Mexican Mafia Member Extradited
from Mexico Sentenced to Life in Prison
United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt
announced today that United States District Court Judge
Dana
M. Sabraw sentenced defendant Juvenal Vega-Soto to
a term of life in prison. Vega-Soto, a member of the
violent Hispanic gang known as the Mexican Mafia, or “La
Eme,” was extradited from Mexico to the United
States to face the charge in this case. Vega-Soto was
convicted of participating in a conspiracy to distribute
methamphetamine following a jury trial on April 4,
2008.
Seven other members and associates of
the Mexican Mafia were similarly sentenced to life
terms of
imprisonment by Judge Sabraw on March 20, 2008, based
on their convictions for participating in a federal
racketeering conspiracy.
United States Attorney Hewitt said, “The
Mexican Mafia is a criminal organization that has operated
for years in Southern California and has been a poison
to our community. The members and associates of the
Mexican Mafia have committed countless crimes of violence
and have engaged in widespread illegal drug
activities. The sentence of life imprisonment imposed
on Mexican Mafia member Juvenal Vega-Soto
appropriately reflected the seriousness of his conduct.”
U.S. Attorney Hewitt praised the Organized
Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF)
for
the coordinated team effort in this case. The OCDETF
program was created to consolidate and utilize all
law
enforcement resources in this country’s battle
against major drug trafficking.
DEFENDANT Case Number: 06cr1242-DMS
Juvenal Vega-Soto
SUMMARY OF CHARGE
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1)
- Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Sheriff’s Office
North County Regional Gang Task Force
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Carlsbad Police Department
Escondido Police Department
U.S. Bureau of Prisons
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Oceanside Police Department
Drug Enforcement Administration - Los Angeles and Riverside
Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement - Los Angeles and Riverside
U.S. Marshals Service
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
