A Jefferson County grand jury has indicted six people linked to a Denver-area street gang on charges relating to their alleged activity dating back to 2004, including soliciting murder, attempted murder and witness intimidation.
The county district attorney’s office announced the multi-count, 24-page indictment on Monday.
The indictment says the gang members made their money selling drugs and by punishing or “eliminating” their rivals. The document details their criminal enterprise efforts and attempts — some of which were successful — to threaten, assault and even kill.
“Their daily activities include the sale and use of narcotics, recruitment and admission of new members and targeting rival gang members for assault or murder,” the office said.
Those indicted include brothers Jimmy, Timmy and Michael Valanzuela who are accused of founding the gang and being its leaders.
Prosecutors say Jimmy Valanzuela, 43, was the gang’s highest ranking member.
“Jimmy and Timmy Valanzuela were arrested and charged with attempted murder of a man at a bar in Lakewood in February 2014,” the office said. “Court records say that they believed the man was a snitch. The victim was shot in the neck, but survived his injury. That case has been dismissed and incorporated into this indictment.”
The gang was linked to the , 38, who was found dead in a vehicle in Northglenn, the indictment shows. Garduno was shot once in the back of the head.
Investigators believe Garduno was killed because he had previously cooperated with a federal investigation into several gang members. Jimmy Valanzuela is accused of ordering Garduno’s slaying.
One of the six is accused of threatening to kill — or “smoke” — an Arapahoe County judge, according to court documents.
All six of those indicted have been taken into custody and face charges according to their participation in the gang, the district attorney’s office said.
Three of the six indicted face charges of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
Those indicted:
Jimmy Valanzuela, 43
Timmy Valanzuela, 37
Michael Valanzuela Sr., 46
Tanya Gutierrez, 35
Jaime Venegas, 22
Anthony Saleh Jr., 22
