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8 People Accused of Being Members of Valentine Bloods Gang In Pasco

News Channel 8 photo by DAVID KRAUT

Five of the eight Valentine Bloods members indicted last month were arrested this morning in a multiagency operation.

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/11/2009 06:56 pm

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NEW PORT RICHEY - For several years, the Valentine Bloods gang has been growing and wreaking havoc on the streets of West Pasco.

But with Wednesday's announcement of eight members indicted on federal drug and gun charges, law enforcement officers are hoping the local branch of the nationwide gang has been crippled.

Of the eight members indicted last month, five were arrested Tuesday during a carefully orchestrated early morning sting by Pasco sheriff's deputies, New Port Richey Police officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The men face a total of 24 counts of federal firearms and drug charges, including trafficking. Some of those indicted could face as much as life behind bars.

In federal custody are 28-year-old David "Blink" Martin Santiago; Darko Kojic, 20; Alberto "Red" Camacho, 22; Paul David Morman III, 18; and Alfonzo "Joe Boy" Lee Joe, 24.

Still wanted are Andrew Montalvo, 23; Harold "Kiss" Jason Vazquez Jr., 27; and Michael Antonio Brown, 29.

Among the charges, Kojic is accused of selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of Gulf Middle School and Miss Betty's Child Care, according to the indictments.

Santiago, thought to be the gang's leader, had been arrested twice since December by Pasco deputies on charges of aggravated battery. In December, he was arrested on accusations he beat a man so badly he might have brain damage. In January, he was accused of shooting a 31-year-old Navy officer in the leg outside an after-hours bottle club.

The eight indicted, according to ATF Special Agent in Charge Virginia O'Brien, have been arrested a total of 120 times and and have 20 previous convictions among them.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the three men who have not yet been arrested. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-ATF-GUNS.

"We'll find them. There's no two ways about it," Pasco Sheriff Bob White said. "A thousand dollars can buy a lot of blame."

The joint investigation began a year and a half ago when, investigators say, the men started selling firearms and narcotics. During the probe, law enforcement officers seized cocaine as well as a bevy of firearms and ammunition.

The case is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative, a multi-agency program focused on reducing gang crime and violence.

Currently, it's thought that the local set of the Valentine Bloods has 50 to 60 active members and associates in West Pasco. O'Brien said the the group is "known to be a violent street gang" that locally has operated mostly in New Port Richey.

"It's been a long time coming working on this, but you want to make sure you have it right," said New Port Richey Police Chief Martin Rickus about the indictments and arrest.

He said the investigation continues.

"There are a number of other people who we're looking at," he said.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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