The leader of a South Los Angeles street gang blamed for two decades of murders, robberies, extortion, illegal firearms possession, witness intimidation and narcotics trafficking near downtown's Skid Row has been sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison. Tyrine "Lil' C-Bone" Martinez, 36, will also have to spend 10 years of supervised release after serving his prison time.
The leader of a South Los Angeles street gang blamed for two decades of murders, robberies, extortion, illegal firearms possession, witness intimidation and narcotics trafficking near downtown's Skid Row faces a possible life term behind bars when he is sentenced Monday on federal charges.
Tyrine "Lil' C-Bone" Martinez, 36, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty last year to federal felony charges of racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to commit murder, conspiring to traffic crack cocaine, illegally possessing a firearm and selling crack cocaine near schools, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As a result of his plea, Martinez faces a potential life sentence and a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in federal prison. However, prosecutors are recommending that U.S. District Judge S. James Otero impose a 24-year sentence, while the defense is asking for the minimum allowable term.
Martinez was among 72 defendants charged in a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act -- RICO -- indictment that targeted the Broadway Gangster Crips, a street gang that claims territory in South Los Angeles.
Other key defendants named in the 213-page indictment also pleaded guilty. Tracy "Woody" Harris, 52, of Inglewood, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to sell methamphetamine after having been convicted of a prior drug felony, and selling methamphetamine near schools. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Roosevelt "TuTu" Sumpter, 44, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, illegally possessing a firearm, and selling crack cocaine near schools. He is currently serving 20 years.
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In a plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court, Martinez admitted being a leader of the Gremlin Riderz, a BGC subset serving as the gang's hit squad, and whose members bore tattoos from the 1984 movie "Gremlins."
Martinez also admitted to having conspired with other Broadway Gangster Crips members to murder a fellow gang member who had provided law enforcement information regarding a 2012 gang shooting that killed an unarmed teenager with no gang affiliation and wounded three others, including a 10-year-old girl.
At the time of the criminal conduct to which he pleaded, Martinez was on probation in four separate cases.