San Manuel relatives torn apart over gang case

Friday, December 14, 2007  

Gang infiltration into the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is affecting a prominent tribal family.

James Ramos, the tribe's unity and cultural awareness director, obtained a two-year restraining order against his cousin, Kenneth Robert Barajas. Ramos says he was threatened by Barajas over a gang-related homicide case involving Barajas' children.

Stacy Cheyenne Barajas-Nunez, 25, and Erik Barajas, 35, are charged in a murder-for-hire plot involving a Mexican Mafia drug kingpin. Authorities say the gang has infiltrated the tribe.

The elder Barajas denies threatening to hurt Ramos. He says Ramos once led a troubled life but turned it around.

Get the Story:
Restraining order filed against father of murder-for-hire suspects (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 12/14)
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Relevant Links:
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians - http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov

Related Stories:
Woman in San Manuel murder case sentenced (12/6)
San Manuel members in court on murder charges (9/27)
Mexican gangs said to have infiltrated tribe (9/20)
Warrants served on San Manuel in major meth bust (12/13)