Former Norteño Gang Member Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison

Salvador Mexicano joined the gang at 11, committed two murders as a teenager, and is now serving time for racketeering charges.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Salvador Mexicano, now 22 years old, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for his involvement in two gang-related homicides committed when he was just 17 years old as a member of the Norteño gang's Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) subset. Mexicano's tragic life story details how he became entangled in gang violence from a young age, with his father incarcerated, two uncles murdered, and close friends killed by gun violence. After the first killing, Mexicano became a 'certified' member of the SAP by getting an SAP tattoo. He later stabbed a man in jail as part of a 'removal' attack on behalf of gang leaders. Mexicano's lengthy sentence is part of a broader federal crackdown on Norteño 'regiments' in Salinas and San Jose, as well as the Nuestra Familia prison gang that controls them.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of gang violence, particularly on young people, and the challenges of breaking the cycle of crime and incarceration. Mexicano's story underscores how poverty, family trauma, and lack of opportunity can push vulnerable youth into gangs, with tragic consequences. The federal prosecution aims to disrupt the power of the Norteño gang and Nuestra Familia, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of lengthy prison sentences in rehabilitating offenders and preventing future crime.

The details

In September 2020, when Mexicano was 17, he and other SAP members accosted two men in a wooded area, forced them to their knees, and shot them - with Mexicano shooting one man in the head, killing him. In March 2021, Mexicano was involved in another SAP killing, where the gang members forced a man to strip to check for tattoos before shooting him dead. Mexicano later admitted to involvement in both killings and other gang crimes while pleading guilty to a federal racketeering charge. His 19-year sentence is part of a broader federal crackdown on Norteño gangs and the Nuestra Familia prison gang that controls them.

  • In September 2020, when Mexicano was 17, he committed his first murder.
  • On March 23, 2021, Mexicano was involved in a second murder.
  • On January 13, 2026, Mexicano was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison.

The players

Salvador Mexicano

A 22-year-old former member of the Norteño gang's Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) subset, who committed two murders as a teenager and is now serving a 19-year federal prison sentence for racketeering.

Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) Norteños

A subset of the Norteño gang that operates in Salinas, California, and which Mexicano was a member of.

Nuestra Familia

A prison gang that controls the Norteño gangs, including the SAP, and has been the target of a federal crackdown that Mexicano's case is part of.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When he is eventually released, Mr. Mexicano will be decades older than when he engaged in the racketeering activity and he'll have been long-removed from the neighborhood and violence that have led him to this point in his life.”

— Matthew Dirkes, Defense Attorney (East Bay Times)

What’s next

Mexicano's final prison destination has yet to be announced, and the judge will determine if he is eligible for any early release programs during his 19-year sentence.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating cycle of gang violence and the challenges of rehabilitating young offenders who have been drawn into that world. While the lengthy federal sentence aims to disrupt the Norteño gang's power, it remains to be seen whether Mexicano and others like him can break free of that life after serving their time.