OVS (gang)

Mexican-American gang from Ontario, California

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Criminal organization

OVS – Onterio Varrio Sur – Onterio Varrio SunkistFounded| 1950s

|

Founding location| Ontario, California, United States
Years active| 1950s–present
Territory| San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties
Ethnicity| Chicano (Mexican American)
Membership (est.)| 450 (as of 2010)
Activities| Murder, drive by shootings, contract killings, money laundering, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, racketeering, extortion
Allies| Mexican Mafia[1]
Sureños[2]
Aryan Brotherhood
Peckerwoods
Rivals| Crips, Bloods, BGF

OVS (Ontario Varrio Sur and also known as Onterio Varrio Sunkist) is a Mexican American (Chicano) gang from Ontario, California. As of 2010, the gang consisted of approximately 450 members.[3] It contains two sub-cliques known as the Jr Black Angels and Black Angels. The main operating area is Sunkist Street located in South Ontario.

OVS has deep-rooted ties within the Mexican Mafia (a Californian criminal organization),[4][5][6] with over a dozen active members within the La Eme organization.

## Criminal activity

[edit]

According to Ontario Police Detective Brice Devey, the primary activity of the OVS gang is murder.[2] Along with repeated activities such as robberies, assaults[7] and narcotics sales.[8]

OVS, as with most other Sureño gangs,[9] are allegedly connected with Mexican drug cartels.[10] Methamphetamine,[11] cocaine, black-tar heroin,[12] and marijuana are sold by street dealers who operate out of numerous hidden "trap-houses" where the product is stored and processed into smaller quantities.[13][14] OVS also sells arsenals of illegal/stolen firearms, ranging from handguns to assault rifles, as well as knives, clubs, and other weapons.[15]

OVS is also known for killing their own members, this is known as "cleaning house".[16][8]

## History

[edit]

### Formation, creation of subgroups, and spread

[edit]

In the early 1950s, the OVS Black Angels were formed, taking their name from a popular comic book of the time. Frank "Mosca" Castrejon was among the founders. Several years later, the Jr Black Angels were formed, recruiting teens as young as 11 years of age. Their original territory was in the southeast side of Ontario, and subsequently, they gained a foothold in the entire city of Ontario, including certain parts of the Inland Empire and surrounding counties.

In 1954, the OVS Earth Angels were formed. Some recall them as offshoots from the Black Angels. Like the Black Angels, they eventually formed a Jr version, with the Jr Earth Angels' age bracket being in their early 20s.[17] Many families were divided, with one brother an Earth Angel while another was a Black Angel, along with cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. In the early years, the E.A.'s outnumbered the B.A.'s. Their original territory was in south Ontario.

In 1980, the Northside Ontario Calaveras street gang was formed. This gang never became as large as OVS but nonetheless gained notoriety in Ontario. In one incident in 1999, Northside Ontario Calaveras gang members were targeted in a shooting by members of Eastside Ontario 4th street YGW gang.

On June 22, 1987, Mary Lou Davilla Salazar, Lourdes Flores, and Francisco Delgado Ortiz were found murdered in a home on Sunkist street in south Ontario. This was a revenge hit for the murder of OVS gang member Tito Marines Jr. On June 25, 1987, high-ranking OVS Eme member and later La Eme Godfather Reuben "Tupi" Hernandez was arrested for the murders, and on July 19, 1988, he was sentenced to three consecutive life terms plus 16 years in state prison for these murders.

In 1990, the OVS Earth Angels 175 members gang and the female Earth Angelettes gang disbanded. Many senior members became official made members of the California Mexican mafia. There were many street versions of why the E.A.'s disbanded.[18]

On November 9, 1993, East L.A. Benjamin "Topo" Peters (aged 54) replaced East L.A. Maravilla Joe "Peg Leg" Morgan as La Eme godfather. Peters was challenged for control of La Eme by OVS Black Angel Reuben "Tupi" Hernandez (aged 35), competing for leadership and godfather status of the California Mexican Mafia. Both were well known to many law enforcement officers in Los Angeles and southern California. Ultimately, Ruben "Tupi" Hernandez gained control of La Eme, which consisted of at least 1000 active La Eme members.[19]

On May 1, 1995, 22 members and associates of the California Mexican Mafia (La Eme) were indicted on RICO charges, including La Eme godfather OVS Black Angel Reuben "Tupi" Hernandez. On September 3, 1997, Hernandez was sentenced to his fourth life term from the RICO charges.

### Early 2000s arrests and proceedings

[edit]

On January 20, 2005, OVS rival gang members Henry Valle, 18, and Narisco Perez, 18, were found shot dead in a minivan in the 4200 block of Los Serranos Boulevard in Chino Hills. Valle had mistakenly burglarized a home connected to Darryl Castrejon, one of the top Mexican Mafia enforcers and southern California shot-caller with ties to the Pomona's 12th Street gang.[20]

In April 2006, OVS LA Eme members Darryl Castrejon, Arthur Garcia, Julio Ponce Felix Jr., and Ricardo Polanco were arrested for conspiracy to commit murder against fellow La Eme member "Frankie Buelna." They were included with the 57 Gang Members arrested from the Pomona Sharkies, with a seizure of more than six pounds of methamphetamine worth nearly $36,000, 18 pounds of methamphetamine ice worth $162,000, 36 grams of heroin, 14 grams of cocaine, more than $23,000 in U.S. currency, 11 pistols, several rifles and shotguns, and one grenade. In addition, during the arrests, agents seized nine more pounds of methamphetamine, one-half pound of heroin, 25 firearms, including an AK-47, and approximately $20,000 in U.S. currency. The investigation included the use of wiretaps, informants, extensive surveillance, and undercover agents.[21]

Between 2006 and 2007, the Gangland TV series approached members from the OVS gang for an episode. The TV series was aware of their power struggle in the California Mexican mafia as well as the leadership and influence that OVS carried in the prison system and on the streets of southern California. OVS turned them down several times.[22]

In September 2008, OVS gang member Cesar Albert Mora was sentenced to 58 years to life, including 25 years to life for an assault conviction plus five years for gang enhancements on an assault conviction. A 25-year-to-life term was imposed but stayed on the active gang participation conviction. With three prior serious felony convictions and three prior strikes, he was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for stabbing a victim at a house party and possession of a shank while in custody.[23]

In September 2008, OVS La Eme members Ricardo Polanco and Arthur Garcia received sentences of 50 and 55 years to life for the murder of Frankie "Frankie B" Buelna in 2005. Buelna was green-lighted by longtime Eme top enforcer Darryl Castrejon for collecting taxes in his area without authorization.

On January 7, 2009, OVS La Eme member Darryl Castrejon failed to appear at a court hearing in Pomona Superior Court for the first time in three years, three days before the Frankie B murder plot trial. Castrejon posted a $1 million bail and disappeared. As of today, he has continued to elude law enforcement as a fugitive. He has been seen in Mexico and Central America and has direct ties to major drug cartels. He has been using the Inland Empire and L.A. gangs to ferry large quantities of drugs and cash across the border while remaining untouchable to federal and law enforcement agencies, effectively falling off the radar.[24]

### RICO proceedings and crackdown

[edit]

On April 21, 2010, a 17-month investigation spearheaded by the Ontario Police Department resulted in the arrest of 52 alleged gang members who had ties to the Mexican Mafia. Ontario police officers stated that the gang investigation was the largest in the city's history.

About 400 law-enforcement officers participated with the Ontario Police Department with the support of the DEA, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and surrounding law-enforcement agencies. Officers went to 34 locations in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties to serve search and arrest warrants, with seventeen of those locations in Ontario. The arrests included more than 60 federal indictments and the seizure of firearms, methamphetamine, and $168,000 in cash.[25]

In addition to RICO charges, the indictments alleged violent crimes in aid of racketeering, conspiracies to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and firearms violations. The RICO conspiracy count in the indictments alleged a series of specific overt acts, including transporting narcotics from Mexico into the United States, shooting at police during a high-speed chase, an armed robbery of a convenience store, and the murder of an OVS Black Angel member "Paul Angel" who had run afoul of the gang.

A joint federal-state law enforcement operation led to the arrest of the OVS gang members and associates named in federal racketeering and narcotics indictments. The arrests were the result of the indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. The main indictment named a total of 52 defendants, 36 of whom were charged under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. A second indictment charged another 10 defendants with narcotics trafficking violations.[26][27]

In January 2011, an OVS gang member was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting a man that prosecutors described as a gang member "green-lighted" by his gang for execution. A jury deliberated for two days in West Valley Superior Court before convicting 23-year-old Daniel Vera of murdering 29-year-old Manuel Jesus Vega in Upland on January 13, 2009. The jury also convicted Vera of participation in a criminal street gang, as well as two special allegations – that Vera used a firearm and committed the killing in association with a gang.[28][29]

In August 2012, the OVS Gang, along with the Pomona Sharkey's Gang and several other SGV gangs, were targeted as a narcotics distribution network, including members of an international drug trafficking organization. An investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrest of 27 defendants who faced federal narcotics charges for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution network. A federal grand jury returned an indictment in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles charging a total of 27 defendants, several of whom were already in custody. The indictment outlined hundreds of overt acts that formed the basis for the conspiracy to manufacture, possess, and distribute large quantities of nearly pure methamphetamine. The indictment charged the defendants for their roles in the distribution of methamphetamine, the possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, for conspiring to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute methamphetamine, and maintaining drug-involved premises, all violations of the United States Code, Title 21.[30]

On May 14, 2013, OVS gang members Danny Ray Contreras and James Edward Hall shot and killed a fellow OVS gang member who was "green-lighted." Both were convicted of first-degree murder, gun-use enhancements, and a gang enhancement.[31] Both were sentenced to life.

On January 10, 2015, San Bernardino County's largest gang case ended with a total of 485 years of prison sentences, including charging OVS La Eme member Darryl Castrejon, who continued to elude authorities.

### 2015–present

[edit]

On February 20, 2015, OVS gang members Carlos "Chino" Rivera, Raul "Crook" Prieto, and Jessica Medina attempted to appeal their jury convictions arising out of activities connected with the OVS Black Angels. Prieto objected to the admission of testimony from Black Angels gang leader David Navarro regarding the meaning of the term "bird" and argued that the prosecution mischaracterized Navarro's testimony in its closing argument. However, Navarro's testimony was admissible as a lay opinion supported by his experience as the leader of the gang's extortion activities and participation in methamphetamine sales. The evidence was sufficient to allow a rational fact finder to convict Prieto based on the distribution of methamphetamine. The recorded telephone calls demonstrated Prieto's willingness to sell half an ounce of a larger supply of a controlled substance. Prieto never questioned Rivera regarding what type of drugs Rivera was expecting when he "re-upped," allowing for a reasonable inference that Prieto understood Rivera's reference. This inference was bolstered by Navarro's testimony that Rivera had conducted methamphetamine deals from Prieto's mother's house in Prieto's presence and with Prieto's knowledge, demonstrating that Prieto knew that Rivera trafficked in methamphetamine. Finally, Rivera was arrested with nearly half a pound of high-purity methamphetamine following his conversation with Prieto. Because a conviction could be proven through circumstantial evidence and inferences drawn from that evidence, and because a reasonable fact finder could conclude that Prieto knew Rivera was distributing methamphetamine and that Prieto was requesting half an ounce of methamphetamine to sell, Prieto's argument failed.[32]

From February 2020 to the present, OVS and other San Bernardino county gangs, along with the San Gabriel Valley gangs (the Surenos alliance), heightened their Mexican Mafia orders and agreed to terrorize and kill African Americans, including members of the Crips and Bloods, in their territories.[33]

## High ranking members

[edit]

### Tupi Hernandez

[edit]

A veteran of OVS (Sunkist St-Black Angels),[34][35][36] Tupi joined La Eme during one of the frequent trips behind bars he made during his late teens. Tupi, along with his best friend Tito Marines, led OVS in battle against other well-established surrounding gangs.

Tupi's devotion and eagerness to please his superiors in La Eme led him to become known as one of the most dangerous inmates in the California prison system – a designation he would prove when his buddy Marines was killed while he served an 8-year sentence for robbery. Upon his release, Tupi promptly returned to his old haunts where he chastised the younger members of OVS for failing to take care of business, meaning kill a list of people he had passed down through the "prison information network" before his release. Prime on his list of people to kill was Mary Lou Davila Salazar, the woman he deemed responsible for Marines' murder. During a series of meetings with the most promising Eme recruits from OVS, Tupi warned the youngsters to stay off of the street Salazar lived on, and secured an arsenal of weapons to complete his mission of revenge. In an event which shocked the city of Ontario, Tupi entered Salazar's house on the morning of June 22, 1987 and savagely beat and executed not only Salazar, but also her young roommate and her boyfriend.

Police immediately determined that Tupi was responsible. Within 48 hours of the vicious episode, Tupi was behind bars for what would turn into a life sentence. Convicted of the triple homicide, Hernandez received a life sentence for each of his victims. During the trial, evidence of his Eme ties was introduced, and it quickly became apparent that Tupi Hernandez was much more than just a street soldier. Testimony was introduced that veteran Eme members referred to him as "sir" and fawned at the chance to please him. It would be years before his true status in the gang became known.

During the Mexican Mafia federal pre-trial hearings the Feds and local law enforcement was well aware of the power struggle and tension between "Tupi" Hernandez and Benjamin "Topo" Peters. This Mexican Mafia rico act was huge while being televised worldwide. Incarcerated in a federal locked down facility with strict procedures and protocols it's not possible for any type of weapon to be circulating- unless it was allowed to happen. The Feds purposely locked down "Tupi" Hernandez and Benjamin "Topo" Peters together and was well aware of the outcome that was going to take place. While the feds and local law enforcement were waiting and watching while laughing it up behind the 24 hour security cameras, Benjamin "Topo" Peters made his move on "Tupi" Hernandez. "Topo" repeatedly stabbed "Tupi" while pinning him down as he sat in the corner of the cell. In the end the Feds came in acting like they were the good guys and separated the two. Ultimately "Tupi" Hernandez was set up. Little did the public know that because of this incident, there was tension for many years between the Inland Empire La Eme faction and the East L.A. La Eme faction. The East L.A. faction did not want the Inland Empire faction to be in control.

### Darryl "Dashing D" Castrejon

[edit]

One of the top leaders of the OVS family and one of the Mexican Mafia top leaders in California, Darryl Castrejon's[37][38][39] leadership and influence as an enforcer has spawned a new breed of generational top notched soldiers and new recruits for La Eme throughout California. This silent, observant, untouchable leader from OVS is known to have major influences with southern California gangs, thus making OVS an untouchable ally within the Sureno network. He's also known in controlling the drug trade in the state of California.[40]

Ambassador of the OVS La Eme and shot caller of the OVS Black Angels.[41][42][43][44]

## See also

[edit]

* Surenos
* List of California street gangs

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Matthews, Will (26 September 2004). "Roots of youth violence; Gangs date back to Inland Valley's citrus days". Archived from the original on 11 December 2024.
2. ^ a b "People v. Contreras - Casetext". Casetext.com. November 28, 2016. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022.
3. ^ "Ontario police aids in Mexican Mafia takedown". The San Bernardino Sun. April 21, 2010. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023.
4. ^ "Crime File Post 916". crimefile.servertalk.in. Archived from the original on 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
5. ^ The California Mexican Mafia (PDF) (Report). November 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2024.
6. ^ "Terror in our streets: L.A. Daily News Special Report". lang.dailynews.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-21. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
7. ^ "The People v. Mora CA4/2 – CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
8. ^ a b "People v. Contreras, E062772 | Casetext Search + Citator". casetext.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
9. ^ "Surenos 2008 Special Gang Report". publicintelligence.net. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
10. ^ "Dozens of alleged Ontario gang members arrested, charged in federal indictment". 2010-04-22. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
11. ^ Prosecutors said the gang smuggles and distributes methamphetamine and heroin, including in prisons for the benefit of incarcerated Mexican Mafia: "27 Arrested in Ontario Street Gang Sweep". April 27, 2010.
12. ^ "The Sheriff's Blogger". The Sheriff's Blogger. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
13. ^ "United States v. Lopez (2007)". Findlaw. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
14. ^ "OVS RICO indictment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 22, 2015.
15. ^ "United States v. Lopez (2007)". Findlaw.
16. ^ "People v. Vera CA4/2 – CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
17. ^ Jensen, R. K. (2005). OVS Earth Angels- Left for Dead: Faith, Family, & the Mob. Ontario, Ca.: Aaron Communications III, 2005. ISBN 978-0-9763964-2-0.
18. ^ Jensen, R. K. (2005). OVS Earth Angels- Left for Dead: Faith, Family, & the Mob. Aaron Communications III. ISBN 9780976396420.
19. ^ Ayres Jr, B. Drummond (November 26, 1996). "Reputed leader of la Eme and his main rival competes for the California Mexican Mafia leadership and control". New York Times.
20. ^ "Mexican Mafia Archives". Crime file. 2005. Archived from the original on 2015-06-21. Retrieved 2023-09-08.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
21. ^ "57 Gang Members Arrested on Anniversary of CHP Officer Steiner's Death in Pomona". Attorney General Bill Lockyer. 2006. Archived from the original on 2018-12-22. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
22. ^ "2006–2007 Gangland TV series approaches OVS for episode. OVS says no". RR-Magazine International. 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
23. ^ "The People v. Mora CA4/2, E055696 (Cal. Ct. App. 2013)". Court Listener. 2013.
24. ^ Blatchford, Chris (Jan 22, 2012). "Fox 11 News- Video timeline 6:18". Fox 11 News Youtube.
25. ^ "Ontario Police Department with the aid of 400 law enforcement officers takes down OVS and the OVS Mexican mafia". The Sun. 2010.
26. ^ "Dozens of alleged Ontario gang members arrested, charged in federal indictment". 89.3 KPCC. 2010.
27. ^ "Task Force Operation Leads to Arrest of 27 OVS Street Gang Members With Allegiance to Mexican Mafia". United States Attorney's Office Central District of California. 2010.
28. ^ "OVS Gang member kills another member that was greenlighted by the OVS Mexican mafia". Daily Bulletin. 2011.
29. ^ "People v. Vera CA4/2, E056903 (Cal. Ct. App. 2014)". California Court of Appeal. 2014.
30. ^ "Federal Indictment Targets 27 for Narcotics Distribution Network, Including Members of an International Drug Trafficking Organization and Los Angeles County Street Gangs". FBI. 2012. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
31. ^ "OVS gang members kills a green lighted OVS gang member". Court of Appeal of the State of California. 2016.
32. ^ "In consolidated appeals, OVS gang members Carlos Rivera, Raul Prieto, and Jessica Medina appeal their jury convictions arising out of activities connected with the OVS Black Angels" (PDF). February 20, 2015.
33. ^ "Latino Gang Members in Southern California are Terrorizing and Killing Blacks". Intelligence Report. 2016.
34. ^ "News from California, across the nation and world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
35. ^ "United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Raymond Shryock, A/k/a Huero Shy, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Jesse Moreno, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Ruben Hernandez, A/k/a Tupi, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Alex Aguirre, Aka, Pee Wee, Aka Howard, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Juan Arias, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Randy Therrien, A/k/a Cowboy, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Ruben Castro, Aka Nite Owl, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Daniel Barela, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. David Gallardo, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Raymond Mendez, Aka Champ, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Joe Hernandez, Aka Shakey Joe, Defendant-appellant, 342 F.3d 948 (9th Cir. 2003)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
36. ^ "Mafia Handed 22 Indictments in LA - The Tech". tech.mit.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
37. ^ "With murder conspiracy trial imminent, alleged gang member disappears". www.insidesocal.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-29. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
38. ^ "Fox 11 Los Angeles". Fox 11 Los Angeles. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
39. ^ "The Story of Frankie B. and the Mexican Mafia". Hollywood goodfella. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
40. ^ "Ovs eme carnal Darryl Castrejon network in Mexico and South America strengthen the eme influence and ties with the drug cartels". Jul 25, 2021.
41. ^ "Leaders of Ontario street gang convicted". Daily Bulletin. 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
42. ^ "Release No. 10-073". www.justice.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-01-15. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
43. ^ "Central District of California | Two Mexican Mafia Members Guilty Of Federal Racketeering Charges In Crackdown Targeting Ontario Street Gang | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
44. ^ Romero, Dennis (2010-04-21). "Street Gang With Ties To Mexican Mafia Raided". L.A. Weekly. Archived from the original on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2025-02-08.

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Members|

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Organized crime groups in Los Angeles

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Inactive|

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Events|

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See also
List of criminal gangs in Los Angeles
Organized crime groups in the United States

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Organized crime groups in the Americas

Argentina|

* Ashkenazum
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See: Organized crime groups in Canada

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* Texis Cartel

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United States|

See: Organized crime groups in the United States

Venezuela|

* Cartel of the Suns
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