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HOUSTON, Texas — Authorities continue their fight against gang-related crime in Houston.
Recent operations have led to multiple arrests and crackdowns on organized crime groups operating in the area.
Bandidos Motorcycle Club Under Federal Scrutiny
Members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club recently paid tribute to 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, whose body was found on February 20 near the Trinity River.
Meanwhile, the club itself has been the target of federal investigations. In February, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 alleged Bandidos members on charges tied to organized crime.
Federal Agencies Target International Gangs
In recent weeks, federal agencies, including the FBI and ICE, have arrested suspected members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, two notorious gangs with roots in Central America that have expanded into the U.S.
Other criminal groups have also been dismantled. Last August, authorities charged 20 people in connection with the Rich Kingz, a gang accused of running a violent drug operation in south Houston.
Additionally, an unnamed gang based in the Fifth Ward faced allegations of robbing pharmacies in Arkansas to supply Houston’s drug trade.
In 2022, Houston police arrested several members of the Freemoney Gang, accusing them of violent crimes and disruption in southeast Houston.
Gang Presence in Houston
Public safety officials estimate that more than 300 gangs, with approximately 20,000 members, operate in the greater Houston area.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle these groups.
Is Gang Membership Illegal in Texas?
Texas law does not criminalize gang membership but enhances penalties for crimes committed under gang affiliation.
Under Texas law, a “criminal street gang” consists of three or more individuals engaged in ongoing illegal activity.
The most common charge linked to gang members is “engaging in organized criminal activity.”
This statute allows prosecutors to charge individuals for crimes committed collectively, including murder, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
Additionally, Texas law prohibits coercion into gang membership and allows the state to label gangs as public nuisances, enabling asset seizures.
In 2023, Texas expanded its laws to classify foreign terrorist organizations under its organized crime statutes, applying similar restrictions to groups like Tren de Aragua.
Federal laws also target gang-related crime. Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, prosecutors can charge individuals involved in organized crime networks.
How Do Police Identify Gang Members?
Police often claim individuals are gang members based on visible affiliations, attire, and behavior.
For instance, in a recent indictment against the Bandidos, prosecutors cited members’ leather vests and patches as evidence of their involvement in violent activities.
In other cases, hand signs, tattoos, and social media posts have been used as indicators of gang affiliation.
Last year, two men accused of murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray were allegedly linked to Tren de Aragua based on clothing, hand gestures, and specific emojis in text messages.
Concerns About Wrongful Gang Labeling
The use of gang databases has been controversial. Critics argue that inaccurate information can lead to wrongful accusations, affecting individuals’ lives.
In 2022, a federal appeals court found flaws in Boston’s gang database, leading to the wrongful identification of an immigrant as an MS-13 member, jeopardizing his asylum claim.
This prompted calls to abolish gang databases in cities like Chicago and Portland.
With ongoing efforts to combat organized crime, Houston authorities remain focused on dismantling gangs and reducing violence in the city.
