Las Vegas police along with several federal and local law enforcement agencies held a press conference Thursday to announce the indictment of multiple gang members in a racketeering case across the valley.
Assistant Sheriff Tom Roberts called the case "groundbreaking."
This is the first time a racketeering case has been able to bring down an entire gang organization, not just individuals.
"We're here to send a very strong, very loud message to the type of violence and terror perpetrated by this group will not be tolerated," Roberts said.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson said 'Operation Spartan Fist' was able to bring forward racketeering charges against 19 gang members apart of the same organization, but one suspect is still outstanding.
He has been identified as 18-year-old Julian Barboza. He is a Hispanic male, 6-feet 1-inches tall, 160 pounds and has '702' tattooed on his abdomen. Anyone with information about his location should call 911.
"These are hoodlums, these are somewhat terrorist, if you will, in our community that commit a number of violent crimes," Wolfson said.
Police believe the gang, centralized in North Las Vegas, is responsible for at least three murders in the valley along with several attempted murders, robberies, and sexual assaults.
"Las Vegas is a safer place today with these individuals behind bars," Roberts said.
Police also credited the reintroduction of the gang unit as a major asset in the operation.
They say they plan to use the same tactics they used to take down this gang, to help take out others. Right now, police say they are currently working on their second operation.
"I want to send a strong message to gang members in Las Vegas," Roberts said. "We say not in our town."
