Killer allegedly used unemployment checks to help his gang

A convicted murderer who allegedly cashed $30,000 worth of unemployment checks through family members used the money for his street gang, officials said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department alleges that Anthony Garcia used family members and friends to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance checks, according to spokesman Capt. Mike Parker.

Parker said the unemployment money was being "used to benefit a criminal gang." Some of money went to Garcia’s fellow incarcerated gang members, he added.

Parker did not say whether Garcia would face additional charges.

"Theft, drug sales and violent crimes are an integral part of the gang culture," added Sgt. Kevin Lloyd of the sheriff's homicide bureau in a statement. "We will continue to go wherever gang members and their associates commit their crimes. Our goal is to reduce violence and solve crimes, and that is what we are doing. This investigation is continuing."

Police arrested Garcia’s father, Juan Garcia, 47, and girlfriends Sandra Jaimez, 45, and  Cynthia Limas, 25, on unemployment fraud and related charges Thursday, Parker said.

The three suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Monday in a courthouse in Whittier.

“It’s pretty appalling when you think about somebody sitting in jail collecting unemployment,” Parker said.

The Sheriff’s Department photographed an extensive tattoo of Garcia's after picking him up during a routine traffic stop. The measure is routine with suspected gang members. Later, a detective investigating a 2004 slaying outside a Pico Rivera liquor store was flipping through photos when he was stunned to see the crime scene inked in precise detail across the young man’s chest.

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-- Jack Dolan and Shelby Grad

Photo: Anthony Garcia. Credit: L.A. County Sheriff's Department