (under a 2 year injunction)
Stanley Simmons (under a 5 year injunction)

Five additional individuals have been placed under the restrictions set forth by a 2-year injunction for failing to appear before the court (included in the injunction by default):

Cyrus Jamal Arnold
Jacob Arreola
Teandrea Barnes
Travell Gomez
Jackieray Charles Green

The gang injunction in place effectively increases punishment for defendants who commit crimes within the 2 designated "safety zones." The "Triangle Safety Zone" which begins at the intersection of Gateway North and Dyer and encompasses Gateway North on the West, Dyer on the east, and Hondo Pass on the north, and the "Patriot Safety Zone", that encompasses Transmountain Drive on the South, Gateway North on the west, McCombs on the east, and Sean Haggerty on the north.

The new gang injunction forbids defendants from carrying out certain activities considered a public nuisance within the "safety zones," such as:

Associating, standing, sitting, walking, driving, bicycling, gathering, or appearing anywhere in public view or in the same vehicle with any other Defendant (there are exceptions).
Consuming alcoholic beverages, at any time, on public property.
Knowingly possessing indelible markers or pens, aerosol paint, or an etching or engraving device, which may be used to damage, deface, or mark private or public property.
Spray painting or otherwise marking graffiti on any public place or private property.
Confronting, intimidating, harassing, challenging, provoking, assaulting, and/or battering any individual inside the safety zones.
Knowingly using, possessing, and or selling illegal drugs or narcotics.
Remaining, walking, running, standing, driving, or riding about, in, or upon any public place within the safety zones between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (there are exceptions).
Entering at anytime a public or private school or attending any school sponsored functions unless he is a student, works for the school, or is required to be there by a family attending school (Other exceptions apply).
Getting within 50 feet of the property known as "La Chit Chat Lounge" (4808 Dyer), including the parking area.

El Paso County José R. Rodríguez also announced today that nine of the original defendants have been removed from the lawsuit (non-suited) due to different factors:

Briant Berryman
Brittany Rene Butler
Kimberly Crawford
Stephanie Annette Cruz
Keshia Flanders
Janise Jones
Rogelio López
Elgie Munn
David Maurice Milner

At this point, only petitions against five alleged members of the blood gang remain pending. These individuals are:

Omar Arreola
Phillip Bobby Berryman
Brian Christopher Hairston
Eric Antwan Stokes

Daniel Odom* (Has not been found)

The trial to determine the implementation of the injunction against those defendants was scheduled for Monday October 4, 2009, but has now been re-scheduled for March 8, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

The continuance on the case for those 5 defendants was granted this morning after a motion filed by defense counsel. At the hearing, the County Attorney's Office did not oppose the continuance of the trial because it involves a relatively small number of defendants and one of them is believed to have fled the country.

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Bloods Gang Injunction Update Press Release.pdf

County Attorney Seeks To Fast Track Court Proceedings In Gang Injunction

edominguez — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:32:00 GMT

             On Friday April 17, 2009 El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez decided that, rather than seek a Temporary Restraining Order and a subsequent Temporary Injunction against alleged members of the Bloods street gang, his office will instead seek to fast track the case by aggressively pursuing a Permanent Injunction restricting the alleged criminal activities of the defendants.

            Due to the decision, the hearing on a Temporary Restraining Order scheduled for Tuesday April 21, 2009 at County Court at Law # 3 has been cancelled. A date for a hearing on the Permanent Injunction is expected to be set by the court within 30 - 45 days.

            Under this fast track approach, by eliminating the need for 2 previous hearings, Rodriguez expects to obtain a faster resolution to the case.

            In making this decision, the County Attorney consulted with the El Paso Police Department to ensure that the northeast community will continue to be protected while the case is pending.

           "The Court has appointed counsel to most of the defendants, so there is no reason to delay the final hearing on the Permanent Injunction. We want to give Judge Alvarez the opportunity to decide, as soon as possible, whether our petition for a Permanent Injunction has merit, and to have the Permanent Injunction in place to protect the residents of northeast El Paso," Rodriguez said.

Gang Injunction Fast Track Press Release.pdf

Judge Schedules Hearing To Discuss Issuance Of A Temporary Restraining Order Against Alleged Members Of The “Bloods” Street Gang

edominguez — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:24:00 GMT

New hearing set for Tuesday April 21, at 9:00 a.m.

El Paso County Attorney' José R. Rodríguez announced today that County Court at Law # 3 Judge Javier Álvarez has scheduled a hearing to discuss the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order against 20 individuals alleged to be part of the "Bloods" street gang.

At today's hearing, Judge Javier Álvarez stated that the police affidavit used to support the issuance of the Temporary Restraining Order against the alleged gang members was defective because it failed to contain the necessary legal language. In response, the County Attorney's Office filed an amended petition, correcting the affidavit.

In addition, Judge Álvarez stated the County Attorney could proceed without posting a bond upon getting consent from the Texas Attorney General. The County Attorney's Office has requested the required authorization from the Texas Attorney General's Office.

County Court at Law # 3 Javier Álvarez has scheduled a new hearing on the case for Tuesday April 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the Court grants a Temporary Restraining Order against the individuals included in the petition.

If the Temporary Restraining Order is granted, defendants would be subject to the restrictions set forth in the original petition until the start of the trial. Some of the restrictions include:

Entering the home or vehicle of other member of the Bloods gang
Entering a school (unless there is a legitimate reason)
Possessing alcoholic beverages at any time, on public property
Fighting anywhere within the safety zones
Possessing aerosol paint, markers, or razor blades used for tagging
Doing any activity outdoors between 10 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the safety zones

Prior to today's hearing, defendants David Maurice Milner, Rogelio López, and Kimberly Crawford were dropped from the petition and are no longer a party to the lawsuit.

Also, a total of three defendants, Fernando Perches, Stanley Simmons, and Deshaun Jones, have agreed to enter into a permanent injunction prohibiting them from participating in all the restricted activities listed in the lawsuit.

County Attorney José R. Rodríguez stated that he expects the case to proceed next week. "Despite these delays, we will continue to seek a permanent injunction in an effort to protect the residents of Northeast El Paso," Rodríguez said.

2nd Gang Injunction Hearing Press Release.pdf

Procurador del Condado y Departamento de Policía se Unen para Combatir la Criminalidad en el Noreste de El Paso con una Nueva Orden de Restricción Contra Pandillas

edominguez — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:40:00 GMT

La solicitud incluye 2 ‘zonas protegidas' y a 27 miembros de la pandilla Bloods

El Procurador del Condado de El Paso José R. Rodríguez y el Jefe de la Policía de El Paso Gregory Allen anunciaron hoy que ha sido archivada en corte una solicitud para obtener una nueva orden de restricción contra pandilleros que cometen crímenes en el Noreste de la ciudad.

La solicitud para la Orden de Restricción contra Pandillas fue presentada esta mañana en la Corte del Condado # 3. La solicitud crea 2 zonas protegidas en el noreste de El Paso, denominadas "Zona Protegida del Triángulo" y "Zona Protegida Patriota", y nombra a 27 miembros reconocidos de la pandilla "Bloods."

También esta mañana el Juez de la Corte del Condado # 3, Javier Álvarez emitió una Orden de Restricción Temporal contra los 27 miembros de la pandilla mencionados en la solicitud. La Orden de Restricción Temporal hace validas las restricciones contenidas en la solicitud por un periodo de 14 días, periodo después del cual se realizará una audiencia para determinar si se otorga una Orden de Restricción Permanente.

Si es aprobada de manera permanente, la nueva Orden de Restricción Contra Pandillas no solo aumentará las penas para los acusados que cometan crímenes dentro de las zonas protegidas, sino que también les prohibirá realizar otras actividades que pudieran considerarse "molestas" para el público, como por ejemplo:

Reunirse con otros miembros de la pandilla en público
Entrar a las propiedades o vehículos de otros miembros de la pandilla
Entrar a las escuelas (a menos que exista una razón legitima)
Poseer bebidas alcohólicas en la vía pública a cualquier hora
Portar cualquier tipo de arma, incluyendo bats de beisball y clubs
Pelear dentro de cualquier lugar dentro de la zona protegida
Poseer pintura de aerosol, marcadores o navajas para marcar graffiti
Acercarse o comunicarse con los tripulantes de un vehículo
Molestar o amenazar a los residentes o los transeúntes
Hacer demasiado ruido innecesariamente a cualquier hora del día o la noche
Utilizar pagers, beepers o teléfonos celulares en la vía publica
Avisar a otras personas sobre el arribo de agentes policíacos
Ayudar a esconder a otros pandilleros de la policía
Utilizar señales de pandilla en la vía pública
Permanecer en la vía pública dentro de las zonas protegidas después de las 10 de la noche y hasta las 6 de la mañana
Utilizar lenguaje obsceno en público
Dar información falsa a los oficiales de la policía

La Zona Protegida de el Triángulo inicia en la intersección de Gateway North y Dyer, y está delimitada al oeste por Gateway North, al este por la calle Dyer, y al norte por la calle Hondo Pass.

La Zona Protegida Patriota está delimitada al sur por la calle Transmountain Drive, al oeste por la calle Gateway North, al este por la calle McCombs, y al norte por la calle Sean Haggerty.

De acuerdo con los archivos de la policía, los 27 miembros de la pandilla Bloods incluidos en la solicitud se asocian regularmente para cometer actos de delincuencia organizada, incluyendo asaltos agravados, robos, crímenes con armas, y transacciones de narcotráfico dentro de las zonas designadas. La pandilla de los Bloods son responsables de más de 100 delitos graves cometidos en el área en los últimos 4 años.

Para hacer esta Orden de Restricción Contra Pandillas una realidad, la Oficina del Procurador del Condado trabajo muy de cerca con el Departamento de Policía de El Paso por más de un año para recolectar la evidencia necesaria.

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Members of the Bloods Included in the NE Gang Injunction.pdf

County Attorney and Police Department Unite To Fight Crime in Northeast El Paso with a New Gang Injunction

edominguez — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Petition includes 2 "safety zones" and 27 members of the Bloods

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez and El Paso Police Chief Gregory Allen today announced the filing of a new gang injunction to combat gang activities in the streets of Northeast El Paso.

The Petition for the new gang injunction was filed this morning and landed in the County Court at Law # 3. The request creates 2 safety zones in Northeast El Paso, the "Triangle Safety Zone" and the "Patriot Safety Zone," and names 27 known members of the Bloods street gang.

Also this morning, the County Court at Law # 3 Judge Javier Álvarez approved a Temporary Restraining Order against the 27 members of the Bloods named in the petition. The Temporary Restraining Order activates the restrictions contained in the application for a period of 14 days after which the Court will conduct a hearing to consider granting a Temporary Injunction.

If approved permanently, the new gang injunction will not only increase punishment for defendants who commit crimes within the safety zones, but also will forbid them from carrying out other activities considered a public nuisance, such as:

Gathering with other gang members in public view
Entering the home or vehicle of other member of the Bloods gang
Entering a school (unless there is a legitimate reason)
Possessing alcoholic beverages at any time, on public property
Possessing any weapons, including baseball bats and clubs
Fighting anywhere within the safety zones
Possessing aerosol paint, markers, or razor blades used for tagging
Approaching or communicating with occupants of vehicles
Harassing residents or bystanders
Making unnecessary loud noise at any time of the day or night
Using pagers, beepers, cellular phones in any public place for any purpose
Signaling to other persons to warn of the approach of law enforcement officers
Harboring or concealing another gang member to evade law enforcement officers
Using gang hand signs in public
Doing any activity outdoors between 10 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the safety zones
Using abusive, profane or vulgar language in public place
Giving false information to law enforcement officers

The "Triangle Safety Zone" starts at the intersection of Gateway North and Dyer and encompasses Gateway North on the West, Dyer on the east, and Hondo Pass on the north.

The "Patriot Safety Zone" encompasses Transmountain Drive on the South, Gateway North on the west, McCombs on the east, and Sean Haggerty on the north.

According to police records, the 27 members of the Bloods included in the petition regularly associate to commit organized criminal activity, including aggravated assaults, burglaries, robberies, weapon offenses, and drug related transactions in the designated areas. The Blood gang is responsible for over 100 criminal offenses in the last 4 years. in El Paso County.

To make this new gang injunction a reality, the County Attorney's Office worked closely together with the El Paso Police Department for more than a year to collect evidence against the 27 named defendants.

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez explained the request for a new gang injunction was filed in response to resident's complaints about increased gang activity in the area.

"This new gang injunction should send a strong message that gang criminal activity will not be tolerated in our community. By curbing gang activity in the area we are trying not only to reduce crime the same way it happened a few years back in the Segundo Barrio when we filed the first gang injunction against the Barrio Azteca. We are also trying to protect minors from being sucked into gangs and starting a path towards crime or drug addiction," County Attorney José R. Rodríguez said.

El Paso Police Chief Gregory Allen explained that this new gang injunction will give his officers more legal tools to combat the proliferation of gangs in Northeast El Paso.

"This injunction will be a great tool to help my officers combat the gang and their influence and crimes in the community," El Paso Police Chief Allen said.

According to police records, the Bloods are just one of several street gangs committing crimes in Northeast El Paso. For that reason the County Attorney's Office is already working with the El Paso Police Department to gather evidence that will be used in the upcoming months to file petitions for additional gang injunctions against members of other gangs.

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Bloods Gang Injunction Press Release.pdf

Members of the Bloods Included in the NE Gang Injunction.pdf

NE Gang Injunction Maps.pdf

How gang injunctions work.pdf

2003 Injunction Results Chart.pdf