'Character assassination': Reputed Mexican Mafia boss slams federal racketeering charges

Johnny Martinez wants you to know he is not a monster.

He has been called many things in the last six years by law enforcement agencies: Godfather of the Orange County underworld. Member of the Mexican Mafia, a syndicate of imprisoned Latino gang members. Architect of murders, shootings, knifings, shakedowns and drug deals.

Martinez says none of this is true. In a jailhouse interview, he told The Times that, despite the government’s best efforts to make him “sound like Hannibal Lecter,” he is an innocent man being railroaded by lying witnesses and vindictive prosecutors.

Martinez has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, using a firearm in a crime of violence and conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-15/johnny-martinez-mexican-mafia

Someone got their feelings hurt...