Varrio 38th Street in South Los Angeles

Varrio South Side 38th street [Tres Ocho] is a predominately Hispanic Street gang on the eastside of South Los Angeles. It is among one of the oldest street gangs in South Los Angeles forming between 1920 and 1935 depending on various accounts.

The gang formed on 38th Street between Santa Fe Avenue (east) and Alameda Street (west) in the rancher farm community of Vernon just west off the banks of the Los Angeles River. When the City of Vernon was founded in 1905 by ranchers James Furlong, Thomas Furlong and John B. Leonis, Mexican migrants moved into the area but city officials began to convert the open farm lands into an industrial mega-center which became the home of several steel, aluminum, and glass companies. Companies such as Studebaker, Farmer John and General Mills setup in Vernon during the 1920s and 1930s providing hundreds of employment opportunities to the local residents.

As Vernon began to transform away from a farm community into an industrial town, the gang’s central location moved just west of Alameda into South Los Angeles in an area the actual street, “38th Street” does not exist.

Gang graffiti, 38th Street crossing out rival East Side Trece, 27th & Hooper, Los Angeles

Gang graffiti, 38th Street crossing out rival East Side Trece, 27th & Hooper, Los Angeles

In 1942, the Los Angeles Police department investigated the murder of José Gallardo Diaz and implicated several 38th Street members. During the early morning hours of August 2, 1942 Diaz’ dead body was found on the side of a road, with injuries consistent of being hit by a car. Investigators believed that Diaz was murdered and within days, Henry Leyvas, 20, and several 38th Street members were arrested for murder in what became known as the Sleepy Lagoon case. Nine members of 38th Street were convicted on 2nd degree murder but in 1944 the Court of Appeals reversed the convictions of all the defendants.

Racial paranoia and prejudice against Mexican immigrants had influenced the investigation whiles the District Attorney’s office and Judge Charles W. Fricke created an unfair trial for the youth. The media coverage in Los Angeles was also biased against the youth, taking the version of events that the DA’s office outline, but most of the original defendants charged in the Sleepy Lagoon case were innocent of all charges.

The territory of 38th Street is considered larger than average at 0.523 square miles stretching from Central Avenue (west) to Alameda (east) from approximately Martin Luther King Blvd (south) to 41st Street (north). The 38th Street turf also extends north to 24th Street between Compton (west) and Long Beach Avenues (east). The Alameda Swap Meet on Alameda & Vernon Avenues has been a stronghold in their turf for years.

Gang territory of Varrio 38th Street

Gang territory of Varrio 38th Street

Henry “Hank” Leyvas, an original Mexican Mafia member from the early 1960s was the first 38th Street member in the prison gang, and he grew to became an influential representative during its first decade. Other members of 38th Street also influenced the early history of the Mexican Mafia, as Leyvas sponsored and encouraged other 38th Street members into the Mexican Mafia during the 1960s which included Raul “Dopey” Montez and Ramon “Ponchi” Amado.

The large geography of 38th Street has contributed to several subclicks being formed over the years. Their clicks are:

  1. (BPR)
  2. CHBS
  3. CDLS
  4. (CAD)
  5. Chicos Bagos (CBS)
  6. Chicos Locos (CLS)
  7. Cut Downers (CDS)
  8. Dukes (DKS)
  9. EDS
  10. (FLS)
  11. Gatos Locos (GLS), Krazy Kats (KKS), Krazy Cats (KZCT, KZK)
  12. Las Locas (LAS) – female click
  13. Morgan Bagos (MBS)
  14. Midgets (MGS)
  15. Night Owls (NLS)
  16. Pee Wees Locos (PWLS)
  17. Pee Wees (PWS)
  18. South Central Locos (SCLS)
  19. Tiny Diablas (TDS)
  20. Tiny Locotes (TLS)
  21. Tiny Winos (TWS)
  22. (WLS)
  23. (WLR)

In 2004 the Los Angeles City Attorney’s filed a gang injunction against 38th Street and Judge Jane Johnson granted permanent status to the civil gang injunction in an effort to dismantle and reduce criminal activity of the gang. In 2015 it remains one of the most present street gang in the area, over shadowing even the African-American gangs that they share territory with.

In January of 2011, 53 suspected 38th Street members were indicted on narcotics and firearms charges. Varrio 38th Street became the subject of a 130-page grand jury indictment alleging violations of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act (United States v. Luis “Penguin” Orozco). Over 50 defendants were charged with acting on behalf of the gang and participating in murders, murder plots, attempted murders, narcotics trafficking, robberies, extortion and witness intimidation.

Rivals to 38th Street include Eastside Trece, Barrio Mohados (BMS), Ghetto Boyz (GBZ), Florencia 13, Pueblo Bloods and All For Crime Bloods.

Deceased 38th Street Members

  1. Lucio “Bad Boy” Rodarte, 40, (1969 – July 27, 2009) – shot multiple times in the head in an alley near Alondra Boulevard between Lime Avenue and Frailey Avenue
  2. Robert “Bobby” Tellas
  3. Chele
  4. Chubs –
  5. Arturo “Lil Crook” Alvarez, 34, ( – July 7, 2009) – shot in South Gate, CA
  6. Evil –
  7. Victor “Flaco” Moreno, 19, (1990 – May 14, 2009) – was shot multiple on the 1700 block of East Vernon Avenue. Florencia members Israel Lopez and Alfred Rodriguez were convicted for this murder.
  8. Eugene “Geney” Carpio (July 25, 1925 – Oct. 17, 1970)
  9. Henry “Hank” Leyvas, (Apr. 24, 1923 – July 6, 1971), was a member during the 1942 Sleepy Lagoon trial and was one of the original Mexican Mafia members during the late 1950s.
  10. Joseph “Joey” Carpio (1919 – ?), was a member during the Sleepy Lagoon murder trial in 1942.
  11. Oso – died from health complications while in a California prison
  12. Pe Pe –
  13. Midget –
  14. Efrain “Payaso / Clown” Olmos, 39, (August 16, 1970 – August 24, 2009) – shot and killed in his car by passenger in back seat at 9500 block of Bandera Street in Watts
  15. Shaggy ( – 1996)
  16. Jorge Alberto “Sharps” Garcia ( – 2010)
  17. Ruben “Smurf” Urzoa, 18, (1992 – February 7, 2010) – killed by All For Crime member
  18. Luis “Spike” Zaragoza ( – September 23, 2001) – killed by 38th Street member
  19. Suspect –
  20. Woody – shot and killed by BMS member
  21. Walter Hernandez, 23, (1984 – September 10, 2007)
  22. Mauricio ( – 2003)
  23. Rafael Martinez ( – June 27, 2000)

102 Comments for “Varrio 38th Street in South Los Angeles”

  1. SS 3KZK8 ST

    SS 3KZK8 ST GANG NOMAS k-ingG FK BMK LPK KBSK 36k 41k PBSK HOBK E13K BOK KLSK HFK VHLSK 42K 39k 35k mcsk NSUK WK FDPKKKK AFCKK 18k MSK 8K PFK GBZK EVERY BODY kER TEST OR DONT BANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. GHETTO GANGSTER 27 ST LIL LKS

    PUROV.GHETTO BOYZ 27ST LIL LOKOS f TRAMP8 k f ALL MY ENEMIGAS

  3. kid robot

    SS 38 ST ALL DAY EVERY DAY PUNK ASS Ni66ahS

  4. evil gang rifa

    f TRAMPAS barrio evil gang u knoe wheres it att levas .. hahha rest in piss flako punck ass chavala .. EVIL TOWN ……. BE13 GANG OR DNT BANG 33RD TOKERS

    • lasio

      That vato named (Vago ss38st) is a straight SNITCH over on 92nd and Vermont him and some RATS from a tagging crew SouthSideLocos called the cops on all kinds of hoods EK13 JM13 18ST SUR13 that vato is well known as a cop caller and theres PAPERWORK to prove it

    • CAPPSTR38ST TLS

      f U LEVAS 38ST ALL DAY RANKING ASS FOO f ALL UR DEAD HOMIES CHEAP ASS VARRIO TEST GANG OR DONT BANG RIP FLACO TINY LOCOTES RIFFAMOS

  5. SCHOBOYS13

    f SUSPECTK FROM TRAMPFAKE HE A chick! SC HANG OUT BOYS13 MNS BWLS 58STDEMONS

  6. kid robot

    SS 38 ST
    blank BE13KK
    blank HANG OUT BOYSKK

    SS38 ST

  7. SCLPRPWS22LKS

    f TRAMPS BANG BANG LOKO PARK GANG ,WE k 4 THE TRHILLS!!!!!!

  8. badboy 38

    ima add one more to the list “sniper” rest in peace lived in car accident miss you homie.

  9. SAINT

    you forgot the homies RIP…. lil’ loko, loko, snaps, lil’mo, baby trouble, and silent……..
    F#@K a fart….a peanut, hang out boyz,
    Big TEST’LS All Day….

    • SAINT

      ANOTHER DOWN HOMIE..RESTIN’ IN PEACE IS THE HOMIE SHYBOY…. N E BODY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT FOO WAKO AND THIS FOO EVIL FROM NLS?

      • Manuel

        Wako had a car accident then married and moved to San Bernardino back in 1999 and the homie Evil went out like a champ ked by the cops. May he Rest In Peace, let’s not forget
        Memo, felow’s lil brother and Nene from the NLS and big Shaggy RIP. This is Puppet from the Night Owls SS38THST.

      • XV3 PWWS

        Your homie Vago ss38st thru RAT on my homie from 18 over on 92nd/Vermont the paper work is here…give him up

    • badboy 38

      hey homie silent is he the og silent.

  10. SS29ERS

    HUNTINGTON PARK THAT DOUBLE >S< 2WENTY 9INE ST GANG MLDS FROM RANDFLO TO SLAUSEN TO ___WOOD AVE TO ALANTIC YAMEAN POSTED ON 61PL f THIS INTERNET ish COME THRU THE BLOCK ILL LET THE NINA DO THE TALKING ………………….SS29STMLDS

  11. Sniper

    Homies!…Listen up..Word just came down that 2 foos from this so called varrio “hell bound” in pico union are ratas ..”informats”Also they never was given permission the used trece.Homies you know what to do.Roll them up A.S.A.P Your varrio will be blessed Gracias.They hang out Oylmpic to pico. fedora to vermont. Mucho gusto carnales..

  12. riesgo

    SS Aztlan 13 —–>76xPls

  13. snups

    I want to know if there are still around g’s from the 80’s, 90’s?
    Tito, Trouble, Bago, Shyboy, TearDrop, Pony, Goofy, Cholo, Angel, Lil Mono, Palaco2, Tiny, Loks, Sharky, La Giggles, La Pebbles, La Funny, La Chinita, La Blinky.

    Drop a line: habemusachum@live.com

  14. FK

    f TRAMPS PLAYBOYS GANG OR DONT BANG

  15. ese_sleepy213sc

    F#@K TRAMP8K ALL DAY EVERYDAY PURO V.SUR XIII B R S CLIKA TRAMP8K LPK TRAMP6K FRENCH FRIESK CHAP k GUMMYBEAR k 41STK ES13K NFK BK CK AGCK SXLK JRMK PBBK F#@K DA REST SUR SIDE XIII FORLIFE F#@K Ni66ahS GRINGOS AND F#@K FAKES

  16. Gehes

    GEHES 2TWELVE….. SC TLA..ALL DAII… BiiG UP T D HOMIEZ YALL KNO WHO YALL R…
    F#@K DA REZT…

  17. Mike

    WHATS UP WITH THE HOMIE OCHO FROM SS38 FROM THE PWS? THIS IS DROOPY FROM THE ES38ST ENANO DUKES..WAS BUSTED WITH THE HOMIE AWHILE BACK JUST WONDERING HOW THE HOMIE IS DOING

    • Estrella Ramirez

      This Estrella SS.V.LOCAS WHERE THE HOMIES FROM THAT BIG BAD 38 !?! I LOST CONTACT WITH ALL THE HOMIES ITS BEEN ABOUT 11 YEARS NOW AND ish IM READY TO COME HOME ! ANYBODY KNOW WHERE BIG SLEEPY AT ? SHOOT ME THE DIRECTA …

  18. Raskal

    f tramps!!torta k…big bad king blvd stoners muthafers!!!

  19. BMS 43ST. CLS

    F#@K TRAMPAS PINCHES JOTOS VALEN VERGA WE TAKING OVER PUTOS PINCHES JOTOS BMS ALL DAY

  20. VARRIO NUEVO ESTRADA X3 GANG

    f Tramp Fakes EASTSIDE V”N”E STRIGHT k-ingG THIS FOOLS

    • SS38ST

      HOW IS THAT WHEN YOU DONT COME OUT DEM PROJECTS…GOT YOUR chick ASS HOMIE COMING AND BUYING WEED FROM US ACTING LIKE A chick TALKNIG ABOUT WE DON T BEEF IT….HIT ME UP WHEN YOU COULD AFFORD RENT MONEY CUZ IS A SHAME TO LIVE IN THE PROJECTS…

  21. badboy test

    Still here !

  22. SOVER_3TRES 5CINCO ST GANG !

    VES35ST

    XXXVST

    k-ingG TRAMPAS !
    38K ALL DAY.

  23. LEETOE RLA OTD

    Reckless Life Allday! Only The Downest!!! LEETOE
    f: gods13 tLA dLA mre
    RIP
    SMURF
    SS 38st TLS

  24. SSVFlorenceGang! 59st

    f tramps! Florence Gang! f TortaK !
    Got off on some Ni66ahs on Vernon and alemeda and knock his ass out.
    BALA from tramp8 you a bitxh knocked you out in county. Haha lame ass Ni66ahs.

  25. SC50ST BGS

    FCK TRAMP’SK BIG 50 STREET RIFA GANG PKS BGS

  26. B.M.S

    BARRIO MOJADOS GANG POSTED ON THAT HOOPER AVE ALL DAY !

    -TRAMP k
    -PEANUT k
    -FLOWER k

    IT’S ALL ABOUT THAT BxMxS ! GANG

  27. Serio

    f trampochas this is Big Bad ass Varrio KBS BANGED OUT LOKOTES KBSBOLS RIFAMOS ESOS!!!

  28. crabk sillain tramp8k

    F#%K38k all tramp8 n dey dead homies da homies kd half of dey hud es pueblos get it str8 blood we da real tramp8k bloods projeck babies f a old Ni66ah yg yungridas no respect gang 212k alameda 55 compton ave slouson to vernon f tramps

  29. Criminal

    EsBMS 43st CLS- NOMAS!
    We empty out the clips on tramps n run a train on their baby mommas!

  30. Unknown

    inwanna be from 38

  31. BSV

    SU WOOOP!!! 56 Villains pbbk 38k ck, f 38k claiming slobk huh,,,,, f yah then 38k chickes ass muthablankas 38k stay out the hood 526 BSV

  32. ON GRAPE

    f DIRTY EIGHT

  33. ON GRAPE

    f DIRTY EIGHT STAY OUT OF WATTS LEVAS

  34. No_Namez

    Anybody know wassup with his brother too

  35. Edward

    BANG..THEE WASHINGTON
    BOYS GANG…AKA WASHINGTON
    LOCOS. ..WN”BOYS WN”LOCOS
    MAIN STREET LOCOS
    SOY KROOK. ..

  36. Edward

    LOS
    WASHINGTON
    BOYS 13

  37. goldcoins

    Varrio Goldcoins 13 f tv stands, f la mamada, f zapatoes, f puppy dog bars, f chanklas, f rimjobbers, f jawbreakers,f oatmeals, f probation k-ingg all you motherfers all day every day . f jungle puppy dogs and faketeens for being chickes. f grape vines and ratas. f you goldcoins gang or dont bang . el diablo is gonna take out you main head for dinner main course is his reputation appetizer is his dignity second course meal will be his pride. look out pray to tge santa muerte the devil doesnt get you but remeber santa muerte is a saint for justice .

  38. VELS13

    SC VERNON HOOD LOCOTES GANG
    f the rest. Dirty Apes k

  39. Riesgo

    SS Aztlan Rifa

  40. lokito

    SERENO 13 ISL

  41. PaRK STYLE!!

    North’East’Los’Angeles Barrio HighLand Parque Gang!! Sup 2 The Homies From SS38ST!! Big Sporty, Temper, Primo, Kasper, Scooby, OG Wino, Spanky, Duende!!
    R”I”P” LiL Sporty

  42. DoYouKnowChata

    bola de pendejos!

  43. VARRIO CLANTON 14ST SUR

    I TORCIDO WITH POLACO.GOOFY.SLEEPY.WOODY ALL BLACK VATOS IN THE MID EIGHTIES.ONCE WE SETTLED OUR DIFFERENCES THEY DID THERE THING WE DID OURS.THEY WERE ALL RIGHT PEEPS. I ALSO DID TIME WITH SCOOBY IN CYA BACK IN 88 GOOD CAT WE WERE IN PRESTON. I HEARD WOODY N GOOFY GOT SMOKED A FEW YEARS BACK. TO BAD THEY WERE ALL RIGHT. NORTH HOLLYWOOD C14STREET.CRAZY ALLEY G’S

  44. Cartel de Sinaloa

    Todos valen verga arriba el chapo Guzmán

  45. ES VHLSX3

    ES VERNON HOOD LOCOS X3 f ALL MY ENEMIES 38K PBSK LPK GBZK STSK. f 38K

  46. SNAPS

    Does anybody know the names of the EASTSIDE click of 38st?

  47. BMS13 & AVEs

    f 38thStK, i WAS THE ONE WHO blasted your homies And So What, Your chick As Tramp Homie Ran Threw The Park(honduras and long beach) An Graved His Baby As A Shield, So I would Not Blast, But His chick As Like All you Durty 8s (Tramps)he Got he gOT, on La Carreta on Vernon An CMPTN AVE……………….. …187 on a tramp…………………. , Your As Good As The Pueblos Bloods, pieces of ish, You Have No RANK In The Prison System, Your Gang Is a chick Gang

  48. Artesia 13

    VARRIO ARTESIA ARTA 13
    ARTA VARRIO CHIVAS
    BIG AVLS ARTA V LAKEWOOD SIDE!
    SOUTH EAST LA COUNTY

  49. "SS38ST KZK GLS"LIL MORENO

    Fk Bk Lk Pk f THE ENEMIGAS !! f OUR MAIN ENEMIGA FLOWERSK!! Test or don’t bang!!

  50. VERNON HOOD

    SC VHLSX3 VERNON HOOD LOKOSX3 f 38K PBSK LPK STSK f ALL MY HATERS VERNONHOOD LSX3 VHD VHDLS VELS

  51. Bubba Kanoosh

    Hood Raised Homie
    Banging For Respect, Banging For Recognition, Banging To Represent and Banging Just To fen Bang Motha fers!!!! South Side Varrio Tres Ocho Gang Por Vida….. Chowwww

  52. Bubba Kanoosh

    TEST GANG OR DONT BANG

  53. VERNON HOOD

    f 38K PBSK STSK LPK GBZK 41k MKNK KBSK ES VERNON HOOD LOKOSX3. VHLSX3 42ST 43ST 44ST 45ST 46ST WHAT AUP VERNON HOOD

  54. SCrappy

    SC 38st LS OG scrappy Still standing. TEST Life

  55. D0peyss38stgls

    Just letting all u chickes westill around motherfers nothing change Still here! the same fool down here in Tijuana whit my 2 boy,s emilio n pepito n my holes all around n everywhere n worldwide Still SS38STGLS

  56. Lil Demon

    SS38ST GLS KZK FkUCC ENIMIGAS Bk Fk Pk Vk Lk TEST GANG OR DONT BANG PERROS!!!

  57. CUTIE LOKZ TEST GANG

    TEST UP ALL MY SS38ST HOMIES AND HOMEGIRLS… I’M A MORGANERA disliked BY EVERYBODY IDGAF THO I’M STEADY HARDER THEN ALL OUR ENEMIES. HOW THESE Ni66ahS GONNA ACT WHEN A ACTIVE AND ATTRACTIVE MORGANERA BANGING THAT TEST GANG ROUND HOUSED YOUR HOMEBOYS STR8IGHT KNOCKED EM COLD OUT BY A 5’1 BAD chick WEARING STILETTOS….AHA… TEST GANG OR DON’T BANG . I’M CUTIE FROM 38stsmart

  58. boxer51st@yahoo.com

    South Central LA Varrio East Side 51st Street Gang Or Don’t Bang F$@% tramps 38k Fk Bk 3k

  59. smilingfaces86

    So what happen to Cricket, Tito, wimpy ? I thought woody was doing life ? How did he get shot by BMS ? Was Wimpy the one with green eyes ?

  60. eslilbomber13

    F#@K TRAMPAS PINCHES JOTOS VALEN VERGA WE TAKING OVER PUTOS PINCHES JOTOS ESV38 ALL DAY, WE POSTED AT CALLE 38 NO f WIT US N ROUN NOSOTROS RIFFAMOS

  61. UNNAMED DEALER$$#38

    PERIKO FROM EAST LS GSL CALL DA HOMIES! 10 LILBAG!!!

  62. CYCOKTZ13

    IM A REAL ONE FROM DA WHOLE GANG KRAZY KATZ 13 f GATASK YLL AIN REAL GOOFY MY HOMIE EXPOSIN YLL JOTOS IN YA FACE HAHA!

  63. MBS SS38ST

    Varrio Tres-Ocho MBS TEST GANG OR DONT BANG!! FK BK VK PK LK fk all ENEMIGAS SS38ST

  64. Anonymous

    Whatever happen to trouble from 38st TLS

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