417. . . Man With a Gun

This historical account is based on the memories and stories of two successful men, both on the side of law enforcement and prosecution. The first is a detective for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Gang Unit, (SEB) Special Enforcement Bureau and Homicide (Charles Araujo), and the other is a tenacious Deputy District Attorney (James Jacobs), who later became a Reserve (LASD) Deputy Sheriff. Together, they changed the course of prosecution and conviction of a notorious criminal element, namely violent street gangs who were infecting the communities of Los Angeles County.

Their story takes place during the 1970s through 1983. It includes some of the cases they worked during that timeframe. Names have been changed in some cases, except where permission has been granted by the identified individuals. We also received permission for various articles to be republished throughout, and they appear at the end of this book.

Their paths intersected in the massive population of Los Angeles, and amazingly resulted in what has come to be known as “Vertical Gang Prosecution.”