Federal warrant names suspects in Las Vegas homicides
A recently unsealed search warrant filed in U.S. District Court shines some light on a deadly summer in Las Vegas.
Federal law enforcement agents, in a joint effort with police across the state, executed 20 search warrants statewide Thursday as part of “Operation Atonement.”
According to court documents, the Violent Crimes Task Force operation began four and a half years ago, targeting members of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang, which formed in the wake of the deadly 1980 Santa Fe prison riot. The investigation launched in 2015 when SNM leaders allegedly directed members to locate and kill the then-cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Corrections Department.
Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg said in a Thursday press release the operation was meant to send a clear message to those who plot to undermine the security of our communities and correctional facilities.
“The FBI has been working closely with our law enforcement partners for years to weaken and eventually eliminate this violent prison gang,” Langenberg said.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies executed six of the 20 search warrants in Las Vegas, one in Mora, one in Wagon Mound, one in Hernandez, two in Española and several others in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
The unsealed federal documents provide a lot of insight into Las Vegas’ violent summer.
Cruz Gallegos’ death
Cruz M. “Cruzito” Gallegos was shot and killed June 15. According to federal court documents, Gallegos was killed at the home of Marcos R. Ruiz, who has already been charged with murder and attempted murder in another case.
A witness identified Marcos Ruiz, along with his brother Arturo Ruiz and Juan “Juanito” Gallegos as those responsible for Cruz Gallegos’ death.
Federal informants said the shooting happened as the result of Cruz Gallegos stealing $70,000 worth of fentanyl from Marcos Ruiz.
Informants also allege Cruz Gallegos was an SNM prospect. Cruz Gallegos’ father, Glen “Gato” Greenier, was known by federal agents to be an SNM member. Greenier died from a drug overdose in 2010.
Leroy Lucero’s death
Leroy “Smurf” Lucero was shot and killed in his driveway on July 22. According to the search warrant, federal authorities believe his death was “engineered by leaders within the SNM and perpetrated by members and associates of the gang.”
The search warrant states that Lucero is a former SNM leader who had testified against members in pretrial motion hearings, and was a government witness during a lengthy trial.
A witness to Lucero’s death told FBI agents that a vehicle pulled into Lucero’s driveway and honked the horn. Lucero came out of his home and spoke briefly with the occupants of the vehicle. The witness then heard three gunshots, and saw Lucero crawl toward his house saying, “They shot me. Call the cops.”
Witnesses said they saw two men exit the vehicle: Robert Padilla — the head of a drug trafficking organization — and Gary Coca — a suspected member of Padilla’s drug organization, and prospective SNM member. Witness said both men had handguns pointed at Lucero, but when neighbors came outside with firearms, Coca and Padilla returned to the vehicle and fled the area.
One witness identified Marcos Ruiz as the driver, but another witness said it was Coca. A gun matching the general characteristics of the gun used to kill Lucero was seized from a vehicle driven by Coca.
Federal authorities said Coca is also suspected of attempted murder following a July 16 drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. The motive for the shooting is still unknown.
Coca appeared in federal court in Albuquerque Thursday to face charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and robbery by interference with commerce by threats or violence.
Marcos Carrillo’s death
Marcos “Mark” Carrillo was shot and killed Aug. 3. Marcos Ruiz has been charged with murder in his death.
Police say Marcos Ruiz shot Gilbert Montoya shortly after killing Carrillo. Montoya was able to seek help at a relatives’ home, and later told police it was Marcos Ruiz who’d shot him.
Carrillo, Montoya and Marcos Ruiz are identified in the federal search warrant as being members of the Westside Locos street gang. Marcos Ruiz is also believed to be an associate of SNM.
Multiple informants said Carrillo was related to Cruz Gallegos, and according to obituaries published in the Optic and posted online, Carrillo was Cruz Gallegos’ uncle.
2018 death of Jeromy Vasquez
Jeromy “Joker” Vasquez was shot and killed in 2018, and until now, little was known about the events that lead to his death.
According to the warrant, someone set fire to a vehicle belonging to Vasquez. Vasquez reportedly believed Albert Herrera was responsible because Herrera was thought to be involved romantically with Vasquez’s wife. However, two federal informants claimed it was Lucero who’d set fire to the car, on orders from Padilla.
Herrera checked into Alta Vista Regional Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds about 45 minutes after Vasquez was killed.
Federal authorities believe Vasquez and Herrera got into a shootout in front of Herrera’s home. Vasquez was armed with a pistol; Herrera was armed with an AK-47 rifle.
LVPD detectives executed a search warrant on Herrera’s home, locating a loaded AK-47 magazine. Herrera was never charged in the shooting.
