Feds, locals join forces to federally prosecute gang members held in area jails

LOS ANGELES - More than 20 Southern California gang members awaiting release from area jails and state prisons are facing new criminal charges today as a part of "Operation Winter Warning," an expanded effort to target incarcerated foreign national gang members for federal prosecution.

Since the operation began three weeks ago, a total of 23 criminal alien gang members have been charged with re-entry after deportation, a felony violation that carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Six of those defendants have been released to federal authorities and will make their initial appearance in U.S. District Court here today. Among them is Julio Cesar Mata-Sosa, a 34-year-old Mexican national whose history includes seven prior deportations, and past criminal convictions for robbery, possession and sale of drugs, and auto theft. Also slated to appear in court today on felony re-entry charges is Ascencion Hernandez-Perez, 38, a Mexican national with reputed ties to the Valerio Street gang, who has prior convictions for making criminal threats and domestic violence. Like Mata, Hernandez has been previously deported seven times.