US Prison Gangs - The Texas Syndicate

Formed in the early 1970s, the Texas Syndicate was established in Folsom Prison as a direct response to the other California prison gangs, such as the Aryan Brotherhood and Mexican Mafia, that preyed upon Mexican-American inmates from Texas, usually in the El Paso and San Antonio areas. Today, the gang accepts members from Latin American countries such as Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico. The gang holds a belief of Hispanic and Latino supremacy ideology and has committed crimes, such as drug trafficking, extortion, pressure rackets and contract murder within the prison system.

A member of the Mexican Mafia (different from that of the Californian Mexican Mafia) is called a carnal and a group is called Carnales. A new recruit is called a Cardinal. The head of the gang is called the Chairman. The Texas Syndicate is a separate organization from the Mexican Mafia in Texas, and are rivals. Along with other Mafia or 'Famas'; meaning families. Some are: Los Pistoleros, La Nuestra Familia and La Raza Unido.

Members are tattooed with the letters TS usually obscured in the design of the tattooed. Generally the tattoo is located on the back of the right forearm, it can also be found on the outside calf areas, neck, and chest. One arm, usually the right, will appear much larger than the other. Members and affiliates of the Texas Syndicate also use Longhorns and UT apparel and logos, to represent the Texas connection. Belt Buckles with a Longhorn, are mostly used by high ranking members of the Texas Syndicate. These members have a rank similar to that of a Don, in the Italian/Sicilian Mafa 'La Cosa Nostra.'

The creed of the Texas Syndicate: Play your fellow Texas Syndicate member's back. Respeto al Don Fetti, el Criollo.

The following information about Texas Syndicate is available from the Florida law enforcement officers.

Gender Makeup: Male

Racial Makeup: Mexican-American/ Hispanic

Origin: The TS originated in Folsom prison, in California in the early 70s.

It was established in direct response to the other California prison gangs (notably the Aryan Brotherhood and Mexican Mafia), which were attempting to prey on native Texas inmates.

Characteristics:

* Membership is rising nationally due to recruitment.

* The TS now accepts members from Latin American countries such as Columbia, Cuba, and Mexico.

* They have made attempts to recruit in the Florida Department of Corrections.

* A TS member is called a "Carnal."

* A group of members is called "Carnales."

* A TS recruit is called a "Cardinal."

* The institutional leader is called the "Chairman."

Identifiers/Symbols:

* They have tattoos with a "TS" located somewhere in the design; sometimes requires close scrutiny.

* The tattoos are generally located on the back of the right forearm, but they have also been found on the outside calf areas, neck, and chest.

Enemies/Rivals:

* Aryan Brotherhood

* La Nuestra Familia

* Mexican Mafia

* Mexikanemi

* Mandingo Warriors

Allies:

The TS has developed associations with the Texas Mafia and Dirty White Boys.

Propensity for Disruptive Behavior:

* There is some representation in the Florida Department of Corrections.

* The TS has been found to be recruiting.

* The history of the group and documented acts of violence in other jurisdictions warrant their certification as a Security Threat Group.

* Receipt of inmates on interstate compact and the current membership in groups with Hispanic and Latino supremacy ideology lend to the threat of an organizing TS within our facilities.

* The main activities of the TS are centered around drug trafficking, extortion, pressure rackets, and internal discipline.

The Modern Gang Reader