Gangs and the MilitaryGangs and the MilitaryPresented at

Northwest Gang Investigators AssociationOctober 2007

Al Valdez, Ph.D. UCI & Carter F. Smith, APSU

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

Displaying Rolling 30’s in high school.

Displaying rolling 30’s after AIT.

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

Fort Benning, GA

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

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Photographs (Signs)Photographs (Signs)

• Pictures found during Midlands investigation capture gang culture(Columbia, SC) September 13, 2006 - Investigators say the picture below captures a gang in the making. It's a group of young men posing in colors and flashing hand signs. The photo was taken in the parking lot of Columbia High School, on a weekend, when school was out.

Even more disturbing, says Sheriff Leon Lott, are the identities of three of the people shown in the shot - all Marines.

http://www.wistv.com/

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Cola H.S. parking lotCola H.S. Students

St. Andrews Middle School Students

USMC Striggles

“KP”

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Marines in SCMarines in SC

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High Schoolers in SCHigh Schoolers in SCKenneth “KP”

McClain

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Marines in SCMarines in SC

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/news-article.aspx?storyid=64809

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Marines in NCMarines in NC

Larry Jamiall West, Devin Malcolm Wood, Anthony Eugene Jones

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Marines in NCMarines in NC

• Larry Jaimall West, 22, a Camp Lejeune Marine attached to 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, Lima Company, was charged with first-degree murder for stabbing Christian Cardenas multiple times.

• Anthony Jones, 18, of Country Club Road, and Devin Malcolm Wood, 21, also a Marine attached to 3/8, Lima Company, were both charged with accessory after the fact, according to warrants.

• Jones is accused of "disposing of bloody clothing" and "not reporting his knowledge of the incident to law enforcement.“

• Wood is accused of "cleaning the murder weapon" and "providing clean clothing" to West. Wood also didn't report knowledge of the crime to police.

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How Big a deal is it?How Big a deal is it?

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How Big a deal is it?How Big a deal is it?

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How Big a deal is it?How Big a deal is it?

• For FY2006, there were 1.36 million active duty personnel in the U.S. armed services— 512,400 in the Army, 352,700 in the Navy, 179,000 in the Marines and 317,400 in the Air Force.

• If “less than” one percent of these are gangbangers, that means there are no more than 13,600 gang members.

• . . . to be released on the streets of America after the war is over, trained in urban combat by the best military in the world. - Hunter Glass

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How Big a deal is it?How Big a deal is it?

• Infantry• Telecommunications • Paralegal • Military Police • Intelligence Analyst • Transportation • Logistics• Communications

• Medical• Intelligence and

Electronic Warfare • Psychological

Operations • Finance • Chemical Munitions • Explosive Ordnance• Recruiter

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How Big a deal is it?How Big a deal is it?

• Weapons

• Ammunition

• Grenades

• Night Vision Goggles

• Ballistic Vests

Police: Same Man Robs 2 So. Fla. Burger Kings With AK-47

M4A1 Carbine

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Techniques for Countering GangsTechniques for Countering Gangs

• FM 19-10 (MILITARY POLICE LAW AND ORDER OPERATIONS, SEPTEMBER 1987)

• FM 3-19.13 (LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS, JANUARY 2005)

• SPECIAL AGENT, MOS 95D SKILL LEVELS 2/3/4, SOLDIERS MANUAL AND TRAINERS GUIDE (CID Training Manual - 2003)

• FM 3-19.1 MILITARY POLICE OPERATIONS (January 2002)

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What is a Security Threat Group (STG)?

A formal or informal ongoing group, gang, organization or association consisting of two or more members who have a common name or

common identifying sign, color(s), or symbol(s). A group whose members/associates engage in

a pattern of gang-type activity or violation of laws/regulations.

By any other name . . .By any other name . . .

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DOD Directive 1325.6 (Revised)DOD Directive 1325.6 (Revised)

3.5.8.  Prohibited Activities. 

• Military personnel must reject participation in Security Threat Groups.

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What’s the problem/solution?What’s the problem/solution?

• Military Law Enforcement does not adequately address the “gang problem.”– Reactive response in most cases – no centralized effort– Sporadic interest depends on grassroots effort.– More often “it’s not our responsibility.”

• Military Training Command employs “professional,” not “experienced” instructors.

• Military fails to recognize gang-drug connection.• Military Law Enforcement changes duty

assignments & locations often (unless civilianized).

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Local police departments (in close proximity to military installations) should identify, collect and share intelligence on all gang activity (including military), and share with local MLE when there’s an interest.

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BibliographyBibliography• A & E Investigative Reports• About.com• Amarillo Globe• Anti-Defamation League• Army Times• Army.com• Associated Press• Chicago Sun-Times• Chicago Tribune• Daily News Record• Fort Bragg website• Gangs – A Street Guide• International Latino Gang

Investigators Association• KFOX TV• Military.com• Military District of Washington

website

• National Alliance of Gang IAs • National Criminal Justice Reference

Service• National Gang Crime Research

Center• NBC – 17 News• NBC – San Diego• New York Sun• Personal Collections• Rand Corporation• ROCIC• Southern Poverty Law Center• Teen Angel’s Magazine• Temple Daily Telegram• Washington Post

Gangs and the MilitaryGangs and the Military