WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — The Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has arrested four people in connection to recruiting at least one minor into a "gang, organization, or enterprise."
According to WCSO, a detective was assigned to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in collaboration with the Springdale Police Department Crime Suppression Unit in May of 2023, to investigate a gang called "Savage Locos Street Gang."
During the investigation, they found that an employee at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center was "possibly involved" in sharing private juvenile information with the alleged leader of the gang, Rogelio "Speedy" Ramirez. The employee was identified as 31-year-old Clara Garcia, who was terminated from her position working at the juvenile court on June 27. She has since been arrested for disclosing juvenile records.
As the investigation continued, investigators found out about "juvenile recruitment into the gang" through Springdale Schools. This resulted in the arrest of Rogelio “Speedy” Ramirez, Sebastian “Sad One” Martinez, and Marco “Bullet” Ramirez. They are being charged with recruiting a minor to join or remain a member of a criminal gang, organization, or enterprise.
Marco Ramirez pleaded not guilty to the charges he's facing.
Authorities are asking anyone who believes they have been affected by gang activity to please contact the WCSO at 479-444-5712.
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