Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
Gil Vasquez, known as "Rhino," and Jose Mexicano, also called "Armani," members of the Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) Norteño gang, have pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in a federal court. Both individuals are residents of Salinas, California.
The two men were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2024, alongside other defendants for their involvement in the SAP Norteños. This group is recognized as part of the larger Norteño criminal street gangs network and originated from an apartment complex in Salinas. The indictment outlines that members collaborate to commit crimes benefiting the gang and its affiliates like the Nuestra Familia prison gang.
Vasquez admitted his role in several criminal activities including an armed robbery in July 2014, attempted murder in February 2016, drug trafficking of fentanyl and firearms trafficking in 2023. He acknowledged holding a leadership position within the gang.
Mexicano confessed to drug trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine between 2021 and 2023, firearms trafficking from 2022 to 2023, and three violent assaults occurring in 2024 and 2025. Notably, two assaults happened while he was on federal pretrial release.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Tatum King.
The indictment involves nine additional SAP Norteño members whose cases are still pending. They remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Currently held in federal custody, Vasquez and Mexicano face sentencing on August 26, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Beth L. Freeman. Each could receive up to a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment along with a $250,000 fine upon conviction under federal statutes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Hageman, Leif Dautch, Amani Floyd, and Jared Buszin are leading the prosecution with support from Lakisha Holliman and Tina Rosenbaum. The case stems from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Salinas Police Department with aid from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
