Armand “Bandit” Valle, 36, was among the dozens of people arrested in a sweep of Norteno gang members on Tuesday across Central California.
Armand “Bandit” Valle, 36, was among the dozens of people arrested in a sweep of Norteno gang members on Tuesday across Central California. Valle, originally from Salinas, was arrested in a Watsonville hardware store where he worked and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. According to police, he was recently released from prison, where he rose through the ranks of the Nortenos, eventually being appointed in charge of Watsonville and parts of the Bay Area. Though he is lower profile than Philip “Sharky” Sparks, who was arrested in Salinas, some gang watchers believe that he actually outranks Sparks in the Norteno hierarchy. If convicted both men could receive 10 years to life in prison. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
