Texas Syndicate Prison Gang Members Sentenced Today For Their Roles In Conspiring To Engage In Racketeering Offenses Including Murder And Attempted Murder

Two members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang, Adam Chavez and Alejandro Flores, were sentenced today by the Honorable Chief Judge Fred Biery, announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

Both defendants were named in a 2011 federal indictment that charged twenty-three members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang with multiple racketeering offenses that included murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, and drug-trafficking.

Adam Chavez, pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in racketeering. As part of his guilty plea Chavez admitted his role in July 2, 2011, the murder of PriscillaVidaurri, who was killed when she was struck by gunfire intended for her brother-in-law. Chavez and other members of the Texas Syndicate gang targeted a fellow member of the gang, but in a case of mistaken identity, shot at the brother of their intended target and in the process, killed Ms. Vidaurri and injured her husband. Neither Ms. Vidaurrri nor her husband had any connection to the gang. By his plea, Chavez also admitted to his role in the drug trafficking activities of the gang. Today, Chief Judge Biery sentenced Chavez to a 30 year prison sentence for his role in the conspiracy followed by a five year term of supervised release.

Alejandro Flores also pled guilty to conspiring to engage in racketeering. By his guilty plea, Flores admitted to having participated in a shooting of a San Antonio man on March 25, 2011, in which Flores and other members of the Texas Syndicate shot at a person they suspected was a rival gang member. As part of his guilty plea, Flores admitted his participation in a conspiracy to kill rival gang members. Today, Chief Judge Biery sentenced Flores to 10 years of imprisonment followed by a three year term of supervised release for his role in the conspiracy.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joey Contreras and Karen Norris. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, who were assisted by the San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Texas Department of Pardons and Parole.