Jan 18, 2008 2:46 pm US/Eastern
YouTube Gang Video Led To Sex Trafficking Charges
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
-
-
31-year old Rudy Villanueva, also know as "Bird Road Rudy," had posted a series of taunting videos on the internet site YouTube.
CBS
An alleged South Florida gang member known as "Bird Road Rudy", who taunted police in a video posted on YouTube, may have been into a lot more than just weapons. He may also have been into sex trafficking and prostitution.
A multi-agency gang task force executed a search warrant at 10258 SW 58 Street Tuesday night, searching for firearms and computers during the investigation of Rudy "Bird Road" Villanueva.
During the search, detectives discovered several computers in the home, containing pornographic material with possible minors involved and a room set-up consistent with an escort/bordello operation.
A minor was also found in the home who told police that a man named Hugo Gonzalez had arranged sexual encounters on several occasions for her to participate in with men. The minor and another witness in the home told police all the money from these sexual encounters would be given to Gonzalez.
Hugo Gonzalez has been arrested on various sex related charges including sex trafficking and prostitution.
"Bird Road" Rudy was arrested early Wednesday along with fellow "Bird Road Boys" gang member Tony Logan.
In the YouTube videos Villanueva, Logan, and several other gun toting gang members can be seen hanging out in South Miami Dade saying they're "out here fighting a cold war" and challenging the police department's gang unit to come after them. A counter on YouTube indicates the videos have been viewed more than 1,200 times.
"Metro gang bang unit. Here I am," he exclaims in another part of the clip.
While Villaneuva does most of the talking, Logan brandishes a hand gun and pulls the trigger several times while challenging the police to "come and get it."
During the search of Logan's home late Tuesday, police found and seized, among other things, a Mossburg shotgun, an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, a Colt .45 caliber pistol, a Barreta .40 caliber pistol and a Smith and Wesson .357 pistol, 780 rounds of .762 rounds of ammunition, and a small amount of .45 caliber, .40 caliber and .375 caliber ammunition. The shotgun and AK-47 appear to be identical to the firearms displayed by Villanueva in the video.
A criminal record check revealed that Villanueva had three prior felony convictions, in 1996, 2003 and 2004. According to federal law he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
"Villanueva and Logan threatened law enforcement. They brandished weapons and told us, 'here I am baby..... Come get us if you want.' Villanueva said come get me, and we did. We will not tolerate gang threats to our police officers." said United States Attorney Alex Acosta.
"Working together, law enforcement can and will continue to make a positive difference. The citizens of our community can rest assured that gang activity will not be tolerated in Miami-Dade County," said Director Robert Parker, Miami-Dade Police Department.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
