A sweep of skinhead lairs throughout the Inland Empire on Monday twice took sheriff’s deputies to maternity wards where pregnant women were trying to bear babies on Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
Seven members of the Inland Empire Skinheads, including the leader, were arrested during the two-county sweep that took a team of 20 deputies to Hesperia, Perris and Winchester.
The white racist street gang has been responsible for murders in the High Desert, drug trafficking, home invasion robberies and countless assaults, officials said.
They reportedly used MySpace
First documented by Riverside police in 2002, the “IE Skins” ranks are now estimated to include 30 active members and up to 70 associates, including high school children.
“The most disheartening and alarming thing is that their only purpose is racial violence,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops.
Arrested were brothers Thomas Mason, 24, and Joseph Mason, 20, both of Hesperia; Mark Goslyn, 33, of Hesperia; Carrie Goodwin, 24, of Hesperia; Raymond Williams, 33, of Perris; Jeremy Brower, 32, of Winchester; and Ronald Proffitt, 27, of El Monte.
The gang’s emblems are two crossed battle axes and the number “95,” which stands for Inland Empire. Daily gear includes red suspenders and black boots with red laces.
The local skinheads have national affiliates and one man – Williams – is on the National Terrorist Watch list.
Deputy Eric Ogaz, who led the investigation, declined to give specifics on crimes committed by the IE Skins because it is an ongoing investigation.
More arrests are expected to be made in coming weeks, including two more women suspected in robberies and assaults.
But he did say the gang targeted its victims based on ethnic backgrounds.
“They believe our country is going in the wrong direction and that the white people need to come together,” Ogaz said.
Gang paraphernalia seized during the raid was spread across three tables at sheriff’s headquarters on Monday. On display were belt buckles, brass knuckles, T-shirts with skinhead logos, about $1,000 cash, two shotguns, banners with swastikas and a copy of Hitler’s book.
Fliers advertising the gang’s annual barbecues insisted that “unity is strength” and a homemade photo album gave a peek into the skinheads’ lives. There were shots of men bloodied from fights, members guzzling alcohol from horns, tattoos being inked on their skin and even a small child holding two guns.
One official said Monday’s arrests will likely “dismantle” the Inland Empire skinhead clan.
Yet, both pregnant members brought their children into the world on Hitler’s birthday.
The first mother, Goodwin, was taken into custody afterward. The second woman, who has not been identified, was being guarded at the hospital late Monday but was expected to be booked into Central Detention Center in San Bernardino along with her fellow gang members.
******************************************************************************
UPDATE:
“Inland Empire Skinheads Enter Not Guilty Pleas” / San Bernadino County Sun
April 22, 2009
Eight members of the Inland Empire Skinheads pleaded not guilty to drug dealing, home invasions, assault-for-hire and street terrorism the same day that Child Protective Services took custody of two infants born to gang members who induced labor on Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
Ann
