Arrest of anti-gang leader Alex Sanchez sparks criticism of gang outreach programs

Former MS-13 gang member and anti-gang crusader Alex Sanchez was taken into custody today as a part of a federal indictment of several MS-13 gang members. Sanchez, along with the other suspects named in the indictment, is accused by the FBI of being involved in multiple slayings, extortion and assaults in the Lafayette Park area.

During his youth, Sanchez was an active member of MS-13. After violating parole in 1994, Sanchez was deported to his home country of El Salvador. He returned to the United States a year later and formally renounced his affiliations with MS-13. He would go on to help organize the local chapter of Homies Unidos, an nonprofit organization dedicated to gang violence prevention.

Sanchez gained notoriety a few years ago when authorities attempted to deport him a second time.  Several notable figures came to Sanchez's aid, including former state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), who testified in his defense. He was eventually granted political asylum after it was found that he had been harassed by the LAPD.

The original L.A. Now article on the arrest has spurred a significant amount of debate. Many readers contended that Sanchez should not have been granted political asylum, and they were critical of gang outreach programs.

"Ho hum. The only ones shocked are those that haven't been reading the paper for YEARS. It's old news that the government is paying "former" gang members to do "outreach." Yes, your tax dollars are funding gang crime and killings. Disgusting and stupid, but no one really cares," wrote windu.

"Silly to think that he actually left MS-13! Silly court to have overturned the deportation and let him stay in the country AFTER he had re-entered illegally! Silly Tom Hayden! Why must we spend tax dollars prosecuting and incarcerating these vicious criminals? I say send them back to their country of origin to rot in their jails! Enough of this!!!! And this is coming from a self-described latino lefty liberal! I am so tired of politicians in general and Latino politicians in particular who don't have the guts to say no to illegal immigration, no to gangs, no to lawlessness because they fear losing face with their latino constituents," said Frankie.

(Read more after the jump)

"This guy is a criminal. always has been always will be. Were all better off without Homies United. This guy fooled the media into thinking he was A-OK. But he still was a criminal dressed in self righteous clothes. And he used this seeming legal org. to commit further criminal acts. Close down homies untied. Its time we stopped pussyfooting around people jsut because they have a dark complexion," added Go ahead and mod me.

Several readers came to Sanchez's defense.

"We do not assume guilt just because someone has been indicted. Many innocent persons have been indicted in history, so I urge everyone not to jump to conclusions. In this case the criminal justice system might have ulterior motives to prosecute Alex Sanchez. Be skeptical!" said juddles.

What was your reaction to Alex Sanchez's arrest?

-- Brendan Bigelow

Photo: Protesters gather in front of Rampart Station in 2000 to show support for Alex Sanchez. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Norest Mehoffer]

Michelle Obama is from Planet of the Apes, for real, google it

[CHAPPEL]

As a personal friend of the Sanchez family, I find this another sad chapter in the totalitarian tip-toe of martial law. We yellow-bellied cowards would rather call the cops than talk to our neighbors, blog people out of the country than embrace repentance, and keep our heads in the sand rather than face the fact that our cowardice and ignorance keeps the real drug-dealers and terrorist employed by the CIA working and put our brothers and sisters in jail for feel-good-PR as we live in the reality-show fantasy of what used to be a free andd independent nation. BOOO! I'd break my mirror if I were you.

[Andrea Luquetta]

Please remember that Alex Sanchez and everyone else arrested today is Innocent until proven guilty. Its awful that anyone's quick assumptions and speculation will undermine all the good the Homies Unidos and other anti-gang organizations have done in all of our communities. Lets not be so quick to tar and feather those who have risked and sacrificed and worked hard to make life better for others.

[CO]

Alex Sanchez has earned the respect of many people for a reason: he has worked towards building peace in the community and has risked his life to bring people together. His message has been to treat others with loving kindness and compassion, instead of violence. We should not act out of ignorance and bash his legacy of peace and community organizing or criticize the work of non-profits like Homies Unidos who work to prevent gang violence. Alex Sanchez is innocent until proven guilty. We should wait to hear what his lawyers have to say and what evidence the Feds have against him before jumping to any conclusions. Contrary to popular belief, we actually do have a Constitution and due process rights in this country.

[co]

Alex Sanchez has earned the respect of many people for a reason: he has worked towards building peace in the community and has risked his life to bring people together. His message has been to treat others with loving kindness and compassion, instead of violence. We should not act out of ignorance and bash his legacy of peace and community organizing or criticize the work of non-profits like Homies Unidos who work to prevent gang violence. Alex Sanchez is innocent until proven guilty. We should wait to hear what his lawyers have to say and what evidence the Feds have against him before jumping to any conclusions. Contrary to popular belief, we actually do have a Constitution and due process rights in this country.

[Joshua Kim]

We should keep in mind that Alex' deliberate exposure to and on-going relationships with former and current gang members were essential to the stated mission of Homies Unidos. Coupled with the relative ease with which "conspiracy" charge is brought against an associate of a current gang member, it isn't difficult to see how all this shocking development may ultimately prove to be an indictment against our broken society that relies on criminalization of as many people as possible, to the exclusion of innovative alternatives such as the one Alex and Homies Unidos bravely pioneered.

[Mr. Cynic]

Yet another attempt by the United States to target Latin@ community leaders in an effort to destroy that community...

[Luis Villa]

I met the man at a conference for El Salvadoran university students at UCLA and I have nothing but positive things to say about Alex. His speech was inspiring and had all the tone of a man who has turned the other cheek and frowned upon his past. I questioned him extensively and never once felt that the man had a facade. I'm curious to see what 'insider' gave the tip and what crooked agents took the bite. A man like Alex does dangerous work by drawing gang members away from gangs- where members are assets and nothing more. I will closely monitor the events that unfold because this is disheartening more than it is shocking.

[Jack]

I love how LA Times posts all the more negative comments first. I guess fuelling people's anger works. Here's the taste of the truth. I'm a therapist who worked with Alex at a local school. Alex cares about kids and is committed to helping kids in gangs. Period. He helps mediate problems with gang members (so they don't end up killing themselves), he does interventions, he educates and he fights for the wellbeing of our kids. If you're upset because the police says that he's still in MS and is doing drive bys as well as slanging than you must be watching too much Southland...Please...

[mr. scott]

The best anti-gang mediators are the ones who are completely out of the life, at the same time maintain relationships, and are still respected. They are the exception, not the rule. they are the ones, using their influence to curve at risk youth. If there is no youth, there is no future. My kid isn't the brightest, and I don't give up on him. I don't think these individuals should give up on their kids, their youth, or their future as a community. For everyone reading this that is disgusted, be thankful you have a safe community. This particular Los Angeles community wasn't given a present day david, who killed the giant goliath, they were given an Alex sanchez, who tried. At some point in our lives we deserve second chances to do it right. Alex sanchez did for quite a while, we are all subject to justice, we just have to find a new head of homies unidos, to keep fighting the good fight.

[Guilty2U]

For those of you that are simply here to read the blog for indepth information, here it tiz:

Alex Sanchez and the work that Homies Unidos has done for over 10 years in this city has saved countless lives. Probably yours if you drive down 6th Street from Downtown to your nice Westside neighborhood.

His dedication to the youth and families of this city cannot be questioned. The work he was able to do with these lost souls was in no way easy. But he did it. He didn't ask for medical coverage, over time or a cost of living adjustment. I'm sure he had his share of furlough days before it became known as a shared sacrifice.

Alex has worked side-by-side with former rivals to create gang truces between some of the most dangerous gangs in LA. Putting his life in danger. He has done a job that many of us would not be able to do for all the stimulous money.

LAPD cannot keep our streets safe even though they take more than 50% of the city budget. LAPD cannot work alone. They know this. Many times they look to the very same organizations and individuals that protest harrassment and abuse to solve crimes and reduce violence. They do this because organizations like Homies Unidos and the LAPD have the same end goal: keep our communities safe.

So Alex has tattoos and a homeboy gottie. Have you seen some of the "Body Art" on many of our beloved peace officers? I think we can now invest in a tattoo removal program exclusively for LAPD. What do you say Chief Bratton? Wait. I forgot about the budget.

I have no doubt that Alex be released soon. It will not be because of silly loophole or because Mark Garragos will come to his aid. It will be because Alex Sanchez is a peace maker and because Alex Sanchez is changing lives and doing the work that needs to get done to keep our streets safe.

Free Alex Sanchez!

[kgomez]

I kno Alex personally and have spoke to men and women whose lives have been changed by him. He is one of the most important peacemakers in California for 2 reason. 1)he works to influence peace and change amongst men and women who are new arrivals to America, those who are vulnerable to needing and creating community and do so thru gangs, and 2)he helps those(& their families) who are struggling to live positive lives after gangs. Alex Sanchez is a hero to so many. This arrest is the result of America not understanding the role of EX-gang members in anti-gang wk, but not understanding the what anti-gang work looks like and how it impacts everyone.

[mjl525]

Alex Sanchez is not only one of the most influential members of this community but he is also a good man.
We meet Alex at a Presentation at Homies Unidos and he blew us all away with his passion in helping other ex-gang members get out of that lifestyle.
He made a huge impact in this community and in our lives.

He is one of the very few peole in this area who has a genuine passion in making a change in this community.

Thank you Alex for everything and we appreciate all your work.

[chemo]

LOL I wonder if the Feds will indict Troy Garity as well since he is the chairman of Homies Unidos. You wouldn't know that since the cowards took down their website...The LA Times article said Sanchez cried when the Feds read him the charges. BOO HOO!! Couldn't have happened to a nicer street terrorist. Deport him back to ES and El Sombra Negra!

[dj19]

Assumptions, assumptions we all make them and confict people on them. You know what the saying is "Don't assume-because in the end you make an a#* out of yourself!"

[AMartinez86]

Assumptions!! As inperfect humans we tend to assume and judge with out knowing all the details. The last time I checked we had Civil Rights, which give us the right to a fair trial and presumed innocent until proven otherwise. In this case Alex is innocent and the theory of entrapment come to my mind. I can personally say that Alex has always been a loving, caring and decent person. I went to school with Alex in Sherman Oaks and he was the reason why I didn't join a gang. He impacted my life greatly to the point that when Oscar was attending LACC I tried doing the same with him, because even after high school I was thankful of all he had done for me back in middle school. Alex will be FREE and he will STAY in the states, because he is a GREAT ASSET to our communities. All you haters, you should try doing his job for a day and see if you can handle the pressure of saving children's lives daily. ALEX KEEP YOUR HEAD UP...You and your family are in my prayers...

[bigboy]

dang man the u.s. got nothing else to do