At the conclusion of a trial in December, the brothers were convicted of violating the Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organizations Act, along with committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, engaging in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, weapons charges and other offenses, according to the DOJ.
Puente 13 gang leader Rafael Munoz-Gonzalez, 42, of La Puente, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Wednesday, March 6, 2013.
Two brothers accused of leading the Mexican Mafia-affiliated Puente 13 street gang were sentenced this week to life sentences in prison as part of an ongoing investigation targeting the gang.
Longtime Puente 13 leader Rafael “Cisco” Munoz-Gonzalez, 42, of La Puente received his sentence Wednesday from U.S. District Court Judge A. Howard Matz, U.S. Department of Justice officials said in a written statement.
“Rafael Gonzalez was one of the most prominent Mexican Mafia members active on the street,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pelham said. The vast majority of Mexican Mafia members are currently behind bars.
Furthermore, Pelham said, Rafael Munoz-Gonzalez was not merely heading the 600-member street gang. “What he was trying to do with Puente was expand it.”
Cisco was determined to grow Puente 13 to grow beyond it’s claimed “turf” of La Puente, Hacienda Heights, Walnut and West Covina and unincorporated areas in between to include Bassett, Valinda and Azusa – which are already claimed by local street gangs.
“He was definitely going to war with Azusa (13),” Pelham said.
His brother, 38-year-old Cesar “Blanco” Munoz-Gonzalez of Rowland Heights, received his sentence Tuesday in federal court, officials said.
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