Latest news with #FewButPlenty
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Leaders of 'brutal' Colorado gangs sentenced to prison
Two men who led criminal organizations responsible for two murders and dozens of shootings - including several drive-by shooting which police say injured innocent people - were recently sentenced to prison time. The two men were the last of two dozen members of the Few But Plenty and Too Damn Smooth crews caught and prosecuted. Both men commanded "brutal criminal organization(s) that terrorized neighborhoods" on Denver's west side during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Denver District Attorney John Walsh stated in separate press releases. Phillip Baca, Sr., the 44-year-old purported leader of the Few But Plenty (FBP) gang, was sentenced to 33 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections on Friday. Baca was originally charged with 136 criminal counts. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, and prosecutors dropped the remaining 134 charges. Paul Baca, Sr., following his arrest in 2022. Denver District Attorney's Office FBP, between January 2020 and March 2022, committed at least 14 shootings, mostly drive-by shootings that targeted the gang's rivals in west Denver, according to investigators. Forty-seven people were injured in those shootings. Twenty-two-year-old Angel "Taz" Espinoza, the alleged leader of Too Damn Smooth (2D$), was sentenced in May to 95 years. He originally faced 217 criminal counts. All but four were eventually dropped - two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA). Angel "Taz" Espinoza, 22, following his arrest in 2022. Denver District Attorney's Office From June 2019 into March 2023, 2D$ committed at least 18 shootings, according to investigators. Most of those, like FBP's, were actions against rival gang members. And, like FBP's, innocent people were caught up in the violence. The indictment counted nearly 200 people who were not gang members but who were caught in the crossfire or targeted directly after being misidentified by 2D$ shooters. Violence between the two gangs escalated when Baca's brother, Paul Baca Sr., was shot and killed in Denver in 2021. Investigators claim 2D$ members were responsible. The dead man's son - the gang leader's nephew - was among those FBP crew members put behind bars. He received 34 years for murder and organized crime. Court documents show 2D$ also killed another rival gang member in 2019. The two gangs formed out of members from other gangs, according to both group's indictment. That is not uncommon. A commander for the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN) Task Force told CBS Colorado that criminal gangs form easily - and don't completely break up. "Violent gangs don't simply disappear—but each successful prosecution disrupts their ability to operate. The RAVEN Task Force tracks, targets, and adapts to these evolving threats wherever and however they emerge," stated Lt. DJ Tisdale. "These cases are not just wins on paper—they have real impact. Dismantling violent criminal networks and holding those involved accountable has an immediate effect on reducing violence in the communities we serve."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Violent' Denver street gang dismantled after leader, 10 members plead guilty: DA
DENVER (KDVR) — The leader of a Denver street gang faces 33 years in prison after pleading guilty to crimes related to 'dozens of drive-by shootings' he encouraged and ordered, the Denver District Attorney's Office announced Monday. Phillip Baca Sr., the leader of the 'Few But Plenty' gang, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act after being indicted in 2022. Baca joins 10 other Few But Plenty gang members who were also indicted in 2022 and have all already pleaded guilty, according to the DA's office. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Denver DA John Walsh in a press release said his office's Organized Crime Unit and members of the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network worked this multi-year, multi-case investigation to take down the gang. 'Phillip Baca was the leader of a ruthless criminal organization that terrorized west Denver neighborhoods. This guilty plea and sentence – and the sentences of other Few But Plenty gang members – are powerful steps toward fighting organized crime and improving public safety for all Denver residents. I want to acknowledge the Denver DA's Organized Crime Unit and its prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates, as well as the members of the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN). Their outstanding, collaborative work during a multi-year investigation led to the dismantling of this violent gang and the successful resolution of all 11 cases.' Denver DA John Walsh The shootings Baca ordered and encouraged targeted gang rivals in west Denver, according to the DA's office, and 'innocent bystanders who had nothing to do with the inter-gang feuds were the victims of this violence' in several instances. Previous Denver DA Beth McCann in 2022 when the 10 gang members were indicted said those members were believed to be responsible for '14 separate incidents totaling 47 victims in the Denver metropolitan area.' As the leader of the gang, Baca 'not only encouraged the young men of FBP (most of whom were his sons and nephews) to commit these violent crimes, he often expressly ordered them to do so,' according to the DA's office on Monday. Baca joined his co-defendants at least once as they shot the home of a rival gang member more than 20 times. Baca will be sentenced on June 27 and, per his plea agreement, faces 33 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
