The US Department of Justice announced on October 2nd that federal and local law enforcement agencies have dismantled a new Nazi violent extremist group in the Los Angeles area known as the “Peckerwood Gang.” Members of the gang have been implicated in various crimes including extortion, drug trafficking, robbery, financial fraud, and illegal gun possession for several years.
The “Peckerwood Gang” is primarily concentrated in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, with its members sporting tattoos symbolizing Nazism and “SFV,” among other markings, while also posting hate crime-related content online.
According to the Department of Justice, the “Peckerwood Gang” not only has close ties to the notorious gang organization “Aryan Brotherhood” but also maintains alliance relations with the Mexican Mafia prison gang that controls most Latino street gangs in California.
“The Peckerwood Gang in the San Fernando Valley, the Aryan Brotherhood, and their associates are united by one thing: hate,” said Matthew Allen, head of the Los Angeles division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “Driven by greed, they also engage in other criminal activities, including drug distribution, flooding our streets with deadly fentanyl.”
US Federal Prosecutor Martin Estrada stated, “The hallmark of the Peckerwood Gang is plotting attacks against racial, ethnic, and religious minority groups. They finance their activities through various crimes, including gun trafficking, illegal gun possession, financial fraud, identity theft, bank fraud, and even COVID-19 fraud (misappropriation of government-provided pandemic funds).”
These gang members have also operated fake rehabilitation centers, forged documents to absolve gang members of guilt, and committed healthcare insurance fraud. During the investigation, law enforcement agencies seized a large quantity of illegal firearms, explosive manufacturing materials, and a substantial amount of drugs.
“From 2020 to date, law enforcement agencies have confiscated 97 pounds of fentanyl, 115 pounds of methamphetamine, and 125 firearms,” Estrada added.
According to the indictment, in order to generate revenue for the gang, its members trafficked drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. Specifically, a primary defendant residing in Chatsworth, along with two accomplices, maintained and supervised drug hiding places. They would mail illegal drugs to “clients” and receive payment from drug buyers using apps like Zelle and CashApp, then transfer the funds to drug suppliers.
Thus far, 68 members and associates of the “Peckerwood Gang” are facing serious criminal charges, with 42 individuals having been arrested. Twenty-nine of the defendants arrested on Wednesday are expected to be tried in the afternoon at the US District Court in downtown Los Angeles; the remaining 13 arrested defendants are currently in custody. Once convicted, some indicted members could face prison sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment.
Assistant Director Akil Davis of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Los Angeles Office stated that this operation is the largest sweep in Los Angeles County history.
According to the indictment, gang members and associates used Facebook to share information about criminal activities and gang rules among themselves, setting up member-specific groups on the platform and communicating directly through private messages.
From at least December 2016 to September 2024, members of the “Peckerwood Gang” have engaged in criminal activities using violence and threats to maintain their gang’s size.
During the searches, law enforcement officers also discovered a significant amount of Nazi-related items, including Hitler posters and Nazi uniforms. Currently, all defendants are presumed innocent. Further details of the case are still under investigation.
Authorities urge the public that anyone with information about the whereabouts of other members of the “Peckerwood Gang” should immediately contact the police or FBI to provide vital leads. ◇