News Release - Statewide Grand Jury Adds Two More Gang Members to First Indictment

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Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release

April 17, 2008

en Español

Print Version

Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

Statewide Grand Jury Adds Two More Gang Members to First Indictment

~ Total of 12 members of SUR-13 gang now indicted, charged with criminal racketeering ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw today announced that two additional gang members have been added to the 18th Statewide Grand Jury’s first gang indictments. The indictments were initially handed down in December against 11 members of SUR-13, a dangerous gang that operates statewide. Both of the men indicted today are in custody.

“We must continue to work cooperatively to stop the growth of gangs and reduce the gang violence threatening our state,” said Attorney General McCollum. “This operation has clearly proved that when we work together, we can achieve better results.”

Indicted today were Ronald Shupe, 19, of West Palm Beach, charged with criminal racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering; and Hugo Gonzales, 19, of West Palm Beach, charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and attempted first-degree murder. Gonzales was already in custody in the Palm Beach County Jail, where Shupe will be booked later today. Local and state law enforcement identified the alleged gang members as individuals connected to other criminal activity including at least one murder, as well as attempted murder of rival gang members during a drive-by shooting that severely injured an innocent bystander. Other crimes attributed to the gang include a series of armed robberies, retaliatory arson, aggravated battery and multiple theft and drug-related charges.

Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit using the racketeering charges to attack the gang as an organized criminal operation. To address the gang issue on a statewide level, the Attorney General’s Office launched the Statewide Grand Jury in August to investigate criminal gang activity including crimes involving narcotics or other dangerous drugs and robbery, as well as violations of the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organization (RICO) Act. The jurors are also studying various criminal issues and have made recommendations on needed laws to deter gang activities and punish those involved in these pursuits.