NM prison gang members found guilty of racketeering chargers
Five alleged New Mexico prison gang members were convicted of participating in a violent racketeering operation.
Joe Lawrence Gallegos, Edward Troup, Billy Garcia, Arturo Arnulfo Garcia and Andrew Gallegos allegedly are part of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang.
The prison gang is known for its violent activity throughout New Mexico prisons.
A federal jury in Las Cruces found Lawrence Gallegos guilty of murdering two people in Dona Aña and Socorro counties. Troup, Billy Garcia, Arnulfo Garcia and Andrew Gallegos were convicted on murder charges.
The five defendants allegedly committed the crimes for the purpose of gaining entrance into Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico.
Three other defendants in a connected case were acquitted of racketeering charges in March.
