The Story of Lil Dave: From Gangsta to Informant for the Mongols
When you think of a gang member, you picture a tough-looking individual with a criminal record. You don’t expect a gang member to turn on their own and become an informant for law enforcement. However, that’s exactly what Lil Dave did.
The Rise of Lil Dave
Lil Dave is a pseudonym for David Santillan Jr. He was born in 1983 in California and raised in East Los Angeles. He was associated with the Eastside Rivas, a gang that controlled parts of East LA. Lil Dave was involved with drugs, weapons, and violence from a young age and had a reputation for being a formidable enforcer.
Lil Dave’s criminal activities got him in and out of prison from the age of 18. While in prison, Lil Dave came into contact with members of the Mongols, an outlaw motorcycle club. Lil Dave saw the club as an opportunity to rise up in the ranks and saw himself as a natural fit with his criminal background.
Joining the Mongols
In 2012, Lil Dave was accepted as a member of the Mongols. He was initially stationed in Nevada, where he helped establish the Mongols as a dominant force in the region. Lil Dave embraced the Mongols’ outlaw culture and even got the club’s insignia tattooed on his face. He was regarded as a valuable member and was entrusted with key tasks such as drug trafficking and weapons dealing.
Collaborating with Law Enforcement
Lil Dave’s failure to comply with the Mongols’ strict code of silence would eventually lead to his downfall. He was arrested in 2013 by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) on an unrelated firearms charge. Facing a long prison sentence, Lil Dave saw an opportunity to cooperate with authorities by becoming an informant.
Lil Dave’s cooperation led to several arrests within the Mongols, including his former leader Ruben “Doc” Cavazos. Lil Dave’s testimony was essential in securing a conviction against Cavazos, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Lil Dave was offered witness protection and is currently in hiding from the Mongols, who have threatened his life.
The aftermath
Lil Dave’s cooperation with law enforcement has been widely criticized by many individuals within the outlaw biker community. Becoming a snitch is seen as a betrayal in the eyes of many. Lil Dave’s family has also been threatened by the Mongols, making it difficult for them to lead a normal life.
In conclusion, the story of Lil Dave highlights the dangers of getting involved with gangs and outlaw biker clubs. It also emphasizes the importance of the justice system and the role that informants play in bringing down criminal organizations. While Lil Dave’s actions have come at a personal cost, his cooperation has made a substantial contribution to creating a safer society.
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