Guilty pleas in San Manuel murder-for-hire case

Friday, April 18, 2008  

Two members of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California pleaded guilty for their role in a murder-for-hire case involving the Mexican Mafia.

Stacy Cheyenne Barajas-Nunez, 25, and her brother Erik Barajas, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and gang activity. Barajas-Nunez also pleaded to two drug charges and Barajas pleaded to an assault with a deadly weapon charge.

Despite admitting their crimes, Barajas-Nunez and Barajas will not have to serve prison time. They will be under home detention and electronic monitoring.

Salvador Hernandez, an alleged Mexican Mafia leader, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and gang activity and will serve 10 years in connection with the murder-for-hire plot.

Authorities say the Mexican Mafia has infiltrated the tribe and has extorted tribal members for their $100,000 monthly per capita payments.

Get the Story:
Plea deals reached in murder-for-hire case involving Mexican Mafia, tribal members (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/18)
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