Las Cruces, NM (KKOB) – Federal authorities in New Mexico announcing the conclusion of a decades long investigation and prosecution of members of a well known New Mexico prison gang for crimes dating back to the 1980 state prison riot. The U.S Attorney’s Office announced the conclusion of the federal prosecution of members belonging to Sindicato de Nuevo Mexico or SNM, prison gang, following the conclusion of recent sentencing hearings. The investigation and subsequent litigation resulted in state and federal charges against 178 members and associates of the prison gang.
According to the USAO for New Mexico, Sindicato de Nuevo Mexico originated within the state prison system following the 1980 prison riot. The gang functioned as a violent racketeering enterprise operating both inside correctional facilities and in communities throughout New Mexico.
The gang was charged with several murders, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and witness intimidation and prosecutors filed charges under the RICO Act in order to solve decades of violent crimes.
