Three Sentenced After Being Convicted of Carjacking and Kidnapping Three Children

MONTGOMERY, AL—Joshua Roland Fuller Gilley, 26, of Enterprise, Alabama; Westly Robert Rogers, 25, of Ozark, Alabama; and Melissa Lynn Mione McGee, 37, of Daleville, Alabama, have all been sentenced after pleading guilty to carjacking an Isuzu Rodeo in which three children, ages 2 ½ years, 1 ½ years, and 2 months old were riding in the backseat; and to kidnapping those same three young children, announced U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr.
Gilley was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to 46 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to carjacking. Rogers was sentence by Judge Fuller to 32 months’ imprisonment after pleading to carjacking, and McGee was sentence by the same judge to 210 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to kidnapping.
Around May 21, 2011, the victims, J.G. and A.L., were first introduced to McGee by someone they had met over the Internet named “Nate.” McGee claimed to be a human resources representative from Memphis, Tennessee, and offered to help the couple find jobs and a residence near Ozark, Alabama. As a result of this offer, the victims traveled to Ozark. In Ozark, the victims and their three children stayed in a motel room at the Ozark Inn paid for by McGee. During their stay at the Ozark Inn, McGee personally met with the couple, provided them small amounts of money and food, and promised to get J.G. a job paying $17 an hour.
On Sunday, June 5, 2011, the victims and the three children drove to a rural area outside Brundidge, Alabama, to meet with McGee and take possession of a mobile home McGee had promised them. When they arrived, McGee introduced them to Rogers and Gilley, whom McGee referred to as “Mike” and “Nate.” Rogers and Gilley immediately assaulted the young couple and forcibly removed them from their Isuzu Rodeo. Rogers and Gilley then climbed into the Isuzu and drove off with the three children still in the back seat. McGee drove a white SUV ahead of Rogers and Gilley and later took custody of the 2-month-old baby, while the 2 ½-year-old and the 1 ½-year-old were dumped in the driveway of a residence in Black, Alabama. Upon finding the two older children, the occupants of the residence brought the children to a nearby hospital.
Less than 48 hours after the crime occurred, law enforcement officers were able to track down the baby to a private residence in Dothan, Alabama. The woman who lived there told authorities that she had agreed to watch the baby for McGee, who had claimed the stolen baby was her own child.
“These three defendants not only endangered these young children by kidnapping them from their mother, but they dumped the two older children in a driveway in rural Alabama, showing no concern for their welfare,” said U.S. Attorney, George L. Beck, Jr. “Their behavior was inexcusable, and they should spend substantial time in prison. We are proud of our judiciary in this case for sending a message that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
“The defendants’ predatory nature and their willingness to expose this family to such peril and harm is a serious criminal act which will not be tolerated by society,” stated Stephen E. Richardson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division. “The FBI’s commitment to protect and ensure the safety of families and children is unwavering. We are pleased that these criminals face serious prison time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is being assisted by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Ozark Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dothan Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other law enforcement partners. This case has been prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kent Brunson and Nathan Stump.

California Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Racketeering Offenses Related to Fatal Shooting of Three-Week-Old Infant

LOS ANGELES—A member of the 18th Street criminal street gang was sentenced to life in federal prison for his conviction on racketeering offenses arising out of the September 2007 shooting of a street vendor near MacArthur Park, California, that resulted in the murder of a 23-day-old infant.
Javier Perez, 35, received a life sentence from U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson. There is no parole in the federal system.
Perez was one of four defendants—all of whom were members or associates of the Columbia Lil’ Cycos clique of the 18th Street gang (the CLCS organization)—who were found guilty of federal racketeering offenses last May.
The three other defendants found guilty after last May’s trial are: Eduardo Hernandez, 35; Vladimir Iraheta, 31; and Leonidas Iraheta, 31. Judge Pregerson is scheduled to sentence those defendants on January 24 and 25.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the CLCS organization used violence and intimidation to control narcotics distribution in an area adjoining MacArthur Park in the Westlake District of Los Angeles. Under the orders of the CLCS organization’s leadership, narcotics suppliers and street dealers paid “rent”—typically a percentage of proceeds from the sale of narcotics—in exchange for permission from the CLCS organization to sell narcotics in the organization’s territory. Those who paid rent received the exclusive authorization to sell narcotics in CLCS organization territory, as well as protection from rivals. Street vendors operating in CLCS organization territory also were required to pay “rent” to the organization in order to be allowed to sell their wares near MacArthur Park. Evidence presented at trial showed that the CLCS organization made tens of thousands of dollars a week through its collection of rent. The failure or refusal to pay rent and otherwise follow the organization’s rules would result in retribution, including acts of violence.
A street vendor who refused to make a $50 rent payment to the CLCS organization was targeted to be killed by members of the organization in a shooting on September 15, 2007. Although the man survived despite being shot four times, a 23-day-old infant sitting in a stroller next to the vendor was struck and killed.
Shortly after the failed attempt to murder the vendor and the resulting death of the child, CLCS organization leaders ordered the kidnapping and murder of the shooter in order to make amends with the Mexican Mafia. The shooter was thereafter taken to Mexico by Javier Perez—who only 10 days before had been released from prison on other charges—and other CLCS organization members, under the false premise that the shooter would hide out from the police there. Once in Mexico, the shooter was driven to a remote area, where he was strangled and his lifeless body was thrown over a cliff. Unbeknownst to the would-be killers, the shooter survived the attempt on his life. The CLCS organization associate who assisted Perez in strangling the shooter previously was convicted and sentenced to a life term of imprisonment.
The four convicted at trial were among 43 members and associates of the CLCS organization who were charged in a 2009 federal racketeering indictment that alleged acts of violence, narcotics distribution, money laundering, and various violent crimes in aid of racketeering. The charged defendants included local federal criminal defense attorney Isaac Guillen who laundered over $1.3 million in drug and extortion proceeds on behalf of the CLCS organization and Mexican Mafia member Francisco “Puppet” Martinez. Guillen is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Pregerson tomorrow.
Thirty-seven of the defendants named in the indictment have been convicted in federal court. The remaining six defendants are fugitives.
The CLCS racketeering case was investigated by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department.