Gang members convicted of racketeering, murder
Territory included Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton
By JEFFRY SCOTT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Five members of a street gang that operated in three metro counties for more than a decade committing robberies, carjackings, selling drugs and dispensing death in gang warfare were convicted Thursday in federal court in Atlanta of racketeering and violent crimes.

The reputed leader of the SUR-13 gang, Armando “Charra” Prudente, 34, and two others — Roberto “Charrita” Sandoval, 25, and Jorge “Shadow” Flores, 28 — were convicted of murdering Rogelio Guzman in an April 24, 1999, drive-by shooting outside a Happy Shop convenience store on South Norcross Tucker Road in Gwinnett County.

According to evidence presented at trial, Prudente ordered a drive-by shooting in the territory of rival gang Brownside Locos after members of that gang had fired shots at a SUR-13 hangout. Guzman, 23, who was not a member of a gang, was chosen as a target because of the car he was driving: a low-rider, old model Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Another member of the gang, Israel “Mananitas” Cruz, 29, was convicted of the December 13, 2003, murder of Florentino Marcial, 21, after a fight broke out between rival gangs at a party in an apartment complex on Lindbergh Drive in Atlanta.

According to testimony at trial, after exchanging insults and obscenities with a member of the rival gang, Cruz pulled out a handgun and started firing into the crowd. Marcial, who wasn’t a gang member, was shot in the back as he ran, killing him instantly.

Ricardo “Kiwi” Gama, 29, was convicted of racketeering and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said the 2005 indictment of the gang, which operates in Gwinnett, DeKalb and Fulton counties, “broke the leadership structure of SUR-13. Today’s convictions should also have a chilling effect on persons who join gangs and commit such heinous crimes.”

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 19. Prudente, Sandoval, Cruz and Flores are expected to be sentenced to life in prison. Gama could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine up to $750,000.

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