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SALT LAKE CITY — A member of the Tongan Crip Gang admitted Tuesday to his role in a Walmart store robbery three years ago.
While working as a security guard at the store, Vainga Kinikini, 36, provided other TCG members with information on how to take money from registers and rob employees. At one point, police called him to assist them but he tipped off the robbers to help them get away.
Kinikini pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on one count of robbery. In return, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. One of the alleged robbers threatened Walmart employees with a shotgun, according to court records. Kinikini will be sentenced Oct. 25.
Kinikini was among 17 alleged TCG members indicted in May 2010 on a variety of charges including robbery, brandishing a firearm and conspiracy to act as an enterprise through racketeering. All of them are being prosecuted under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act known as RICO.
Prosecutors say the gang members work as an enterprise that establishes and preserves territory and power through intimidation. They use violence to enhance prestige and aim to keep "victims and rivals in fear."
Their cases are currently working their way through the court system. Some are in the process of reaching plea agreements, while others plan to go to trial.
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