Nov 27, 2009 9:04 pm US/Pacific
Mexican Mafia Boss Arrested On Extortion Charges
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (AP) ―
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Alleged Mexican Mafia boss Ralph Rocha, 42, was arrested on charges of orchestrating a large extortion scheme. (File)
WJZ
A Mexican Mafia prison gang member has pleaded not guilty to orchestrating a large extortion scheme.
Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Friday that 42-year-old Ralph Rocha was arrested November 19 at his home in Moreno Valley. Deputies also executed two search warrants at other locations.
Whitmore says the charges include extortion and attempted extortion with a sentencing enhancement for alleged gang involvement, and follow a six month investigation.
Rocha is being held on $4 million bail.
He pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy in 1996 and served about 11 years in federal prison.
The Los Angeles Times reports rival gang leaders tried to arrange for him to be killed in 2007, but sheriff's investigators learned of the plot and made arrests.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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