Suspected gang leader gets 7.5 years in prison

TAMPA -- A suspected leader of the Sur 13 gang received a 7 1/2-year federal prison sentence for drug trafficking Wednesday.

Gilberto "Wito" Villanueva, 20, pleaded guilty in September to selling cocaine, possessing cocaine and possessing an unregistered short-barrel shotgun.

His arrest in June was one of dozens made during a 10-month crackdown on illegal gang activity in eastern Hillsborough. Tampa was one of six areas in the country to receive a $2.5-million share of $15-million in federal funds.

Local authorities dubbed their investigation "Operation: Pura Tranza" -- which translates into "pure business" -- because Villanueva had that mantra tattooed over his shaved eyebrows.

In addition to his 90-month sentence, he must serve five years of supervised release.

"I just want to do my time and put this behind me," Villanueva told U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr.

- Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer

Comments

[Tim]

Not enough time for a deviant such as this to be behind bars.

[joe]

good now the little waste of life can take it up the "poop shoot" in jail by his fellow "gang bangers"the hell with him not enough time!

[al]

Joe you r as big of scum bag as him..so hopefully you can be the victim of sexual assualt ..ohh and by the way in prison these "scum bags" run things so unless he out of the gang goin to prison is a chance is relax and enjoy the "good life" this kids know what they are getting into death or prison are the only two real endings for this life they chose. Grow up, we need to correct are prison's and not condone abuse.

[joe]

you're an idiot, my point was that he's a waste of life much like yourself. is that clear now?

[Gilbert]

Seven and half years, if my memory serves me correctly, the sentencing guidelines for a longer period unless he cooperated. In any event, this is not enough time for what he is guilty of. Think of the lives he has affected negatively! Not enough time at all!!!

[jc]

This piece of crap choose the life he lead.No one forced him to become a gang member and piece of sh*t,so if you can`t do the time,don`t do the crime.I think he should have gotten 90 years so the only ones he can try to impress are his fellow piece of sh*t gang members in an environment where he won`t be a threat to society.And Al.If death or prison are usually the only two choices for people like him,so be it.It`s a choice THEY made and at least either way society is safer because of it.

[Someone's Daughter]

He sounds like a real winner to me! Maybe we can "rehabilitate" him too!

This is as dumb as the article about releasing kids who were sentenced to long prison terms, I guess, just cause.

So what! If they did something worthy of being in prison for a long period of time, then that's where they belong.

Gun crimes get you 25 years and thank GOD for that. Otherwise we'd all be forced to stay inside of our homes 24/7 for fear of being shot!

St. Pete has steadily gone down the toilet where crime is concerned since the 80's! The good people of this city are getting sick and tired of all this hand holding and coddling that's going on in the juvenile prison system. I know that I am for SURE!

A majority of child criminals grown up to be adult criminals - read the statistics!!
I say tougher laws and prison sentences are in order.

[tunamanz]

He should have tattoo'd LOSER above his shaved eyebrows!

[wazzamattaU]

More results of Hispanic 'culture', courtesy of our present administration allowing our broken borders. 'Should have spent the $2.5 million keeping him and others like him out to begin with.

[melissa]

Did we all seem to forget the "scum bags" that buy it from the dealers! These drug addicts keep them in business. So I don't feel that this guy is the only scum to blame! I don't feel that bad for the ones he sells it to either they all have chosen their path in life! You deal you pay, you partake you also pay the price!

[MELISSA]

CONGRATS... JOHN! I SEE YOUR A REAL IDIOT! AND HAVE NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE TO SAY! GO GET YOUR CORN AND TRY TO GET A LIFE WHILE YOUR AT IT !

[Robin]

Legalize and tax drugs. Then people can buy them from legitimate businesses instead of gangs.

[scotty]

He will not make his third day in prison.... He will whats commin to him!!!
Scotty

[Eddie]

This is unfortunate that a few immature people (I'm too mature to call people insulting names.) turned the comment section into they're own joke gallery. This is an serious issue and I pray that one day it can be rectified. Yes laws should stiffen up for these young men and women who do these crimes. But we should also do our best to be a better society and not promote other things that young people to do the things that they do. I.E.....Media (Movies, Music, Videos etc...)

[Eddie]

Correction on my last comment

We should not promote other things that makes young people do the crimes that they do. Also while I'm at it. BE BETTER PARENTS!

[Candi]

I have a better story I know a guy in Fort Pierce that has had altogeather 25 felanys. He has only done one year in jail . Know he was going up for 8 felany's, been in jail since sept. 15th grand theft, and stealing a credit card, racked up 9,000 dollar's on that alone, stolen check's, drug's and he walked. He got out New year's night at 12:00 a.m. He became a snitch, so they will find him floating in a cannel soon. Got probation for 2 year's, yea right? This is crasy he belong's in prison dosn't know the big dealer's but they will know him fast.

[Candi]

I have a better story I know a guy in Fort Pierce that has had altogeather 25 felanys. He has only done one year in jail . Know he was going up for 8 felany's, been in jail since sept. 15th grand theft, and stealing a credit card, racked up 9,000 dollar's on that alone, stolen check's, drug's and he walked. He got out New year's night at 12:00 a.m. He became a snitch, so they will find him floating in a cannel soon. Got probation for 2 year's, yea right? This is crasy he belong's in prison dosn't know the big dealer's but they will know him fast.

[Tim]

Hey Candi.. Nice story,sweetheart, but could you learn to spell ???
Felany = felony
altogeather = altogether
crasy = crazy
cannel = canal

[John in Tampa, FLA]

90 months...gee, he should be out of prison by Valentine's Day.

[Biff]

Dang, I didn't know we got graded for spelling. Yikes and gadzooks.