Nationally known anti-gang leader accused in killing won't get bail

A federal judge on Tuesday denied bail to a nationally known gang interventionist who was arrested last week on federal racketeering and conspiracy charges.

Judge Alicia G. Rosenberg said Alex Sanchez, the executive director of Homies Unidos, poses a risk to the community.

Sanchez, who has been praised for his role as a charismatic peacemaker among Los Angeles gangs, is accused of conspiring with fellow gang members to kill a man in El Salvador, as well as other crimes. Federal prosecutors said Sanchez had duped the community while leading a double life as a gang leader.

According to authorities, Sanchez held ties to the Mara Salvatrucha, an infamous transnational gang. Wiretaps from 2006 caught Sanchez and others plotting the death of a rival, according to prosecutors.

Sanchez sat somberly at the front of a courtroom overflowing with supporters as his attorney called the allegations laughable and weak. The attorney read more than 100 letters from community members pleading with Rosenberg to release Sanchez on bail.

But Rosenberg rejected their arguments, concluding that "the issue of danger is powerful."

Sanchez's supporters gathered for a news conference outside the court building after the hearing. They held signs, chanted his name and vowed to fight for a fair trial. They said Sanchez's attorney might appeal the bail ruling.

-- Esmeralda Bermudez

Photo: Supporters dispute charges that gang interventionist Alex Sanchez has links to the Mara Salvatrucha and pleaded with the judge to release him on bail. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[nat turner]

It is like those preachers . They are almost always in cahoots with the devil .

[me]

I'm ok with that. Let's get rid of anyone involved in gangs. Better yet let's get rid of anyone that's a mexican. Anchor babies included. Rescind citizenship to all anchor babies.

[BGuzman]

I would like to point out that Alex Sanchez is from El Salvador, a country unto itself - not Mexico, thus he is not mexican. If these comments are being monitored, racism should be excluded from the conversation. There is no way to have constructive dialogue with racist at the table.

[me2]

Let's help these kids get out of gangs and show them that there's a world out there with opportunities and no hate or racism.

[Pam]

I'm ok with that. Let's get rid of anyone involved in gangs. Better yet let's get rid of anyone that's a mexican. Anchor babies included. Rescind citizenship to all anchor babies.

To the Times "Moderator": If you moderate these comments, why would you let such a racist and stupid (stupid and racist are pretty interchangeable) post to these comments? I notice that the little racist coward couldn't even put his name. I bet he's a real genuis. Disgusting.

[George Soros]

Just put a bullet in his head. End of story. Next case...

[John]

The guy is not Mexican you Pam, he's Salvadorean....See, people like you complain about immigrants but do not realize the real problem in this diverse country (whether you like it or not) is racist and ethnocentric comments like yours that seem to fuel people's anger about our fellow Mexicans. Please do not generalize and do yourself a favor, start by not eating out at your local Mexican restaurant which I bet you do....You're the real genius !!!!!!

[Anti Uncle]

just read the Homicide report of race and deaths - simple deduction as to what races are predominately at hand. sadly, the smae race on race wars have been going on for decades--Yet most could care less--this spills over into evryday life and has altered the True American advancement into just barely above that of a 3rd world country.Bottom line: Theodore Roosevelt said it bes in 1907--'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' Wake up people--we are NO longer United

[Mike]

Ahh!! go figure people, gang interventionist use the role to conduct gang business for themselves and the prison gangs which control them. Another waste of money

[jk]

anti uncle should learn Chippewa, Navajo, Sioux or some other language of the real Americans. what a sheltered ignorant buffoon he brought to light.

[Joe, California]

His supporters appear to be gang members themselves! just look at the terrorists who hide their faces behind a mask, just like a terrorist who is to much of a coward to show his face. Why do peaceful demonstrators need to hide their face unless they are breaking the law!

[Lisa]

Why does racism come up? This is an article about a person being charged with a murder?

Perhaps he's a danger or a flight risk - let the case unfold before taking sides.

I think that anyone committing murders or other heinous crimes is not the type of person, natural born or immigrant, that adds to the American society.

As far as racism goes, anyone calling themselves an "__________" American is setting themselves apart from others and this promotes racism. You are either an American or you are not an American. This racism spills over into many facets of life - the workplace, justice system, etc. All Americans must be treated the same or it's discrimination and racism.

[Tom]

First of,f to call someone a racist is trying to read ones mind. Second it is to shut people up and reach for sympathy in an attempt to make ones self superior to another.

This guy evidently believes in and eye for and eye and as Ghandi said. "If it is truly an eye for and eye the whole world would be blind".
Like so many of these self righteous people they become the judge, jury and executioner. No better than the people he was supposedly trying reform.

[WJGC]

Here's video footage of the press conference following the bail hearing yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreAlexSanchez.

We supprt Alex against these ridiculous charges!

[ML]

While we are all human beings, it is easy to get caught up in the man-made constructs that inhibit our thinking capacities. As a scoiety that promotes democracy, freedom and justice for all, we should not be so quick to judge another human being before a trial. INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, remember? Anyone who thinks otherwise, just happens to have a biased view.