LOS ANGELES (AP) Federal hate crime charges were filed against four Hispanic members of a street gang who allegedly terrorized black residents and killed an African-American man, it was announced Friday.
A federal grand jury indictment handed up on Aug. 11 accuses the men of conspiracy and firearm and civil rights violations, including the April 1999 death of Kenneth Wilson, 38, who was shot in Highland Park.
All four could face the death penalty if convicted.
The four were members of the Avenues 43 gang and are accused of committing ``one of the most heinous crimes murdering someone simply because of his skin color,'' U.S. Attorney Debra Yang said.
One of the men, Alejandro Martinez, 27, was arrested Friday morning, authorities said.
Gilbert Saldana, 26, who allegedly shot Wilson, is serving a life sentence in state prison for an unrelated murder. An arrest warrant has been issued for the other alleged shooter, Merced Cambero, 26.
Fernando Cazares, 24, is serving a 34-month state prison sentence on unrelated charges, authorities said.
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