NCJ Number
138958
Date Published
1992
Length
25 pages
Annotation
A case study of a youth gang in Beaumont, Texas, indicates that responding to illegal youth gang activities requires a systematic approach incorporating intervention, suppression, and prevention.
Abstract
The youth gang had terrorized Beaumont area residents for several months, and businesses and homes were burglarized. The gang used firearms to threaten victims; the gang also kidnapped individuals and released them only after they produced large sums of money or cocaine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was asked to assist in investigating the gang because of the heinous nature of the gang's criminal activities. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas worked closely with a task force of FBI and local police departments to prosecute gang members for drug and firearms charges and violations of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It was determined that U.S. Attorneys can take a leadership role in the prosecution of youth gangs who threaten the security and order of communities. Procedures followed in arresting, prosecuting, and adjudicating juveniles are described.