Five Members Of Salinas Based “Murder Squad” Sentenced To A Combined 161 Years In Prison For 2015 2018 Killing Spree

SAN JOSE - Five members of the self-proclaimed "Murder Squad," a crew of Salinas-based Norteño criminal street gang members falling under the Monterey County Regiment Enterprise affiliated with the Nuestra Familia prison gang, were sentenced to a combined 161 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. The sentences were handed down by the Hon. Beth Labson Freeman, U.S. District Judge.

The "Murder Squad" conducted more than a dozen "hunts," tracking and shooting dozens of Salinas residents whom they perceived to be members of a rival gang for reasons as vague as they were Hispanic, bald, or wearing blue. The squad would often use military-style tactics, traveling in a convoy of vehicles with a designated shooter vehicle and a designated security/spotter vehicle, all of which were in constant communication via conference call. The security/spotter vehicles would patrol the streets, searching for potential targets. Once a target or targets were spotted, the security/spotter vehicle would transmit the location so that the shooters in the shooter vehicle could drive up, exit, fire at the victims until their magazines were empty, and speed away. The security/spotter vehicle would follow behind, ready to distract or intercept law enforcement and allow the shooters to escape.

Between 2015 and 2018, 11 people were killed during these hunts. Another 17 people were shot at but survived. Most of the victims were not actually members of a rival gang. Some of the victims were not the intended target at all but were nevertheless hit in the crossfire. Several of the murders began when the members of the "Murder Squad" were gathered at a house to remember a recently deceased friend or loved one, then decided to go hunting as a way to commemorate the decedent's memory and/or lift their spirits. Each additional "body" increased a defendant's status and prestige within the enterprise.

"The 'Murder Squad' killed for sport, terrorizing the city of Salinas and forever altering the lives of so many innocent members of our community," said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. "Their conduct is reprehensible. Thanks to the strong collaboration between federal and state law enforcement over the course of many years, these men will rightfully spend the next few decades of their lives in prison."

"This sentencing is a significant blow to members of the Norteño and CRIP criminal street gangs responsible for the ruthless murder of at least 11 individuals, and attempted murder of 17 individuals, in the City of Salinas," said HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. "The indiscriminate killing demonstrates why HSI's mission to protect public safety is so critical and illustrates our agents' commitment to ensuring those that engage in senseless murder will be held accountable. We appreciate the work of HSI agents together with Salinas Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of California, FBI, and the Monterey County District Attorney's Office in bringing these murderers to justice."

All five defendants pleaded guilty on May 7, 2024, to one count of racketeering conspiracy in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1962(d) and one count of conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5).

Siaki Tavale, 27, also known as "Shocky" or "Gunner," was sentenced to 41 years in prison; John Magat, 37, also known as "Romeo," was sentenced to 37 years in prison; Anthony Valdez, 27, also known as "Hitter" or "Tony Boronda," was sentenced to 31 years in prison; Anelu Tavale, 28, also known as "Angel," was sentenced to 27 years in prison; and Mark Anthony Garcia, 33, also known as "Tony from Santa Rita," was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Each of the defendants also was ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release that will begin upon completion of the defendant's prison term.

The defendants were immediately remanded into custody to begin serving their sentences.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mari Overbeck and George Hageman are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Nina Burney. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI and the Salinas Police Department.