A spring break attack on a man on South Padre Island has resulted in the arrests of 11 people who police said are members of the Texas Mexican Mafia.
The men were arrested Wednesday morning in the San Antonio and Pleasanton areas on charges related to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Recommended Videos
They have been identified as:
- Eric John Gomez, 35, Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) General
- Carlos Saenz III, 26, TMM Member of Leadership
- Michael J. Rangel, 33, TMM Member of Leadership (in custody since 03/17/2012)
- Alfredo Valdez, 30, TMM Soldier
- Emilio J. Ruvalcaba, 28, TMM Soldier
- Jamie A. Matos, 30, TMM Soldier
- Gilbert Balderas, 30, TMM Associate
- Omar I. Guerrero,27, TMM Soldier
- Thomas Wayne Garcia, 27, TMM Associate
- Michael Villarreal, 21, TMM Associate
- Matthew Villarreal, 17, TMM Associate (not related to South Padre Island case)
- Daniel Fernandez, 29, TMM Soldier (not related to South Padre Island case)
The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, the Texas Rangers Division and Texas Highway Patrol Division, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff's Department, New Braunfels Police Department, South Padre Island Police Department, Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service, collaborated in making the arrests.
Along with the arrests, agents seized narcotics, U.S. currency, weapons, cell phones, laptop computers, gang paraphernalia and documents and resulted in the recovery of a stolen motorcycle.
The Texas Rangers and the South Padre Island Police Department transported nine Texas Mexican Mafia members to the Cameron County Jail. Three other men are still being sought in connection with the South Padre Island assault.