Eric Zarate Sr., 44, and Robert Maldonado, 57, conspired to murder two gang members in 2018 and 2019 while speaking on wiretapped phones, according to prosecutors.
OAKLAND — Two members of the Nuestra Familia prison gang have been sentenced to varying federal prison terms for their roles in the same two murder conspiracies targeting lower-tier members of their organized crime network, court records show.
Zarate and Maldonado admitted to two murder conspiracies in 2018 and 2019. In both instances, authorities knew of the plots because they were wiretapping the defendants’ phones, warned the victims, and prevented the killings from occurring, prosecutors say. Despite having this evidence, prosecutors didn’t indict the pair until August 2021, two months after Zarate was allegedly involved in a shooting near a San Jose courthouse that left one man dead.
Additionally, prosecutors describe Zarate as a “high level” heroin and cocaine trafficker who also collected thousands in dues for the gang. Zarate was out of jail during the conspiracy, which made him more valuable to the gang, authorities say. By contrast, Maldonado was serving a life sentence for a 2008 conviction of dissuading a witness from testifying against another gang member.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two hurt, one seriously, in two-vehicle Crystal Lake crash Monday nightA two-vehicle crash in Crystal Lake Monday evening sent two people to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.
Read more »
Two men shot just hours apart in NYC: policeMonday morning was marked by two shootings in Brooklyn and Queens that left two men wounded.
Read more »
Two Israeli settlers killed in West Bank shooting, days after Israeli raid kills 11 Palestinians | CNNTwo Israeli settlers were shot and killed in the West Bank on Sunday, local settler leader Yossi Dagan said, calling it 'an extremely serious terrorist attack.' The shooting sparked revenge attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, causing at least one death and numerous injuries.
Read more »
Palestinian gunman shoots and kills two Israeli brothers in West BankA Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israeli brothers in the northern West Bank on Sunday, casting a shadow over peace talks that took place in Jordan.
Read more »
Arizona State's case for NCAA postseason improves, but two big challenges remainThe Sun Devils have momentum, but road games against UCLA and USC could help determine the team's postseason fate.
Read more »