LOS ANGELES (AP) Federal hate crime charges were filed against
four Hispanic members of a street gang who allegedly terrorized
black residents and killed an African-American man, it was
announced Friday.
A federal grand jury indictment handed up on Aug. 11 accuses the
men of conspiracy and firearm and civil rights violations,
including the April 1999 death of Kenneth Wilson, 38, who was shot
in Highland Park.
All four could face the death penalty if convicted.
The four were members of the Avenues 43 gang and are accused of
committing ``one of the most heinous crimes murdering someone
simply because of his skin color,'' U.S. Attorney Debra Yang said.
One of the men, Alejandro Martinez, 27, was arrested Friday
morning, authorities said.
Gilbert Saldana, 26, who allegedly shot Wilson, is serving a
life sentence in state prison for an unrelated murder. An arrest
warrant has been issued for the other alleged shooter, Merced
Cambero, 26.
Fernando Cazares, 24, is serving a 34-month state prison
sentence on unrelated charges, authorities said.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)