Four Leaders Of La Asociación Ñeta Prison Gang Found Guilty For Violating The Rico Act In Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Yesterday evening, after a 10-day trial, a jury found four members of La Asociación ÑETA guilty of racketeering, and drug trafficking, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. United States District Court visiting Judge Timothy Hillman presided over the trial. As of today, 26 defendants have plead guilty, 19 defendants are pending trial and one defendant passed away.

The jury found defendants Rolando Millán-Machuca, a.k.a. “Rolo”; Miguel Rivera-Calcaño, a.k.a. “Guelo/ Kikirimiau”; Roberto Casado-Berríos, a.k.a. “Bobe/Bobel”; and Giordano Santana-Meléndez, a.k.a. “Viejo Ten” guilty of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and of participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Rolando Millán-Machuca was also found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering activity for the murder of Alexis Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Alexis El Loco” on November 6, 2014.

In May 2016, a federal indictment was unsealed charging 50 members of La Asociación ÑETA a prison gang that operated in the prisons of the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“PRDCR”). La Asociación ÑETA is a criminal organization that engages in drug trafficking and murder. The main purpose of the organization is to make money. Inmates originally formed La Asociación ÑETA as a means to advocate for their rights within the PRDCR. The enterprise, however, evolved into a criminal organization that engaged in drug trafficking and murder within the prisons of the PRDCR, as it was proven during trial through testimony and evidence. The enterprise makes money by introducing multi-kilogram quantities of drugs into the PRDCR prisons for profit, and by engaging in murders for hire.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández was in charge of the prosecution of the case with the assistance of AUSA Scott Anderson. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections collaborated during the investigation. The now convicts face 10 years up to life in prison. Rolando Millán-Machuca faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Alexis Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Alexis El Loco.”

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