This historical account is based on the memories and stories of two successful men, both on the side of law enforcement and prosecution. The first is a detective for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) Gang Unit, (SEB) Special Enforcement Bureau and Homicide (Charles Araujo), and the other is a tenacious Deputy District Attorney (James Jacobs), who later became a Reserve (LASD) Deputy Sheriff. Together, they changed the course of prosecution and conviction of a notorious criminal element, namely violent street gangs who were infecting the communities of Los Angeles County.
Their story takes place during the 1970s through 1983. It includes some of the cases they worked during that timeframe. Names have been changed in some cases, except where permission has been granted by the identified individuals. We also received permission for various articles to be republished throughout, and they appear at the end of this book.
Their paths intersected in the massive population of Los Angeles, and amazingly resulted in what has come to be known as "Vertical Gang Prosecution."
Araujo, Charles: - Charlie Araujo holds a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from California State University Northridge. A native of Los Angeles, Charlie worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) where he served with distinction for 37 years. He retired as a Lieutenant, having served as a Watch Commander in East Los Angeles, a Homocide Investigator and Supervisor, Narcotics Investigator and Supervisor, a Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau (SWAT) Team Leader, Patrol Deputy and worked gang details including OSS (Operation Safe Streets). From there, Charlie joined the Security and Emergency Services Team as Director of Investigations and Executive Operations for NBC Univeral. As Director, he was responsable for the coordination of investigative resouces and capital projects globally. In addition, he worked with partners in IT security, anti-piracy and human resouces departments to better facilitate a unified response to security issues.
Araujo, Diane: - Dr. Diane Araujo holds a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) and a doctorate degree in education from the Universities of California, Irvine and Los Angeles. Diane served as an administrator at the University of Southern California (USC) and a College Professor at California State University, Los Angeles. She taught for several years at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California. During this time she also had a consulting business and was appointed as a City and County Commissioner in Los Angeles, where she has served over a period of many years. Diane's time as an Airport Commissioner led her to discuss policy issues of security and rights of way, globally while representing the City of her birth, Los Angeles. She presently devotes her time as co-owner and manager of a realestate holding company.
Jacobs, James: - James David Jacobs graduated with a Bachelor of Arts deree in government from California State College Los Angeles. Prior to that he was at East Los Angeles Junior College, where he was class historian and won a future civic leader of America award. As a young married father with three children, Jimmie began at Baker Oil Tool Company as an apprentice machinist. Later he was hired by Lockheed Industries as a machine operator and then Norris Thermador, where he decided to get a law degree and was accepted at Loyola Law School. With his Juris Doctor he began as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County where his carrer spaned two and a half decades. Known for his prepared and tanacious manner, he wrote several articles on various legal issues and taught advanced officer training, Operation Safe Streets and Hardcore classes. Jimmie also became a Los Angeles County Reserve Deputy Sheriff, a position he still holds working due dilligence for the Los Angeles Sherrif's Department Homocide Bureau, which gives him great pride. He specialized in the área of gang prevention and prosecution being at the forefront of Vertical Gang Prosecutions.
