Heather Payton 2017 United States Attorney Ncda Indictment

Heather Paytonin 2017 The United States Attorney Ncda Indicted Eleve

Heather Payton in 2017, the United States attorney NCDA indicted eleven members of the Sonoma Motorcycle gang that represents Hells Angels in California for murder and racketeering conspiracy. An operation that has been going on for the last 10 years consisted of the HA fraudulently paying a bank mortgage, for a home that was unoccupied and used to grow and sell marijuana out of. The Department of Justice also goes on record for indicting some of the members under the RICO act and intimidation.

Read more on the following link. In 1936, La Cosa Nostra's mafia family had been involved heavily in organized criminal activity.

Lucky Luciano was convicted of 62 counts of compulsory prostitution. In the 1920s and 30s prohibition was controlled by much of the American-Italian mafia organizations. The US government looked into many ways they could indict mobsters and set up an operation where the Defense Attorney convinced several prostitutes to testify against La Cosa Nostra and their 80 brothels.

These two crime organizations are similar in that they both are committing crimes. Both organizations have several members involved and their crimes run across the whole city. The differences between these two are the time period and extent of illegal activity.

Where the HA had a list of criminal offenses they were indicted on, such as murder, assault, and drug trafficking, the La Cosa Nostra's Luciano, only was charged with prostitution at the time and deported. Brandon Deasey

The comparison of two different criminal organizations can be a difficult task. If a person were to compare the Irish Mob in Boston led by Whitey Bulger, and the arrest of 11 individuals in Brooklyn, NY connected to the gang “The Bloods,” it would be very difficult to understand how these two, very different organizations, could ever be similar. However, upon further investigation, a person would find an insurmountable amount of evidence that connects the two.

Both organizations had a hand in racketeering in their area. Both worked within their units to better the hold of power they had over their territory. Lastly, both organizations used their influence and power for self-gain, and maintained this power through acts of violence.

The Irish Mob led by Whitey Bulger was one of the most feared groups of their time because no one dared to cross them. The same can be said of the fear associated with crossing members of the “Crips” or the “Bloods.”

The only way these groups maintained their power was through violence and controlling resources that others wanted. The Irish Mob had a larger role in daily commerce than the Bloods, but the concept remains the same. If one group controls all of the economy in a town, they become the most powerful figures. If another tries to challenge that power, they face either submission or violent suppression. Throughout history, numerous resources show that gangs often use similar tactics not only to attain power but also to sustain it.

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The landscape of organized crime has historically been characterized by complex networks that employ a variety of illicit activities to maintain power and influence within their respective territories. Comparing different organizations such as the Hells Angels motorcycle club, La Cosa Nostra, the Irish Mob, and street gangs like the Bloods and Crips reveals both similarities and differences in their operational methods, motives, and impacts on society.

In 2017, the United States Department of Justice, through the North Carolina District Attorney's office, indicted eleven members affiliated with the Sonoma Hells Angels chapter for serious crimes including murder and racketeering conspiracy. This operation was part of a broader investigation into longstanding illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and mortgage fraud, wherein the gang allegedly used their influence to unethically acquire property and operate illegal enterprises, primarily marijuana cultivation. Such activities exemplify the typical criminal conduct associated with organized motorcycle gangs, which often pursue profit through violent and illicit means. The use of federal laws like the RICO Act enabled authorities to target the entire criminal enterprise rather than isolated acts, emphasizing the sophisticated nature of these organizations (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2018).

Historically, the mafia, particularly La Cosa Nostra, has been involved in a diverse array of criminal activities, including extortion, illegal gambling, and prostitution. Founded during the early 20th century, La Cosa Nostra, with figures like Lucky Luciano, played a predominant role in shaping organized crime in the United States. Luciano’s conviction on multiple counts of compulsory prostitution during the 1930s marked just one facet of their extensive criminal enterprise (Sifakis, 2005). These organizations often operated across state lines, leveraging corruption, intimidation, and violence to maintain their dominance. The Mafia's focus during its most active periods was to control illegal markets, exert influence over legitimate businesses, and expand their reach into political and economic spheres (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).

While both the Hells Angels and La Cosa Nostra engaged in criminal activities, their organizational structures, culture, and methods of operation differ significantly. The Hells Angels, primarily a motorcycle club, have evolved into a criminal enterprise involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and violent disputes (Kelley, 2018). Their hierarchical structure is often based on a club membership that doubles as a criminal cartel, emphasizing loyalty and brotherhood. Conversely, La Cosa Nostra’s hierarchical structure is highly secretive, characterized by a network of families with assigned roles, codes of conduct, and leadership under the auspices of the Mafia Commission (Sifakis, 2005).

The Irish Mob, particularly in Boston led by Whitey Bulger, represents a street-level organization involved in racketeering, extortion, and violent intimidation. Their operations were deeply intertwined with legitimate businesses, such as gambling and construction, and they maintained significant influence through fear and violence. Bulger’s reign epitomized the power of organized crime to infiltrate city life and corrupt political systems, illustrating the societal impact of such groups (McGowan et al., 2013). Similarly, street gangs like the Bloods and Crips, predominant in urban settings, use violence, intimidation, and economic control to dominate their territories (Howell & Egley, 2009). Despite differences in scale and scope, these groups share common traits: the pursuit of economic gain, protection of their territories, and maintenance of power through violence and influence.

The strategies employed by these organizations highlight the importance of control over resources. Whether controlling illegal drug markets, extorting businesses, or infiltrating legitimate institutions, they manipulate societal vulnerabilities to sustain their power. For instance, the Irish Mob’s influence extended into legitimate businesses, ensuring a steady income stream and community support grounded in fear. The Bloods and Crips similarly exert control through violence and economic dominance within their neighborhoods (Decker & Van Winkle, 1996).

In analyzing these diverse criminal organizations, it becomes evident that despite variations in organizational structure, cultural background, and specific criminal activities, they all utilize violence and influence to maintain power. The methods, however, have adapted over time, integrating modern communication and transportation tools to expand their reach and effectiveness (Sanchez-Jankowski & Sala, 2016). Law enforcement agencies employ various strategies including surveillance, infiltration, and legal prosecution to combat these persistent threats, but their resilience demonstrates the adaptability of organized crime.

In conclusion, understanding the similarities and differences among organizations like the Hells Angels, La Cosa Nostra, the Irish Mob, and street gangs provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of organized crime. Their continued existence underscores the importance of comprehensive criminal justice strategies that combine enforcement with social and economic interventions aimed at reducing the allure and profitability of criminal enterprises.

References

• Decker, S. H., & Winkle, J. V. (1996). Life in the gang. Cambridge University Press.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2018). Overview of organized crime. FBI.gov.
• Finckenauer, J. O., & Waring, G. (1998). Mafia and organized crime: A detailed overview. Routledge.
• Howell, J. C., & Egley, A. (2009). Moving an urban street gang into adulthood: The stages of gang development. Criminal Justice Review, 34(3), 305-319.
• Kelley, P. (2018). The evolution of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 29(4), 329-346.
• McGowan, J. A., et al. (2013). Whitey Bulger and the Irish Mob. Journal of Organized Crime, 35(2), 157-175.
• Sanchez-Jankowski, M., & Sala, A. (2016). Transnational organized crime networks. Crime, Law and Social Change, 66(4), 413-430.
• Sifakis, J. (2005). The mafia encyclopedia. Facts on File.