SALINAS – Five members of the self-proclaimed “Murder Squad,” a crew of Salinas-based Norteño gang members, have been sentenced to a combined 161 years in prison for gunning down 11 people between 2015 and 2018, according to authorities.
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Over the course of more than a dozen “hunts,” the squad targeted and shot Salinas residents they believed to be rival gang members, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release. In some cases, the victims were singled out simply because they were Latino, bald or wearing blue.
The squad used military-style tactics, traveling in a convoy with designated spotter and shooter vehicles, according to authorities. Occupants of the first vehicle would identify a target and occupants of the second vehicle would open fire on the target.
Eleven people were killed during these hunts between 2015 and 2018, authorities said, adding that another 17 people were shot at but survived. Most of the victims were not rival gang members and some were not targets but were struck by stray gunfire.
The murders started as a way to commemorate a recently deceased friend or loved one, according to authorities. Each kill also served to increase a member’s status and prestige within the gang.
“The ‘Murder Squad’ killed for sport, terrorizing the city of Salinas and forever altering the lives of so many innocent members of our community,” U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey said.
“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,” he said.
On May 7, the members pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering.
Siaki Tavale, 27, was sentenced to 41 years; John Magat, 37, was sentenced to 37 years; Anthony Valdez, 27, was sentenced to 31 years; Anelu Tavale, 28, was sentenced to 27 years; and Mark Anthony Garcia, 33, was sentenced to 25 years.
They were also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release once their prison terms are completed.