Mexikanemi is known as the Texas Mexican Mafia in the Texan penal systems. It functions separately from the original California Mexican Mafia (La eMe). The Texas branch identifies itself as "Mexikanemi," (Soldiers of Aztlan), or La EMI, while the California branch identifies itself as La EME. In addition, California's branch of the Mexican Mafia calls itself the Surenos (denoting set affiliation). Mexikanemi was formed as an offshoot from the Mexican Mafia in Texas by Heriberto "Herbie" Huerta and Jose Lopez in 1984. The prison gang operates in both prisons and the streets. The gang is involved in crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, extortion, robbery and loan sharking. The gang is highly organized and operates under a strict paramilitary structure. There is an estimated 2,000 Mexikanemi members in cities across the U.S. and Mexico.
Symbols: Mexican eagle w/sun and crossed daggers, La EMI, Mexikanemi, 13
Territory: Texas prison system, San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Mexico
Allies: Mexican Mafia, Aryan Brotherhood
Rivals: Texas Syndicate, Nuestra Familia, Black Guerrilla Family
Members: 2,000
Ethnicity: Hispanic
The Mexikanemi, sometimes confused with the Mexican Mafia was founded by San Antonio natives Heriberto "Herb" Huerta and Jose Lopez in 1984. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In 1983, the Texas Syndicate refuses to recognize the Mexikanemi as a prison gang and declares war. Over 80 gang members are killed in an 8 year battle for control. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In 1988, the Mexikanemi declare war on the Barrio Azteca after tensions arise over a fight between both gangs in a Coffield unit recreation yard. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In 1990, the Mexikanemi and Texas Syndicate agree on a truce. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In 1992, Mexikanemi members murder a Barrio Azteca member at the Clemens unit in Brazoria, Texas. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In December 1994 Mexikanemi members murder Richard Bracknell El Paso County jail. Bracknall, a former Mexikanemi member is beat and strangled to death because he did not follow gang rules. (El Paso Times)
In 1995, 2 members of the Aryan Circle are stabbed by the Mexikanemi in a prison yard fight at the J.B. Connally unit in Kenedy, Texas.
On February 14, 1996, the Texas based Mexikanemi and California Mexican Mafia declare war on each other after members of the Mexican Mafia stab 2 members of the Mexikanemi at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In December of 1996, The Aryan Circle and Mexikanemi agree on a peace treaty over a war that resulted in 13 murders in units across Texas.
On June of 1997, the Mexikanemi and Barrio Azteca settle a peace agreement and organize a commission called “La Mesa Grande” at the Cofield unit between high ranking members of the Mexikanemi, Texas Syndicate and Barrio Azteca. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In August 1997, Mexikanemi members raid the house of a drug dealer who refused to pay the gang 10% of their drug earnings. Five people are blindfolded, bound with duct tape and shot repeatedly execution style. (Associated Press)
On January 29, 1998, leaders of the Mexikanemi and Mexican Mafia declared peace with each other. (Gang Intelligence 101)
In 1998, another federal indictment results in the conviction of Mexikanemi General Robert "Beaver" Perez. Perez is sentenced to death for 19 execution style murders committed in 1994 – 1997.
In November 1999, Mexikanemi members raid the house of Juanita Ybarra, then strangle her to death with a telephone cord. A contract was put on her life after she refused to pay the Mexikenemi a 10% cut of her marijuana dealing profits. Vasquez v State, 67 S.W.3d 229 (Tex. Crim. App., 2002)
In 1999, the Mexikanemi declares war on the Raza Unida over a conflict involving drugs in the streets of Corpus Christi, Texas. A member of the Raza Unida is brutally murdered at the Connally unit in Kenedy, Texas by Mexikanemi members. (Gang Intelligence 101)
On September 14, 2000, members of the HPL "Hermandad Pistoleros Latinos" murder Mexikanemi member Adrian Torres in San Antonio, Texas over a cocaine deal gone bad. Saenz v. State, 131 S.W.3d 43 (TX, 2003)
In 2000, both the Mexikanemi and Raza Unida settle on a truce after 1 year of war fare. (Gang Intelligence 101)
On March 1, 2001, Mexikanemi members in the Michael Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice kill inmate Rogelio Garza for stealing money and heroin from the gang. Loredo v. State, No. 12-06-00287-CR (Tex. App. 8/22/2007) (Tex. App., 2007)
In July of 2004, Federal investigators freeze the prison trust fund accounts of Mexikanemi founder Heriberto "Herb" Huerta and vice president Benito "Viejito" Alonzo. Officials suspect that the $23,000 both gang members had in their trust fund was money raised from illegal activity.
On August 2004 Bexar County Sheriff detectives arrest 26 Mexikanemi members and associates on federal drug, firearms and money laundering charges. (Associated Press)
On January 15, 2005, two members of the Mexikanemi are arrested in Laredo, Texas for the brutal murders of Roberto Patino and Enrique Botello. The killers reportedly kidnapped the victims, gunned them down, and then burned their bodies in the trunk of a car. The prison gang ordered the murders in retaliation for money owed by the victims. Gallardo v. State, No. 4-06-00057-CR (Tex. App. 7/25/2007) (Tex. App., 2007)
On March 2007, Robert "Beaver" Perez, leader of the Mexikanemi is executed by the state of Texas for his involvement of over 19 gang related murders. (Associated Press)
In early 2008, a mass grave is discovered in an Atascosa County ranch and law enforcement officials link the murders to the Mexikanemi. (San Antonio Express News)
In 2008, dozens of Mexikanemi leaders are arrested on racketeering charges that involve more than 20 execution style murders in San Antonio, Austin and Atascosa County. (San Antonio Express News)
In 2007, Mexikanemi member Robert Anthony Martinez Perez is scheduled for lethal injection for his role in the 1994 execution style murder of fellow member Luis “Blue” Adames. The killing came as a result of a power struggle with in higher ranks of the gang. (San Antonio Express News)