Monday, January 31, 2011


Calif. informer strips away gang secrecy

Prosecutors say they hope Mendoza will shed light on the gang lifestyle, including the pressure on young members

By Tracey Kaplan
San Jose Mercury News

SAN JOSE, Calif. — John Mendoza was once a Norteño king, a shot caller in the notorious street gang who commanded such grim respect from San Francisco to San Jose that he could order someone killed with a single phone call.

But today, Mendoza is known as a "rat" — the lowest form of scum in the gang world, who will never be safe on the streets again.

To Santa Clara County prosecutors, Mendoza is an informer, a tour guide to the violent, inner world of teardrop tattoos, homeboys and "missions" overseen from afar by "generals" in Pelican Bay, the state's super-maximum-security prison.

In a major gang trial in San Jose, Mendoza's testimony about the strange path — involving his dying wife — he took to becoming a snitch reveals much about the internecine world of Norteño and Sureño street and prison gangs. The stocky 40-year-old with black tattoos framing his bald skull sits in striking contrast to the usual professor or police officer experts who testify about gang culture.

"I didn't have no intention of doing it (informing)," Mendoza told a spellbound jury. "What pushed me is I knew the NF (Nuestra Familia) had closed the door on me."

In an attempt to play down Mendoza's testimony, defense attorneys pointed out that he never met the four men on trial on charges of murder, conspiracy or both, and knows little about their specific East Side street gang — El Hoyo Palmas.

But Palmas are Norteños who are loosely overseen by Mendoza's prison gang, Nuestra Familia, with turf from Oregon to Bakersfield.

Prosecutors say they hope Mendoza will shed light on the gang lifestyle, including the pressure on young members — like the ones on trial — to prove themselves by committing shocking acts of violence.

"Being a little more sinister — it's something that's looked up to," Mendoza said. He said gangsters would brag: ‰'Did you see how I cracked his head or how I stuck him?' They want it to be more messy or worse than the next guy."

Mendoza's explanations could help jurors understand why authorities allege that a hit squad of three — under the supervision of an older gang member — went on a four-month spree involving 11 shootings that left eight people wounded and four dead. It ended in early 2007 after a horrified San Jose police officer witnessed one of the killings.

Prosecutors say the hit squad was directed by Gene "Shorte" Sanchez and included Samuel "Rico" Castro, Michael "Negro" Espana and Orlando "Gangster" Rojas, who was 17 at the time but is being prosecuted as an adult.

In a gang at age 12
Mendoza himself became a gang member at age 12 in San Francisco. Learning to skillfully stab people in the heart and kidneys helped him rise to regimental commander.

Not a single juror nodded off as he broke down the quasi-military structure of Nuestra Familia, including the three generals in Pelican Bay, a general council, a group of advisers and a pool of gang members divided into three ranks. And jurors didn't seem to buy defense attorneys' arguments that Mendoza had a strong motive to lie on the stand — that he was only testifying in hopes of lenience from his sentencing judge.

Attorney Chuck Smith was critical of Mendoza's credibility as an expert. In a previous trial, Smith said, Mendoza testified that the phrase "Debbie and her dogs" was code for contraband when it turned out it was really about someone named Debbie and her dogs.

Bad news list
It was in 2004, after Mendoza was arrested in Campbell on charges including conspiracy to sell drugs and gang enhancements, that it all went wrong.

When he entered the Santa Clara County jail system — facing a possible 155 years to life with gang enhancements — he had achieved the rank of "overall authority" over all the Norteños in both county jails. He ordered beatings or worse on anyone on the gang's "bad news list."

But he had one vulnerable spot: His wife was dying of lupus and he desperately wanted to be with her. So, in a misstep he knew might come back to haunt him, Mendoza soothed his wife by telling her he'd get out of jail by ratting out his gang.

Those conversations were recorded by jail authorities and given to his co-defendants, who spread the deadly word that Mendoza was a snitch. The next time he came out of his cell for a shower, he said, inmates tipped over a cart carrying a portable phone, creating a loud crash to signal their fury.

But despite pressure from law enforcement, he refused to "put on the brown shirt," the color of the jail jumpsuit worn by informers in protective custody.

"My heart was still with NF," said Mendoza, who has "Nuestra Familia" tattooed on the back of his bald skull.

Stripped of his rank, he could not win back the gang's trust. Sounding more like a displaced middle manager than a violent three-striker, he told the jury: "I understand how it works. We're all expendable." When Mendoza became a rat, he said it was only because he felt hunted, cornered and alone.

"They put the youngest Norteño in there to spear (kill) me," he said.

Even if Mendoza is ever released, he'll never be safe, said Bill Valentine, a former Nevada prison official and author of "The Gang Intelligence Manual." "In the NF, the only way you get out is you get killed," he said. "They'll track him to the ends of the earth."

Thursday, January 27, 2011


I'm always searching for tools that make our jobs a little easier. I came across this Garrett hand held metal detector. I have seen this in action, and despite its relativity small size, it is very effective on cell and bunk searches.
It activates on metal when concealed in mattresses and plastic containers. It works great during clothed body searches. It can be purchased with a nylon case, that can be added to your duty belt.
I would love to see our department field test this item and possibly put it on the line for our staff.

If you would like to see this item, simply go onto EBay and search for "hand held metal detector", its available for about $150.00.

Have a Safe 8

January 21, 2011

Re: Newton v. Schwarzenegger, No C 09-5887

Dear Plaintiffs and Consenters:

This purpose of this letter is to inform you of the District Court’s decision in the Newton v. Schwarzenegger, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) case.

On January 13, 2011, Judge Vaughn R. Walker heard the parties’ arguments in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco. On January 14, 2011, the Court issued its decision. Order_and_Judgment_Dated_January_14_2011.pdf

On the positive side, we were successful in overcoming the Defendants’ 11th Amendment immunity arguments and the Court reached the merits of the case, i.e. whether Defendants’ failed to comply with the FLSA by not paying Plaintiff’s and Contester’s for all the non overtime hours they worked in pay periods in which they worked overtime.

Unfortunately, in deciding the case, the Court followed the California Supreme Court’s recent decision in Professional Engineers in California Government v. Schwarzenegger, which holds that “the furlough program is a reduction in Plaintiffs’ wages for all hours worked.” The court then determined that there was no FLSA violation as “Plaintiffs are compensated for all time worked, and because that compensation exceeds federal minimum standards, Plaintiffs’ claim for violation of FLSA fails.” The Court then granted Defendants motion for summary judgment.

Your legal team is currently reviewing the Court’s decision and applicable law to determine what options are available.

January 21, 2011

Re: Newton v. Schwarzenegger, No C 09-5887

Dear Plaintiffs and Consenters:

This purpose of this letter is to inform you of the District Court’s decision in the Newton v. Schwarzenegger, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) case.

On January 13, 2011, Judge Vaughn R. Walker heard the parties’ arguments in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco. On January 14, 2011, the Court issued its decision. Order_and_Judgment_Dated_January_14_2011.pdf

On the positive side, we were successful in overcoming the Defendants’ 11th Amendment immunity arguments and the Court reached the merits of the case, i.e. whether Defendants’ failed to comply with the FLSA by not paying Plaintiff’s and Contester’s for all the non overtime hours they worked in pay periods in which they worked overtime.

Unfortunately, in deciding the case, the Court followed the California Supreme Court’s recent decision in Professional Engineers in California Government v. Schwarzenegger, which holds that “the furlough program is a reduction in Plaintiffs’ wages for all hours worked.” The court then determined that there was no FLSA violation as “Plaintiffs are compensated for all time worked, and because that compensation exceeds federal minimum standards, Plaintiffs’ claim for violation of FLSA fails.” The Court then granted Defendants motion for summary judgment.

Your legal team is currently reviewing the Court’s decision and applicable law to determine what options are available.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Drug-smuggling rampant at Corcoran State Prison

A recent drug-smuggling arrest at California State Prison, Corcoran marks the fourth time this month that someone has tried to sneak narcotics into the facilities, authorities said.

The latest arrest came on Friday as a result of an ongoing investigation by the prison's investigative services unit. The unit served a search warrant on April Elaine Frank, a Citrus Heights resident, when she arrived that afternoon to visit an inmate.

Frank apparently admitted her actions to investigators once confronted and turned over the contraband, which included 61 grams of marijuana, 29.3 grams of heroin and 87.6 grams of tobacco.

Prison spokeswoman Teresa Cisneros said the inmate has been placed in administrative segregation pending further investigation. Prison officials will continue to monitor inmate phone calls to learn of impending drug or other illegal activity.

The inmate, who was not identified, could be charged in the future with conspiracy to distribute narcotics inside the facility.

Frank, 21, was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of conspiring to commit a crime, furnishing marijuana and other drug-related charges. She remains at the Kings County Jail with her bail set at $370,000.

Frank's arrest was not the first at the prison or its adjacent Substance Abuse Treatment Facility this month. Cisneros said these arrests are an "unfortunately common" issue for state prisons.

Prison officials throughout California have pointed to a rise in contraband smuggling in recent years, with cell phones quickly becoming the top illicit commodity.

Known as "drug mules," smugglers are commonly recruited friends, family members and other loved ones of inmates. They are convinced to break the law for the inmate's benefit and suffer severe penalties if caught for bringing narcotics into a state institution.

Authorities say inmates frequently target young and elderly women.

The first arrest this month was on Jan. 1, when a Lemoore woman allegedly tried to sneak heroin into the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility.

Rachell Nicole Lowery was arrested in connection with the case and later posted bail of $430,000.

Days later, a Visalia woman was taken into custody as she tried to slip into the institution with an undetermined quantity of marijuana. Alicia Ruiz, 47, was briefly booked into the Kings County Jail and has since been released.

But perhaps the most notable case came on Jan. 4. Employees received an anonymous note saying an inmate might be assaulted in one part of the prison where contraband could also be found.

Investigators swept through the building and came across one employee - Rebecca Romero - acting in a suspicious manner, Cisneros said.

Romero, an office technician, apparently refused to allow correctional officers to search her work area. When they pushed the issue, she handed over two bindles of marijuana and cell phone she'd brought in - possibly to sell to an inmate.

Romero was booked on suspicion of supplying a controlled substance, possession of drugs within a jail, conspiring to commit a crime and other allegations.

She has since been released from custody and still maintains her status as an employee, though she is no longer allowed inside the prison's secure perimeter, Cisneros said.

"We haven't had an arrest like this in a few months," Cisneros said. "Unfortunately, we have to deal with these kinds of cases more than we'd like to."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Correctional Officers Attacked by Inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison

Prison on lockdown to ensure staff safety and facilitate investigation

Crescent City – Two Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) inmates attacked three correctional officers today, Jan. 11. The officers, ages 37, 43 and 45, were treated at a local hospital for lacerations and puncture wounds and released.

“Our foremost concern is for the safety and well-being of our dedicated staff,” said PBSP Warden Gregory Lewis. “Our officers’ injuries are not life-threatening and we are glad they were discharged from the hospital today. Our thoughts and prayers are with them for a speedy recovery.”

The attack occurred about 9:25 a.m. when two inmates rushed the officers with prison-made weapons while being released into the exercise yard. Custody staff in the immediate area responded and stopped the attack with physical force and batons. Two weapons were recovered.

At least two inmates have been identified as suspects. One inmate, age 20, is serving a 50-year sentence from Los Angeles County for first-degree murder. He has been in prison since Oct. 26, 2009. The second suspect, age 36, is serving 60 years for carjacking and making terrorist threats. He also was convicted in Los Angeles County and has been in prison since Feb. 7, 1997.

The incident is being investigated by the Investigative Services Unit at PBSP and agents from the Office of the Inspector General’s Bureau of Independent Review. An investigator from the Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office is participating in the investigation.

PBSP remains locked down until further notice. The institution will issue notification if visiting for this weekend needs to be cancelled.

Pelican Bay State Prison houses California’s most serious criminal offenders in a secure, safe, and disciplined institutional setting. The prison houses maximum-security inmates in a general population setting and has a Security Housing Unit (SHU) for inmates with serious management concerns, validated prison gang members and violent maximum-security inmates. The prison, which opened in 1989, provides academic education programs, houses 3,200 inmates and employs 1,500 people.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2011
Contact: Terry Thornton
(916) 445-4950

Thursday, January 6, 2011

RIP ROB, YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US

Susanville Police Department's Photos - Personnel

Photo 2 of 2 Back to Album · Susanville Police Department's Photos · Susanville Police Department's Profile

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Begining and the end

I would like to say thank you to the ones that served for the past three years. These were the hardest part of our careers. No contract and fighting with the state did not make their jobs easy. Thank you Lori, Bollie, Jay, Christy, Kenny, Randy. You guys never stopped fighting. I did not mention the rest, because I never thought they bothered to do anything. A couple were not part of the union, but part of a factor that helped split our members at CCC. I would have hoped that being off for three years would have taught some, but I do not think so. The same ol dictatorship is already starting. And to have a couple of the newly board members tell the old board members that they will not be used because they backed the past president? Don't be surprised when we do a recall on you guys. You should be asking for all to help. Numbers are the answer, not diversity. So here we are with our "new board" already making enemies. Our new president already not saying the field rep. is not needed. Wow. Have fun fighting your battles by yourself. If you know how. Oh thats right, you have your two rats to help you. Ha Ha Ha. God help us for the next three years. Time will tell. I have never written on this site, but plan on doing so now. There was no reason to. But I think there will be plenty of reason now. We will not allow you guys to bullie us over and blow our bridge with management as you have done in the past. See you on Second watch brothers.

SACARAMENTO, CA (CBS) - A California inmate is doing 22 years for voluntary manslaughter, but is keeping in touch with family the most public way possible - Facebook.

Inmate Frederick Garner goes by Brotherbo Garner on the social networking site Facebook.

For weeks Garner has been posting messages and pictures possibly from inside his cell.

CBS called the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to tip them about this particular inmate. Terry Thornton said after the call they launched an investigation.

They've found printouts of Garner's postings inside prison, and believe someone mailed him what he wrote online.

"On the surface it looks pretty harmless," Thornton said. "But knowing that so many inmates are involved in gangs it's possible these could be coded messages."

Behind bars, cell phones are becoming the most sought after contraband. They are normally smuggled in by cereal boxes, shoes or even a deck of cards.

In 2010, the department has confiscated more than 9,000 cell phones using dogs to sniff them out.

"This is very serious and people's lives can be at stake, public safety is at stake," Thornton said.

Inmates have been known to use the phones to commit more crimes like drug trafficking or even murder. The inmates usually work to keep it very secret.