Two Fort Bend men among gang arrests

Two local residents were among eight Houston-area men who were rounded up Monday by federal authorities cracking down on violent prison gangs.

Robbie Lee ("Sleepy") Danas, 35, of Rosenberg, and Roberto ("Flaco") Garza, 33, of Needville, were among 17 reputed members of a prison gang known as the Texas Syndicate named in an 11-count indictment alleging various murders, attempted murders, armed robberies and drug trafficking. Both were taken into custody Monday following a five-year multi-agency investigation, according to U.S. Attorney Don DeGabrielle.

Arrest warrants for nine other men, all already in state and federal prisons, were delivered Tuesday. Fourteen defendants are charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and face life imprisonment if convicted.

The Texas Syndicate was formed some 30 years ago and is one of a dozen inmate gangs known to operate in Texas prisons.    

“Prison gang activities reach far beyond the walls of a prison into the communities in which we live,” said DeGabrielle.  “This indictment represents the continuing cooperative law enforcement efforts in this district to combat this activity and stop the violence.”

Other defendants taken in custody Monday include:

€ Francisco ("Butcher") Nuncio Jr., 34, of Houston;

€ George ("Porkchop") Duran, 39, of Baytown;

€ Jesus ("Peanut") Galvan Jr., 40, of Houston;

€ Johnny ("Kiki") Perez Jr., 35, of Houston;

€ Michael ("Mikeo") Thaman, 28, of Pasadena;

€ Jerry ("Craps") Villarreal Jr., 36, of Houston.

Already in prison are defendants Michael Almaraz, 27, Frank Cano, 28, Rene Gonzales Jr., 33, Juan Matamoros, 32, Mike Mendoza, 28, Albert Ortiz, 53, Willie Valdez, 43, Roberto Ybarra, 27, and Evaristo Torres, age unknown.