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Sandra Yi ReportingAsst. Chief Craig Black: "Gangs are and continue to be a major problem in the Salt Lake Valley."
But a gang roundup has taken members of a dangerous Asian gang off the street. A dozen members of the "Tiny Oriental Posse" are facing serious federal charges today. Police arrested half of them this morning. The others were already in custody.
A federal grand jury returned this six-count indictment yesterday against 14 members of the TOP. The charges allege violations of federal racketeering laws and violent crime.
They're members of the 'Tiny Oriental Posse', but don't let the name fool you.
Asst. Chief Craig Black, West Valley City Police Dept.: "This gang has been responsible for a number of violent crimes, such as drive-by shootings, fire bombings of each other's rival gang members' houses."
Police say, the TOP has terrorized West Valley City residents for more than a decade, some of them innocent victims of gang wars. Earlier this month Brandon Lemmon and his passenger were shot while waiting at a stop light. Police arrested Chanthaa Chhat and Alan Ratrisouk, both members of the Tiny Oriental Posse.
And police say TOP members were behind the 1998 drive-by shooting death of Bethany Hyde. Hyde was shot while waiting at an intersection. It was an apparent case of mistaken identity.
Craig Black: "Bethany Hyde was an example of that; had no affiliation with any gang, was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Fourteen members are in custody, facing federal racketeering charges and charges related to other violent crimes, including attempted murder, robbery and drugs. Authorities hope the indictments deal a blow to the gang's leadership.
Stephen Sorenson, Acting U.S. Attorney: "This is an act and kind of act and enterprise that, as a community, we simply won't tolerate."
He has this message for young people who want to join a gang.
Stephen Sorenson: "They ought to realize that sooner or later, law enforcement will catch up to them."
Federal and state agencies were involved in this investigation. Authorities wouldn't comment on pending investigations, but say this gang roundup is just the beginning of things to come.
