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Alleged Sur 13 Gang Member Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

TAMPA - A 20-year-old man arrested in June as part of a roundup of suspected gang members has been sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Gilberto Villanueva

Gilberto Villanueva, who has a tattoo on his face reading "pura tranza" or "pure business," was sentenced after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possessing an unregistered firearm.

Authorities say Villanueva belongs to the Sur 13 gang.

According to Villanueva's plea agreement, he met with undercover law enforcement officers on April 12 and sold them cocaine while wearing a handgun attached to his belt. He was arrested June 10.

When he was arrested, his eyebrows were shaved, and the words were tattooed where the brows would have been. Law enforcement adopted the phrase and called the sweep of gang members Operation Pura Tranza.

In addition to five years in prison, Villanueva must serve five years probation after his release.

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