UPDATE: Humberto Villegas, a 32-year-old gang member from Hayward, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison following a lengthy investigation known as Operation Winter Storm. This announcement marks a significant conclusion to an eight-year prosecution targeting the East Las Palmas gang, a subset of the Norteños.
Court records confirm that Villegas pleaded no contest to three counts of attempted murder and received formal sentencing in late August. He was transferred to Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga on September 18, where he will serve his time. Notably, he received credit for nearly 10 years spent in custody while awaiting trial.
The charges against Villegas included alleged murder plots that were thwarted before execution. One plan involved shooting an individual nicknamed “80-Deuce,” who had previously injured Villegas. Another conspiracy targeted a rival gang member known as Lil’ Slugg.
Villegas is the last of six co-defendants convicted in this extensive wiretap investigation. His co-defendants faced varying sentences, with Matthew “Yung Mickey” Munoz receiving the harshest penalty of 25 years to life for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Munoz’s conviction was upheld after he lost an appeal last June. Other defendants received sentences ranging from seven to 17 years.
In a surprising turn of events, one co-defendant, Jeswal Prakash, was released from prison only to be charged with attempted murder again in a separate incident on May 5 of this year.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating gang violence in the region. As the community grapples with the implications of gang activity, the conclusion of this case brings a measure of closure, though the ramifications will likely continue to resonate.
Officials urge the community to remain vigilant as the impact of gangs persists. With this significant sentencing, authorities hope to deter future violence and promote safety in Hayward and surrounding areas.
