Latino Gangs

Mexican Mafia

La Eme, or the Mexican Mafia, was formed in east Los Angeles in the early 1950s. Originally composed of several smaller gangs dating back as early as the 1920s, the Mexican Mafia began as a protection service primarily in the California prison community. By the late 1960s, the Mexican Mafia controlled the majority of illegal activities inside the correctional institutions. As the gang's size and influence increased, so did its brutality. The primary customers of the gang's criminal enterprise were White and African American, but any non-gang member within the system could easily find himself a target of violence. With ruth-lessness being key to their success, gang members do not hesitate to eliminate any who get in the way, including rivals or members. Their primary criminal activities inside prison include gambling, drug dealing, and male prostitution rings. Outside of prison in California, La Eme controls gang activity in east Los Angeles as well as other southern California territories and manages most of the drug dealing in these areas. Armed robberies are another major source of income, and any rivals who attempt to move in on the Mexican Mafia's territory face a quick and brutal end. Currently, this gang's presence can be felt in correctional facilities across the United States.

Of all the Mexican gangs, members of the Mexican Mafia are arrested at the highest rate. Theorists explain the arrest disparity in a few different ways. One explanation places responsibility on the extensive crime networks that put more people on the streets doing illegal acts and thus increase the likelihood of contact with law enforcement. Additionally, prison is like home to many members of the gang; they can cope on the inside, whereas they may lack survival skills for mainstream society.

Considered a highly organized and well-established gang by law enforcement, the Mexican Mafia's success can be explained by its leadership system. At the top, the godfather or president wields the most power, and below that position is an underboss or vice president responsible for managing the gang's activities. Within each prison is a regional general, who leads the lieutenants and sergeants in their roles as supervisors to the soldiers and workers. A similar structure comprises the street side of the organizations, and the prison and street leaders are interchangeable, depending on who is in prison and who is on the street at any given time. Historically, a member released from prison could leave the gang; however, disassociation is no longer accepted. Currently, anyone who attempts to defect is killed. Once a member is released from prison, he is expected to make contact with other members on the outside and continue illicit operations or pay with his life.

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