Deadly Contra Costa Gang War: Last 2 Defendants Convicted

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A years-long effort by the Concord Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office to end a deadly gang war between the Nortenos and Surenos has concluded with the convictions of the last two of 18 defendants in Operation Omega Red, the DA's Office announced.

Jesse "Manos" Loyola and Armando "Mando" Amaro pleaded no contest Wednesday to attempted murder with firearm use and committing the crimes for the benefit of the Norteno gang.

Amaro, who was considered among the most dangerous of those apprehended in Operation Omega Red, was sentenced to 35 years in prison, as was Thomas "Lil T" Leon, DA's Office Spokesman Scott Alonso said in a news release.

Loyola was also among the most violent offenders prosecuted in the case and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Alonso said.

Operation Omega Red was formed in response to 11 shootings that took place between June 2015 and July 2016 in the Central and Eastern parts of Contra Costa County. The shootings, seven of which were fatal, were believed to be between the dueling Nortenos and Surenos (north and south).

Four of the shooting deaths occurred on Highway 4, two happened in Concord and one in Bay Point.

"We focused our efforts on the 'violence drivers,' the individuals who were committing the most serious acts of violence and putting the community in the greatest danger," said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

The investigation began in May 2016 and lasted just under three months, resulting in the arrests of more than 20 people. Of those, 15 gang members and three associates of gang members were prosecuted on charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, drug sales, witness retaliation and firearms crimes.

Since the initial Operation Omega Red arrests in August 2016, there has been one homicide on Highway 4 which was not gang-related, and one gang-related homicide in the city of Concord, authorities say.

"This drastic reduction from seven gang-driven homicides in under one year to only one in the last three years is a testament to the effectiveness of this kind of targeted law enforcement action and the power of police partnerships across the county," said Concord police Chief Guy Swanger.