Street Gang Members In The Military

[skyrider 0]

BY: Dennis Behreandt
Source: thenewamerican.com


US - Despite efforts to stop them, criminal street gangs have been active inside the U.S. military. And, according to one recent report, the situation has gotten much worse.
In 2006, Jeffrey Stoleson, a sergeant in the Army Reserve then in Iraq, described an unbelievable scene to reporter Frank Main of the Chicago Sun-Times. Based on Stoleson's account, and the many pictures he had taken, Main wrote: "In a storage yard in Taji, about 18 miles north of Baghdad, dozens of tanks were vandalized with painted gang signs.... Much of the graffiti was by Chicago based gangs," according to Stoleson.

Since then, Congress has banned members of the military from being in street gangs, and the Defense Department put the ban in its rulebooks last November. But that hasn't slowed down the apparent growth of gang activity inside the military. According to Stoleson and others, it has only gotten worse.

Stoleson, described by Main as a "Wisconsin corrections officer" when not serving as a sergeant with the National Guard, returned home from his latest tour in Iraq in January, where he worked with the Army to set up a prison facility near Baghdad. As before, he said the signs of gang activity were all around.

"I saw Maniac Latin Disciples graffiti out of Chicago," he told Main. According to Main's report, Stoleson also saw "a lot of graffiti for Texas and California gangs, as well as Mexican drug cartels."

An unnamed Chicago Police officer, who Main says "retired from the regular Army and was recently on a tour of Afghanistan in the Army Reserve" echoed Stoleson's comments. Noting that Bagram Air Base was covered in Chicago gang graffiti, the officer said the problem "seems bigger now."

The Police officer, who described gang activity in the military as "scary," told the Sun-Times that "he has arrested high-level gang members who have served in the military and kept the 'infantryman's bible' - called the FM 7-8 - in their homes." That book, Main notes, "describes how to run for cover [and] fire a weapon tactically."

But gang members with military experience often have more to rely on than a printed "how-to" manual for warfare. "Gang members are coming home now with one or two tours," Stoleson said. "Some were on the field of battle."

Once back on the streets domestically, militarized gangsters can present an even greater threat to civilians and law-enforcement personnel.

A tragic and deadly example of the potential danger posed by militarized gang members is the ambush of police officers in Ceres, California, in 2005. Hoping to lure officers into his trap, at approximately 8 p.m. on January 9 of that year, Lance Corporal Andres Raya fired his assault rifle in front of a liquor store. Going inside the store, he told the clerk that he had just been shot at, and asked that the police be called. Raya then waited for the police to arrive. He then shot and killed police Sergeant Howard Stevenson, and seriously wounded officer Sam Ryno. Stevenson's death, in particular, was essentially an execution. Having wounded the officer, Raya ran to him and ended his life with two shots in the back of the head.

It was later determined that Raya was a gang member. A January 14, 2005 press release from the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department noted: "Authorities have discovered information during the investigation into the Ceres Police Shooting that shows Andres Raya was a Norteño gang member." They also discovered a video tape belonging to Raya that had been seized on December 28 following a burglary at the Ceres High School. According to the Sheriff's Department: "The videotape shows Raya smoking what appears to be marijuana in several different clips, 'throwing' gang signs, and showing gang graffiti while bragging that he wrote it. It also showed a United States flag that had been cut up and arranged on the high school gymnasium floor to spell out 'F... Bush'."

Raya's attack on police in Ceres was exceptional for its violence, but militarized gang members have been involved in several crimes. Sun-Times reporter Frank Main said that another unnamed Chicago police officer "who searches homes for drugs and guns, said gang members targeted by his team are sometimes current or former members of the armed forces." That officer told Main: "We recently arrested a guy in the reserves for crack [cocaine]. He was a gang-banger."

In fact, as recently as 2007, a multi-agency federal law enforcement task force reported that some gang members known to have committed crimes were being recruited. The report titled "Gang-Related Activity in the US Armed Forces Increasing," dated January 12, 2007 and prepared by the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC) found that "US criminal courts have allowed gang members to enter the service as an alternative to incarceration. Several incidences wherein gang members have been recruited into the armed services while facing criminal charges or on probation or parole have been documented."

In one such case, the report found that in 2005 "a Latin King member was allegedly recruited into the Army at a Brooklyn, New York courthouse while awaiting trial for assaulting a New York police officer with a razor."

While gang members make up only a fraction of military personnel, the 2007 NGIC report found that their presence causes an increase in crime, and that "Gang incidents involving active duty personnel on US military bases nationwide include drive-by shootings, drug distribution, weapons violations, domestic disturbances, vandalism, assaults, extortion, and money laundering."

Among the most disconcerting "operations" carried out by gang members in the military involve the theft and trafficking of weapons. In 2006, for instance, "an incarcerated US Army soldier and active gang member identified 60 to 70 gang-affiliated military personnel in his unit allegedly involved in the theft and sale of military equipment and weapons. The solider reported that many of the military personnel in charge of ammunition and grenade distribution are sergeants who are active gang members. The soldier also reported that military commanders were aware of the actions of these gang-affiliated personnel."

That information resembled an interview conducted by authorities one month earlier in which "a former Marine and Gangster Disciple member incarcerated in Colorado detailed how easily soldiers - many of whom were gang members - stole military weapons and equipment and used them on the streets of US cities or sold them to civilian gang members."

Similarly, the NGIC report noted that in August of 2005 "a US soldier in San Antonio was suspected of supplying arms - including hand grenades and bullet-proof vests - to the Texas Mexican Mafia (Mexikanemi), according to uncorroborated but reliable FBI source information."

While uncorroborated, that alleged trafficking is similar to other cases in which trafficking in arms and equipment stolen from the military did occur. In one outrageous case in 2005, an "associate Blood member" was working as a military police officer at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming when he "was charged with theft of body armor stolen from the base." Air Force investigators were able to purchase "vests from gang members following the subject's arrest for the armed robbery of several gas stations located off base."

Since then, while gang members are officially banned from duty, the 2009 National Gang Threat Assessment [PDF] produced by the NGIC along with the National Drug Intelligence Center supports the contention that the gang threat in the military has not subsided, or has gotten worse. According to that report:

Members of nearly every major street gang as well as some prison gangs and OMGs [Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs] have been identified on both domestic and international military installations. Deployments have resulted in gang members among service members and/or dependents on or near overseas bases. Additionally, military transfers have resulted in gang members, both service members and dependents/relatives, moving to new areas and establishing a gang presence.

In closing its look at gang members in the military, the NGIC warns, ominously: "While the number of gang members trained by the military is unknown, the threat that they pose ... is potentially significant...."

[kallend 1,672]

Old news.

articles.sfgate.com/2006-10-01/opinion/17315471_1_recruits-criminal-records-military

www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2593568;search_string=army recruiting;#2593568

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[quade 3]

A phrase I always love:

Quote

While gang members make up only a fraction of military personnel...

Is that 1/1,000,000 or 99/100?

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[pbwing 0]

Is this a case of the military not doing their due diligence to check the backgrounds of their recruits? Or are they 'looking the other way' just to keep enrolment levels up? I'm guessing it's more the latter...

It would seem unavoidable that you have people who are going to use their military experience and knowledge against authority and government after their service. Just look at McVeigh and Nicols as shining examples of that.

As this article suggests, I would think the biggest issue is the organized actions to funnel weapons, ammunition and equipment out of the military and onto the streets. The OP points to lots of studys that point to gang activity in the military. I hope they come with recommendations on how best to stop it...

[skyrider 0]

Quote

Old news.

articles.sfgate.com/2006-10-01/opinion/17315471_1_recruits-criminal-records-military

www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2593568;search_string=army recruiting;#2593568

I'll be sure to check with you when a artical is in a new News paper, to make sure it hasn't been covered yet!

[masterrig 1]

The military got in a bind for troops and for some time, was accepting every 'warm body' willing to sign on the dotted line to fill ranks. I think, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer. Maybe, we should re-instate the draft!


Chuck

[skyrider 0]

Quote

Is this a case of the military not doing their due diligence to check the backgrounds of their recruits? Or are they 'looking the other way' just to keep enrolment levels up? I'm guessing it's more the latter...

It would seem unavoidable that you have people who are going to use their military experience and knowledge against authority and government after their service. Just look at McVeigh and Nicols as shining examples of that.

As this article suggests, I would think the biggest issue is the organized actions to funnel weapons, ammunition and equipment out of the military and onto the streets. The OP points to lots of studys that point to gang activity in the military. I hope they come with recommendations on how best to stop it...

Even though I don;t consider them Gangs, the Hells Angels, Outlaws, bandito's etc. have right from their very beginnings been X military...but to be a member of them, You "can't" be in the military at the time.....So bike clubs really don;t belong in that artical!

[skyrider 0]

Quote

The military got in a bind for troops and for some time, was accepting every 'warm body' willing to sign on the dotted line to fill ranks. I think, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer. Maybe, we should re-instate the draft!


Chuck

That is exactly the oppisit of what they get with the draft!

I remember when the draft ended, the quility of the soldiers instantly went up, they were getting warm bodies that "wanted" to fight for their country...not those that were just too stupid to get out of it!

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

The military got in a bind for troops and for some time, was accepting every 'warm body' willing to sign on the dotted line to fill ranks. I think, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer. Maybe, we should re-instate the draft!


Chuck

The same draft that gave people a choice of jail or the military?

Tighten the standards up - yes.

Draft - no.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[masterrig 1]

You left one out... 'Run to Canada'! later, you get amnesty from the Pres.!

All this 'anti draft' stuff, confuses me. People want all the wonderful things this country offers but don't want to serve to protect their country. In other countries, military service is mandatory for both men and women! We're just so damned 'spoiled' in this country, with a 'Let somebody else do it... I ain't gonna'! attitude. they'd rather sit-back and bellyache and moan about how tough they have it.


Chuck

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

The military got in a bind for troops and for some time, was accepting every 'warm body' willing to sign on the dotted line to fill ranks. I think, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer. Maybe, we should re-instate the draft!


Chuck

That is exactly the oppisit of what they get with the draft!

I remember when the draft ended, the quility of the soldiers instantly went up, they were getting warm bodies that "wanted" to fight for their country...not those that were just too stupid to get out of it!

Like I said, they need to look closer at potential recruits. Gang tatoos should be a dead give-away. I remember too, the end of the draft. They held a 'lottery' I drew #358. Then too, when the pressure is on recruiters, they'll sign anyone. When volunteer numbers drop, what do they do? It's a bit of a 'Catch-22'.


Chuck

[pbwing 0]

Quote

Even though I don;t consider them Gangs, the Hells Angels, Outlaws, bandito's etc. have right from their very beginnings been X military...but to be a member of them, You "can't" be in the military at the time.....So bike clubs really don;t belong in that artical!

I don't think it really matters what the origins are. In the context of the article, if people are leaving the military and using the tactics learned in the military against government, then it is irrelevant what gang they belong to - Bloods or Bandidos.

Besides, up where I live, biker gangs are far more violent, criminal and anti police than most if not all of the other gangs. I guess it is a matter of perspective.

This article is written about street gangs. I'm guessing that the same kind of article could be written but substitute biker gang for street gang.

[Amazon 7]

Quote

You left one out... 'Run to Canada'! later, you get amnesty from the Pres.!

All this 'anti draft' stuff, confuses me. People want all the wonderful things this country offers but don't want to serve to protect their country. In other countries, military service is mandatory for both men and women! We're just so damned 'spoiled' in this country, with a 'Let somebody else do it... I ain't gonna'! attitude. they'd rather sit-back and bellyache and moan about how tough they have it.


Chuck

+1 and then some

[Andy9o8 0]

Quote

You left one out... 'Run to Canada'! later, you get amnesty from the Pres.!

All this 'anti draft' stuff, confuses me. People want all the wonderful things this country offers but don't want to serve to protect their country. In other countries, military service is mandatory for both men and women! We're just so damned 'spoiled' in this country, with a 'Let somebody else do it... I ain't gonna'! attitude. they'd rather sit-back and bellyache and moan about how tough they have it. Chuck

You and I are 'Nam-era kids, Chuck. This is a very old debate, isn't it?

Look, in principle, I can get behind a mandatory, gender-neutral public service requirement. But the problem with military conscription in the US is that the US government (regardless of political party) doesn't just use its military for true "defense", it also uses a huge amount of its military to wage bullshit foreign wars and interventions that have little to do with "defense", and much to do with projection of power for power's sake (read: inter-continental dick-swinging) and exploitation of other countries' people and resources. I'll be damned if I'll support a draft to squander our kids' lives to that kind of shit any more.

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

You left one out... 'Run to Canada'! later, you get amnesty from the Pres.!

All this 'anti draft' stuff, confuses me. People want all the wonderful things this country offers but don't want to serve to protect their country. In other countries, military service is mandatory for both men and women! We're just so damned 'spoiled' in this country, with a 'Let somebody else do it... I ain't gonna'! attitude. they'd rather sit-back and bellyache and moan about how tough they have it. Chuck

You and I are 'Nam-era kids, Chuck. This is a very old debate, isn't it?

Look, in principle, I can get behind a mandatory, gender-neutral public service requirement. But the problem with military conscription in the US is that the US government (regardless of political party) doesn't just use its military for true "defense", it also uses a huge amount of its military to wage bullshit foreign wars and interventions that have little to do with "defense", and much to do with projection of power for power's sake (read: inter-continental dick-swinging) and exploitation of other countries' people and resources. I'll be damned if I'll support a draft to squander our kids' lives to that kind of shit any more.

I sure see your point. Something I'd really like to know is, when did God come-down and state that the U.S.A. was to police the world? Don't get me wrong, I am in no way, in favor of the senseless killing of our young men and women. I saw too much of that in the '60's and '70's. It was on the 6:00 news, every night. There comes a time when we actually do, have to stand-up and defend our country. I don't think, we've really seen an occasion like that since WW-II. When we really do need 'troops'... how do we get them?


Chuck

[Andy9o8 0]

Quote

When we really do need 'troops'... how do we get them?

Well, as we know, one president's "need" is another president's "want", you know?
OK: really really need? I suppose try to do it via volunteers if we can; otherwise I guess we have to draft them. But in my book, it has to be pretty fucking bad before we go and do that.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer.

Some of the criminal street gangs are looking long range and taking kids when they're associating in the 8-10yr old range and keeping them clean with no ink and no or a very minor record. This is with the explicit goal of getting them in the military to be able to come back and train gang members or gain access to hardware. There have been rumors about the same in regards to prison guards!

Some familiar names have popped up in regards to the above, like Latin Kings as well as various white supremacy gangs.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

, the military needs to scrutinize potential troops a tad closer.

Some of the criminal street gangs are looking long range and taking kids when they're associating in the 8-10yr old range and keeping them clean with no ink and no or a very minor record. This is with the explicit goal of getting them in the military to be able to come back and train gang members or gain access to hardware. There have been rumors about the same in regards to prison guards!

Some familiar names have popped up in regards to the above, like Latin Kings as well as various white supremacy gangs.

Thanks, Dave! I've read and heard where the 'young ones' are more reckless and real quick to kill.


Chuck

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

When we really do need 'troops'... how do we get them?

Well, as we know, one president's "need" is another president's "want", you know?
OK: really really need? I suppose try to do it via volunteers if we can; otherwise I guess we have to draft them. But in my book, it has to be pretty fucking bad before we go and do that.

You bet!


Chuck