LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The “shot caller” of a South Los Angeles street gang tied to the Mexican Mafia has been sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison for overseeing drug trafficking, ordering assaults and murders, and directing the criminal operations of the gang.
Eliseo Luna, 50, of South Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in March.
The Crime: Luna’s Role in the Gang’s Operations
Luna was a prominent leader of the gang, responsible for directing various illegal activities, including drug distribution, assaults, and even murder.
He was arrested in August 2022 during a predawn sweep that led to the arrest of 28 gang members as part of a racketeering and narcotics operation. Federal authorities named approximately 40 suspected members and associates of the gang in the indictment.
Luna’s leadership in the gang extended beyond drug operations. He was responsible for giving orders to the organization’s leadership, sanctioning attacks on members who were deemed to be in “bad standing,” and overseeing the gang’s violent operations in South Los Angeles.
His actions were consistent with the role of a “shot caller”, the highest-ranking member who makes key decisions for the gang.
The Arrest: Operation Rabbit Hole
The arrest of Luna and the 28 other gang members in 2022 was the result of an extensive investigation called “Operation Rabbit Hole.”
The probe was conducted by the FBI and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs, utilizing wiretaps and surveillance to gather evidence over several years. The investigation exposed the gang’s deep involvement in narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and violent crimes.
Court documents revealed that beginning in February 2020, Luna used coded language during telephone calls to instruct a co-conspirator to find and assault a certain gang member who had fallen out of favor.
Following these orders, the co-conspirator enlisted other gang members to assist in locating and assaulting the individual. Luna’s control over the gang extended to methamphetamine and heroin trafficking, which were part of the charges against him.
Gang’s Territory and Control
The criminal organization controlled a significant portion of the South Park area of South Los Angeles, a region bordered by Slauson Avenue to the south, Vernon Avenue to the north, Central Avenue to the east, and the Harbor Freeway (110) to the west.
Prosecutors described the gang as a long-standing operation, rooted in the area for decades, and actively involved in drug distribution and violent criminal activities.
What’s Next: Impact of Luna’s Sentencing
Luna’s sentencing marks the end of his direct involvement in the gang’s operations, but authorities have stressed that the investigation into the gang’s activities will continue.
Prosecutors have also emphasized the importance of disrupting the leadership of violent gangs like this one to diminish their ability to operate in the community. Luna’s sentencing sends a strong message about the federal government’s commitment to targeting gang leaders and dismantling their operations.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe this sentencing sends a strong message to other gang leaders? How can law enforcement further reduce gang violence in communities like South Los Angeles? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
