For decades, the relationship between guns and gangs has been one of lethal efficiency. Firearms are more than just tools of violence; they are currency, status symbols, and instruments of power. In the world of gang culture, a gun is known by many names—“strap,” “toy,” “thang,” or “heat.” Take this typical social media exchange between […]

When it comes to gangs drugs aren’t just a source of income, they’re the lifestyle and the lifeblood of the entire operation. Gang members use and sell drugs. Few topics expose the raw underbelly of American criminal life like the intersection of gangs and drugs. From meth-infested motels to digital spaces, gangs have adapted their […]

The picturesque landscapes of Ventura County hides a troubling reality, beneath the surface where Hispanic gangs operate with surprising persistence. I’ve spent years investigating these groups, and the patterns remain disturbingly consistent. The Invisible Problem In 1988, when gang violence spilled into Westwood near University of California Los Angeles, the media suddenly “discovered” gangs. Funny […]

In 2019, the Southside Chiques gang consisted of approximately 171 members. Collectively the gang had been arrested 3,458 times. That’s an average of 20 arrests per gang member. One gang member had been arrested 76 times. Let’s pause there. Seventy-six arrests. That’s not petty theft and graffiti. Obviously that’s chronic criminal behavior and repeated disregard […]

Perched above the city of Santa Paula, California, large white letters spell out “SP.” To the average visitor, they stand for Santa Paula. But to the gang members who rule the streets below, SP means something darker: Snake Pit. That’s what the Santa Paula gangs call their hometown—infested, dangerous, and bad for your health. At […]

A Deep Dive into Ventura County’s Most Notorious Gang The presence of the Oxnard Colonia Chiques gang in Ventura County represents one of the most significant law enforcement challenges of the past several decades.  The city of Oxnard is known as the most dangerous city in Ventura County. Approximately 15% of the households do not […]

Gangs and violence are not just urban problems. They quietly infest small towns, transform neighborhoods, and shatter lives. Most discussions frame gangs and violence through sterile statistics or sensationalized headlines from distant metropolises. What is the truth? Gangs can thrive in small towns too. Santa Paula, California presents a perfect case study. Behind its charming […]

The Mexican Mafia’s Influence in the California Prison System The prison gang La Eme are present in both federal and California prisons. The difference between jail and prison is clear but often misunderstood. Jails are managed by local county sheriffs, while prisons are operated by the state. In California, the state prison system is run […]

What I Learned from Interviewing Gang Members After working for the FBI in Los Angeles for ten years, my transfer to the Ventura Resident Agency office provided a unique perspective on gang culture. In 2014, I received photographs of gang members identified by the Santa Paula Police Department. The similarity among these individuals was striking. […]