Story Created:
Jun 28, 2008 at 9:05 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jun 28, 2008 at 9:05 PM CST
A new gang injunction has been filed in Wichita Falls--- this time against the Puro Lil Mafia or PLM gang. Starting Friday afternoon into this weekend---- the Wichita Falls Gang Task force teamed with the Wichita County Sheriff's Department to serve civil papers to 21 alleged gang members and associates.
After one last briefing and lots of extensive work officers, deputies, and gang prosecutors are ready to crack down on PLM.
"They're engaging in drive by's and have serious weapons... SKS assault rifles they use. They're violent and dangerous and we need to do something about it, " said gang prosecutor Robert Massey.
And they have --- Massey says 21 known gang members and associates who have repeatedly taken part in gang activities are being put on notice---with civil papers in hand. Restrictions they face are similar to VC gang injunction in place Only this one--- is a little stricter.
Says Massey, "PLM has engaged in the number of drive by shootings so one of the restrictions was car restrictions where they will not be able to ride in the car with each other at night time."
And part of restricted area--- includes the VC's gang injunction.
The entire VC zone is in a PLM safety zone and they're rival street gangs so the gang activity pretty much goes back and forth.
But PLM"s have a larger area they can't be seen in together. Officials say it equals seven miles in Wichita Falls and includes major streets like parts of Kell, Central Freeway, Brook, Scott Street, and Seymour Highway just to name a few.
"We did research gang activity that has been committed by PLM in the last 3 years and we document all that area pretty much and drew a line around it," said Massey.
Massey says this case is at least 10 times stronger than the VC's and adds it's very likely additional names, areas and gangs could be added on. If any of the 21 listed violate the injunction they face up to a year in prison and or up to a $4,000 fine.
But keep in mind, the court must *first* rule on this filed injunction--- *before* it will take affect.
