FBI says alleged Azteca led gang in El Paso

By Danie Borunda / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 04/18/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT

A reputed Barrio Azteca gang lieutenant arrested last week was involved in an internal power struggle and at one point ran the gang's operations in El Paso, an FBI agent testified Thursday during a federal detention hearing.

Miguel Angel Esqueda, aka "Angelillo," is accused of racketeering, drug dealing and the extortion of local drug dealers by the collection of "taxes" estimated to have raised between $4,000 to $10,000 a month.

Esqueda, who is the 15th person charged in the ongoing Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) case, was denied bond by a U.S. magistrate judge.

"At the time (between 2004-2005), he was leader of the streets of El Paso and he issued orders and directives" to gang members, FBI agent Samantha Mikeska testified regarding Esqueda.

Mikeska said Esqueda and reputed gang capo David "Chicho" Meraz were backed by different factions within the gang and each was in charge of El Paso at different times.

"If David Meraz is a capo, he is the one directing the show, not an underling," Esqueda's lawyer Ray Velarde said, arguing his client should be granted bond.