Alleged 'Queen' of LA's Deadly 18th Street Gang Arrested in FBI Raid

Keiko Gonzalez, known as 'Moms,' 'La Senora' and 'The Queen,' accused of running notorious gang on behalf of imprisoned Mexican Mafia husband

Mar. 6, 2026 at 12:40am

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One of California's most dangerous female gangsters, Keiko Gonzalez, has been arrested in a series of pre-dawn raids by the FBI across Los Angeles. The 59-year-old, known by the nicknames 'Moms,' 'La Senora' and 'The Queen,' is accused of running the notorious 18th Street Gang on behalf of her imprisoned Mexican Mafia husband, Jorge Gonzales. Gonzalez was among 12 members and associates of the gang arrested this week as part of 'Operation Dead Horse,' which targeted the group's alleged control of the MacArthur Park area and open-air drug market.

Why it matters

The 18th Street Gang is considered one of the most violent criminal organizations in the western hemisphere, with a long history of drug trafficking, violent crimes, and ties to the Mexican Mafia. The arrest of its alleged 'Queen,' Keiko Gonzalez, is a significant blow to the gang's operations and leadership structure in Los Angeles.

The details

Keiko Gonzalez is accused of ordering a gang hit in 2022 when a drug dealer refused to pay 'taxes' to the organization. She allegedly ran the gang's criminal operations, including collecting rent, taxes, and doling out brutal discipline, on behalf of her husband Jorge Gonzales and three other Mexican Mafia leaders in prison. Prosecutors claim Gonzales was communicating with Gonzalez and other gang members using a secret cellphone smuggled into his prison cell.

  • Gonzalez was arrested during a series of pre-dawn raids across Los Angeles this week as part of 'Operation Dead Horse'.
  • In 2022, Gonzalez is accused of ordering a gang hit on a drug dealer who refused to pay 'taxes' to the 18th Street Gang.

The players

Keiko Gonzalez

A 59-year-old woman known as 'Moms,' 'La Senora' and 'The Queen,' who is accused of running the notorious 18th Street Gang on behalf of her imprisoned Mexican Mafia husband.

Jorge Gonzales

Keiko Gonzalez's husband, who is serving a life sentence in a California state prison and is a leader in the Mexican Mafia. He is known among gangsters as 'White Horse'.

18th Street Gang

A notorious criminal organization in Los Angeles that is considered one of the most violent gangs in the western hemisphere, with a long history of drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Mexican Mafia

A powerful prison gang that has exerted control over street gangs like the 18th Street Gang in California.

Bill Essayli

First Assistant United States Attorney, who stated that the 18th Street Gang has been allowed to turn MacArthur Park into a 'crime-infested pit' and that the authorities are committed to eliminating violent organized crime and open-air drug markets in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“For far too long, 18th Street and other criminals have been allowed to turn one of the city's most beautiful public spaces into a crime-infested pit. That ends today. We are committed to eliminating violent organized crime and open-air drug markets from Los Angeles.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Keiko Gonzalez to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This high-profile arrest of the alleged 'Queen' of the 18th Street Gang highlights the ongoing battle against powerful criminal organizations and their ties to the Mexican Mafia in Los Angeles. It underscores the challenges of combating entrenched gang activity and drug trafficking in the city's public spaces.