OAKLAND, CA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California today announced the conclusion of a sweeping prosecution against the notorious Nuestra Familia (NF) prison gang, with four of its top leaders sentenced to significant federal prison terms. This final round of sentencings brings the total number of convicted gang members and associates to 40, marking a major success in dismantling the violent criminal enterprise.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers handed down sentences ranging from 120 months to 175 months following their convictions at a trial held in 2024. David Cervantes, known by his alias “DC,” and James Perez, or “Conejo,” each received 120 months. Guillermo Solorio, also known as “Capone” or “Caps,” and George Franco, or “Puppet,” were each sentenced to 175 months in federal prison.
The sentencings cap a three-month trial that meticulously detailed the defendants’ roles within the NF. Court documents and trial evidence established that Cervantes, 76; Perez, 70; Solorio, 45; and Franco, 59, were all senior figures on the gang’s General Council, the primary decision-making body for the NF’s vast and violent criminal operations. Their activities included murder conspiracies, attempted murder, widespread drug distribution, and complex money laundering schemes.
Specifically, David Cervantes held the esteemed position as one of three “Generals” at the apex of the NF’s organizational structure, specifically within the “General Advocates Office.” In this capacity, Cervantes made final, critical decisions concerning the governance and discipline of the enterprise, including authorizing attacks or murders for violations of gang rules.
James Perez also served as a General, specifically overseeing the “General of Prisons” role. His responsibilities included maintaining the NF’s authority over all gang regiments and their illicit activities throughout the California prison system.
George Franco was a member of the NF’s “Inner Council” and commanded the San Joaquin County Regiment. As an Inner Council member, Franco advised the three NF Generals, including Cervantes and Perez, and participated in the General Council’s significant decisions regarding the gang’s overall affairs, beyond just member discipline.
Similarly, Guillermo Solorio was part of the NF’s “Inner Council,” advising the Generals. He also served as the Regimental Commander for the Monterey County Street Regiment, overseeing criminal activities, notably large-scale drug trafficking, carried out by subservient Norteno street gangs.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian underscored the widespread impact of the gang’s operations: “The brutal violence and drug trafficking that this criminal enterprise ran from within state prisons touched every county in the Bay Area. With these sentences, 40 gang leaders and associates have now been convicted and brought to justice for the violence they caused inside and outside prison walls, and the community is now safer as a result.” He further credited the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions, alongside his office’s dedicated legal team, for securing these convictions.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani hailed the outcome as a significant victory: “The sentencing of these four top Nuestra Familia gang leaders marks the final chapter in the successful dismantling of one of the most violent and entrenched prison gangs operating in California. Through sustained, coordinated efforts with our law enforcement partners, we have brought to justice 40 members and associates of this dangerous gang who spread violence and fear inside prison walls and outside throughout our communities.” Virmani concluded by emphasizing the FBI’s unwavering commitment to dismantling organized criminal enterprises and protecting the public from those who use intimidation and brutality to maintain power.
The sentencings of these four defendants signify the successful culmination of the prosecution targeting NF leadership within the Northern District of California. Across the entire operation, 40 Nuestra Familia members and associates—including those operating on the streets and incarcerated within California state prisons—have now been convicted and sentenced. This impressive tally includes all seven members of the NF’s General Council, representing the entire senior leadership team of the gang.
The full list of General Council members, their convictions, and sentences include:
- David Cervantes aka “DC”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for three attempted murders and two murder conspiracies; sentenced to 120 months.
- James Perez aka “Conejo”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for two attempted murders and two murder conspiracies; sentenced to 120 months.
- Antonio Guillen aka “Chuco”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for two murder conspiracies and one attempted murder; sentenced to 175 months.
- George Franco aka “Puppet”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for one attempted murder and one murder conspiracy; sentenced to 175 months.
- Guillermo Solorio aka “Capone”: Racketeering conspiracy, with a special finding for attempted murder; sentenced to 175 months.
- Trinidad Martinez aka “Trino”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for one attempted murder; sentenced to 144 months.
- Samuel Luna aka “Sammy”: Racketeering conspiracy, with special findings for four murder conspiracies and one attempted murder; sentenced to 175 months.
The successful prosecution of this complex case was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mari Overbeck, Leif Dautch, and Aseem Padukone of the Violent Crime Strike Force, with support from Veronica Hernandez and Kevin Costello. The extensive investigation involved a multi-agency effort, spearheaded by the FBI (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Phoenix Divisions, and Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit), along with the DEA, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshal Service.
Critical assistance was provided by numerous state and local partners, including the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the San Jose Police Department, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Antioch Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Fremont Police Department, King’s County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain View Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Menlo Park Police Department, Santa Clara County Parole Department, Santa Clara County Probation Department, Santa Clara Police Department, Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Modesto Police Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, San Francisco Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, and Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.
This comprehensive investigation and prosecution was conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. OCDETF is a national initiative that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations threatening the United States. It utilizes a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that effectively leverages the combined strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against sophisticated criminal networks.
