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	Press Releases

For Immediate Release
(print version)

Contact: Ingrid Wyatt
Public Information Officer
(951) 955-5626

D.A., U.S. ATTORNEY, SHERIFF TEAM UP TO FIGHT
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT GANGS

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, February 26, 2008: District Attorney Rod Pacheco along with United States Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien and Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff announced the creation of a new pact to fight illegal immigrant criminal street gangs. The announcement was made today at a news conference in Riverside.

"This first ever pact in Riverside County takes fighting gangs to the next level and casts a wider net by teaming up with our local and federal authorities," said District Attorney Rod Pacheco.

"The only solution to the gang problem plaguing Southern California is for all levels of government to join together," said United States Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. "With the assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, we will be able to incarcerate more gang members who have plagued our neighborhoods with their criminal activities."

On February 5, District Attorney Pacheco, U.S. Attorney O'Brien, and Sheriff Sniff formed a joint agreement to prosecute and deport criminal street gang members who are convicted felons and illegally enter the United States. Under Title 8, Section 1326 of the United States Code, it is a federal crime to reenter this country after previously being deported.

Among the terms of the agreement include appointing a deputy district attorney to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA). By this authority, the SAUSA will have the power to investigate and prosecute previously convicted felons in Riverside County who violate 8 U.S.C. section 1326 by reentering the country after being deported. Efforts will focus on targeting criminal street gang members and other violent criminals. The SAUSA will also work together with the Riverside County Gang Task Force.

Violent crimes associated with these criminal street gang members are human smuggling, drug trafficking, extortion, assassinations, racketeering, home invasion robberies, and murder-for-hire, including members of law enforcement.

The terms and conditions of the agreement are expected to last at least one year.