SUSPECTED L.A. GANG MEMBER CHARGED IN THROWING MOLOTOV COCKTAILS AT BLACK FAMILIES DENIED BAIL

Francisco “Bones” Farias and his fellow Latino gang members tried to drive blacks out of a public housing complex area in Boyle Heights

By Stephanie Michaud

City News Service
July 21, 2016

A suspected gang member charged in a federal indictment with throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows of sleeping black families at the Ramona Gardens public housing complex in Boyle Heights two years ago in an alleged effort to drive them out of the area was denied bail Thursday.

Francisco “Bones” Farias, 25, of Whittier was deemed a flight risk and a threat to the community by U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Stevenson, who ordered the defendant detained pending trial in Los Angeles federal court.

Farias and six other men were charged in an indictment unsealed July 7 with planning and carrying out the May 12, 2014, attack, in which no one was physically injured and only minimal damage was reported.

The defendants also were charged for their alleged roles in a racketeering enterprise that used violence and intimidation to control the perceived territory of the Big Hazard street gang.

“Crimes targeting innocent people based on the color of their skin are among the most heinous crimes a community can suffer,” said Eileen M. Decker, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. “In this case, the crime was particularly disturbing since the targets of the criminal conduct included children.”

The residents were able to return to their homes the same day.

Farias’ attorney, Gerald Salseda, argued that his client should be set free to await trial because the allegations in the indictment stem from two years ago.

“Why does he suddenly become a danger now?” Salseda said, adding that Farias has been “80 percent complaint” with his probation in a concealed weapons case for which he was arrested a few months after the firebombing.

“There’s no evidence of any kind of violence,” the attorney said, asking that bail be set at $100,000.

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Miller argued that Farias presented a clear danger to the community since black families still lived at Ramona Gardens.

“He put the lives of four families in direct danger of being incinerated as they slept,” Miller told the court, “simply because of the color of their skin.”

The prosecutor argued that Farias was also a flight risk since he faced a mandatory 20-year prison sentence if convicted.

“He’s very unlikely to comply” with any sort of pretrial release program, Miller said.

Additionally, any witnesses could be in danger since Big Hazard — an Eastside Hispanic gang that dates back to the 1940s — has a reputation for violence and retribution against those who cooperate with prosecutors, Miller said.

According to the indictment, 31-year-old Carlos “Creeper” Hernandez led a meeting of fellow Big Hazard members in early May 2014, when they plotted to hurl Molotov cocktails into units at Ramona Gardens, with the plan aimed at getting “the (N-words) out of the neighborhood.”

Hernandez and the other defendants met again on May 11, 2014 — Mother’s Day — and Hernandez distributed materials to be used during the firebombings, including disguises and gloves, prosecutors said.

The federal indictment also names Jose “Lil’ Moe” Saucedo, 22; Joseue “Malo” Garibay, 23; Edwin “Boogie” Felix, 23; Jonathan “Pelon” Portillo, 21; and Joel Matthew “Gallo” Monarrez, 21. They were all charged with conspiracy to violate civil rights; conspiracy to use fire and carry explosives to commit another federal felony; attempted arson of federal property; using fire and carrying explosives to commit another federal felony; aiding and abetting; and violent crime in aid of racketeering and interference with housing rights.

Hernandez and Farias were also charged with possessing, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Felix was also charged with making a false statement to the FBI.

Saucedo, Garibay, Portillo and Monarrez are facing up to 110 years in prison if convicted. Hernandez and Farias face between 20 years and up to life in prison, and Felix faces up to 115 years.

All defendants have been ordered detained pending trial.