South San Francisco murder suspects facing death penalty

Four alleged Norteño gangmembers face the death penalty for their parts in a triple homicide in South San Francisco in late 2010, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said yesterday.

In all, 13 suspects were arrested yesterday across the Bay Area on racketeering charges related to their roles in two South San Francisco gangs, the 500 Block and C Street gangs, Haag said.

As police served a warrant in Petaluma yesterday morning related to an ongoing investigation, they were met by a barrage of gunfire, leaving three Homeland Security officers in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, said Clark Settles, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Several federal, state and local agencies were involved in yesterday’s joint operation. In all, 19 people were named in an April 24 indictment unsealed yesterday that alleges a racketeering conspiracy to commit violent crimes, including murder. Five of the suspects were already in custody.

The four who face the death penalty are Joseph Ortiz, aka "Little Vicious,” 22, from South San Francisco; Victor Flores, aka "Little Creeper,” 20, of Petaluma; Justin Whipple, aka "Teddy,” 19, of San Bruno; and Benjamin Campos-Gonzalez, aka "BG,” 21, of San Mateo, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

They are suspected of gunning down Omar Cortez, 18, Gonzalo Avalos, 19, and Hector Flores, 20, in South San Francisco’s Old Town neighborhood Dec. 22, 2010.

Ortiz is also charged with attempted murder charges related to a Dec. 18, 2010 shooting in Daly City, according to the Department of Justice.

Suspects were also arrested in Pacifica, Hayward, Millbrae, San Francisco and Daly City, according to the Department of Justice. Various agencies spent 18 months investigating the two gangs, which work together in criminal enterprises, according to the Department of Justice.

"Knowing arrests have been made will hopefully start to bring a sense of closure for the families and the entire community,” South San Francisco Mayor Rich Garbarino said at an afternoon press conference.

The 500 Block/C Street Gang is a Norteño gang that warred not only with Sureño gangs but also with rival Norteño gangs, according to the Department of Justice.

Others arrested yesterday were Michael Ortiz Jr., aka "Vicious,” 25, of San Bruno; Michael Ortiz Sr., aka "Blackie,” 48, of San Bruno; Armando Acosta, aka "Savage,” 27, of Pacifica; Giovanni Rimando Ascencio, aka "Gio,” 22, of South San Francisco; Raymond Hembry, aka "Tear Drop,” 33, of South San Francisco; James Hembry, aka "Pimpy,” 31, of Daly City; Richard Martinez, aka "Maniac,” 25, of Hayward; Rodrigo Aguayo, aka "Ayo,” 23, of San Mateo; Gregario Guzman, aka "Rhino,” 38, of San Mateo; Mario Bergren, aka "Fat Boy,” 23, of South San Francisco; Andrew Bryant, aka "Andy,” 29, of Daly City; and Peter Davis, aka "P-Nasty,” 26, of San Francisco. They are charged with racketeering conspiracy; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, arising from their participation in the racketeering enterprise alleged at the 500 Block/C Street Gang, according to the Department of Justice.

Three other defendants, Louis Rodriguez, 30, of Millbrae; Tanya Rodriguez, aka "La China,” 45, of San Bruno; and Betty Ortiz, 49, of San Bruno, are charged with being accessories after the fact to the Dec. 22, 2010 murders, according to the Department of Justice.

Most of the defendants are expected to be in federal court today. Many of the suspects are facing life sentences. The lightest sentence for any defendant is 40 years.

"The charges ... are a result of the tireless efforts of several law enforcement agencies who are working together to keep the community safe,” Haag said. "For the victims and their families, there is nothing we can do to erase their pain and sorrow. I hope, however, that these charges begin to provide some closure for them.”

The three officers injured in Petaluma were praised for their efforts to bring down the gang.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the three Homeland Security investigation agents who were injured during the operation. My office is proud to be associated with professionals who put their lives on the line to protect others. We will continue to work with our partners to help bring to justice those who terrorize their communities with violence and fear,” Haag said.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by email: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.