San Jose, California – Two members of the Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) Norteño gang, Gil Vasquez, known as “Rhino,” and Jose Mexicano, known as “Armani,” pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to racketeering conspiracy charges. Both men, from Salinas, California, were indicted along with nine others on April 18, 2024, as part of a wide-ranging investigation into the violent gang’s criminal activities.
The SAP Norteños originated in a Salinas apartment complex of the same name and operate as a clique within the larger Norteño network. The gang is closely tied to the Nuestra Familia prison organization. Prosecutors describe the group as highly organized, with members expected to carry out violent crimes such as shootings, robberies, and drug trafficking to protect the gang’s territory, power, and illicit profits.
In his plea agreement, Vasquez admitted to involvement in several serious crimes spanning years. These included an armed robbery of a bystander in July 2014, an attempted murder of a suspected rival in February 2016, and drug and firearms trafficking in 2023. Vasquez also acknowledged holding a leadership position within the gang. Mexicano admitted to trafficking fentanyl and cocaine from 2021 through 2023, firearms trafficking between 2022 and 2023, and three violent assaults committed in 2024 and 2025, including two assaults while on federal pretrial release.
Both men remain in federal custody and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 26, 2025. They face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 each. The nine other defendants indicted alongside them remain in federal court proceedings, presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The broader investigation into the SAP Norteños paints a grim picture of a gang engaged in a prolonged pattern of violence and criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges the group committed eight murders and six attempted murders, including shootings that severely injured innocent bystanders. The gang has targeted vulnerable populations, including transient individuals, and carried out multiple armed robberies and assaults over more than a decade.
Members of the gang are also accused of distributing fentanyl-laced pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, and illegal cannabis. The group operates with strict internal rules, including mandatory dues payments that fund bail for arrested members and weapons purchases.
In January 2024, law enforcement seized 97 firearms from a known SAP stash house in Salinas, underscoring the gang’s heavy armament. Authorities have signaled that investigations are ongoing, with the expectation of further arrests and charges. The case demonstrates the ongoing effort by federal and local agencies to disrupt dangerous criminal networks in the Salinas area and restore safety to the community.
