LA Gang Leaders Convicted Of Conspiracy

LOS ANGELES – Two ranking members of MS-13 in Los Angeles were convicted on organized crime charges, and they each face a decade in prison, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

According to prosecutors, the men directed drug dealing, gang violence and extortion of innocent business owners in the community.

Both men are considered senior members of Mara Salvatrucha, and one is the one-time shot-caller of all MS-13 in Los Angeles. José Balmore Romero, 49, aknown as “Porky,” and Erwin Alexander Melgar, 45, known as“Snoopy,” were each found guilty late Friday of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Melgar also was found guilty of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Prosecutors contend Balmore was the overall shot-caller for MS-13 in Los Angeles in 2013 and 2014, serving as the leader for the more than 20 cliques of MS-13. IBalmore oversaw MS-13’s drug trafficking activities and the collection of extortionate “taxes” and “rent,” some of which was then distributed to Mexican Mafia members, according to prosecutors.

"He also disseminated gang orders, including authorizing the initiation of new members and the assault of members who were in bad standing," the justice department said in a written statement.

Melgar was the shot-caller of the Normandie clique of MS-13 based in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles, according to prosecutors.

"In addition to narcotics trafficking and violent crimes, members of MS-13 also engaged in a wide range of criminal conduct that includes the extortion of street-level drug dealers and innocent business owners who were threatened with death if they did not make payments to the gang," federal prosecitors contend.

Balmore and Melgar are scheduled for sentencing in October, and they face sentences of 10 years to of life in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors have secured 28 convictions so far in this case, which targeted the leadership of MS-13 in Los Angeles.

The investigation into MS-13 was conducted by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs and was led by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department.