The case against the Vineland Boys gang members was announced at a press conference this afternoon by United States Attorney Debra Wong Yang, DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Briane Grey, Burbank Police Chief Thomas Hoefel and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. The drug conspiracy count alleges that the gang was distributing drugs in the Los Angeles area, but also in Hawaii and Indiana. Many of the defendants are also accused in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. The indictment also alleges several weapons and money laundering charges. A total of seven defendants are linked to four murders, and those seven defendants are eligible for the death penalty. In addition to the two RICO counts, the 56-count indictment alleges six counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering and the murder of a police officer in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also details an arrangement the gang made with the Mexican Mafia, under which the gang agreed to pay "taxes" on its drug trafficking activities. The gang, which is made up of several cliques, exercises control in parts of Burbank, North Hollywood, Sun Valley and Palmdale. The RICO and RICO conspiracy charges outline the establishment of the gang and how it grew in power, eventually developing a reputation as one of the most violent street gangs in the San Fernando Valley. The indictment accuses a total of 35 defendants with violating RICO, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The arrests came early this morning as part of Operation Silent Night, in which over 1,300 law enforcement officers executed 43 search warrants, made 36 arrests, and seized 41 guns, over 12 pounds of narcotics (primarily marijuana), and $30,000 cash.
Eight of the 43 indicted persons remain at large.
Thirteen other defendants are already in custody, including the man accused of pulling the trigger that killed Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka. Vineland Boys Street Gang Dismantled in Massive Police Action Prompted by Murder, Weapons and Narcotics Chargesīurbank California: Twenty-three members of the Vineland Boys (VLB) street gang were arrested over the last 24 hours pursuant to a federal racketeering indictment that accuses them of a host of narcotic, weapon and violent crimes, including the murder of a 16-year-old witness and a Burbank Police Officer.
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