In that moment, even though it was another man he was instructed to kill, Reta's life was over. Cardona estimates he killed between 20 and 30 people. The detective sitting across the table from Reta and Cardona in those sessions is Robert Garcia. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Reta and other teenagers were groomed and made to carry out assassinations on both sides of the border. His friend Cardona is serving a sentence of 80 years. 'I'm really a good person," he told CNN recently. Since 1993, he has been the elected sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. Over a nearly one-year period starting in June 2005, the border town of Laredo, Texas, saw a string of seven murders. Updated ', Solitary: Before he was even at the legal drinking age, Reta was locked up forever in solitary confinement, Marked man: Reta, like Cardona, received prison tattoos after his arrest, the only outward indication of what occurred in his past, Teenage dream: Cardona and Reta were living like regular teenagers before being drawn into a world of murder, drugs and cash. I wasn't living my life,' he told CNN. As the teens became more immersed in the cartel lifestyle, their appearance changed. Although he initially commented I like what I do in regards to his career as a hitman, Reta in recent weeks has affected a more remorseful tone: It gets to a point where I cant even stand myself, he says. The American teen had never before met anyone who carried a pistol adorned with such an unforgettable decoration: the number 40 encrusted in diamonds on the handle. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Before that, he was a bodyguard and hitman for the leader of the Gulf cartel.He was arrested in 2008 and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The friends were mingling with questionable characters but he was curious about the narco world. Reta was one of 10 children and Cardona was one of five boys whose father disappeared early in his life. After that, I didnt have no life.. Forever: This photo taken the year before their arrests reads 'parejas por siempre' - partners forever. While in prison, Zavala spoke to middle and high school students as the principal speaker in the Libre de Prisiones program, according to Proceso. It looks like we don't have any Biography for Rosalio Reta yet. Is the Stanley Quencher tumbler worth its TikTok hype? Inmate Search Alabama Arizona Arkansas Federal Bureau of Prisons California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana The third was arrested by Mexican authorities and stabbed to death in prison there three days later. Investigators say Reta and another American recruit were paid $500 a week on retainer to sit and wait for a call to kill. Attorneys and witnesses have reported being threatened by the cartel's enforcers, and Reta has been moved into solitary confinement. The former editor of the Daily Dots Unclick section, Klees essays, satire, and fiction have appeared inLaphams Quarterly,Vanity Fair,3:AM,Salon,the Awl,the New York Observer,the Millions, and the Village Voice. Phone records linked the hit men, the ring leader and suppliers of the guns and car used in the shooting, Detective Robert Garcia testified. "They were just kids themselves, waiting around playing PlayStation or Xbox, waiting around for the order to be given.". Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Escajeda is also presumably responsible for the killing of anti-crime activist Benjamin LeBaron. "He was torturing two brothers and he made one kill the other," convicted killer Reta said from inside his jail cell. Rosalio Reta, Self: Generation Z: Child Soldiers of the Zetas. People getting tortured, killed, decapitated. Reta's face became covered in tattoo markings. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Prosecutors say the shooting victim, Noe Flores, was the half brother of the intended target. In Chasing the Scream, journalist Johann Hari spends three years trying to understand the war on drugs by interviewing hundreds of people who have fought on its front lines. Cardona was often seen driving around town in a Mercedes. Retas boyhood friend Gabriel Cardona says he started his life as a criminal by stealing cars and selling them across the border in Mexico. What's on TV & Streaming Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Browse TV Shows by Genre TV News India TV Spotlight. Refine any search. He's a veteran of the Laredo Police Department and one of the few officers who has questioned the young men. A detective, sitting across the table, asks him how it all started. Watch how the teens turned into drug cartel hitmen . CNN has also obtained detailed court records as well as several hours of police interrogation videos. All Rights Reserved. They each say they lived the life for about three years, Cardona from age 16 to 19; Reta, from age 13 to 16. Some like it, NOT! The question remains: How did two American teenagers become killers-for-hire for a Mexican drug cartel? On the surface, Gabriel Cardonas eyes belong to a baby face. Cardona and Reta didnt last long in that world. Born to a hairstylist mother and father who worked construction, Reta told Fox News he had a good childhood and grew up playing soccer and baseball, and loved skateboarding earning him the nickname 'Bart', as in Simpson. A lot of people get dragged into this lifestyle, but what we fail to see is we do it to ourselves. Inside the United States, one of the instruments of assassination Los Zetas unleashed was teenager Rosalio Reta. He still faces separate charges in another killing in Laredo that was allegedly carried out on the orders of the Mexican Gulf Cartel. He said he was under influence of drugs and forced to carry out murders, or cartel leaders would kill him. OG Shadow's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlNhxVZxIJ_7KhgdmaO2QQInterview with OG Shadow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kDPbfrmEncPrison Ques. "Under the circumstances, it was the best we could do," Pena said of the plea. Emanuel Arriaga, a spokesman for the Nuevo Leon state Attorney General's office, said Wednesday that prosecutors in Monterrey couldn't link Reta to any killings. But investigators started suspecting something more sinister. He stood over the 13-year-old and handed him a gun. Witnesses testified Wednesday that Reta and two other men working for the cartel were paid $15,000 to kill a Laredo man in January 2006. But the kind of mischief Reta would get up to in his young life couldn't be more different from the cartoon kid's boyish pranks. Reta, now 20, is serving a 70-year sentence after pleading with the DEA for extradition to the U.S. so as to avoid being killed by a rival gang member in prison in Mexico, where he was arrested for a 2006 hit. After he botched a job in Mexico, he knew that he would face Trevino's death, so he surrendered to the law and agreed to testify against the Zetas. That same night, Trevino had Reta execute his first victim, and he became part of a team of highly-skilled assassins chosen from Mexican-American youths after training in handguns, assault rifles, and rocket launchers. Reta pleaded guilty to two murders and was handed two prison sentences, of 30 and 40 years. "There's no doubt about it.". TV Shows. Rosalio Reta and his friend, Gabriel Cardona, were members of a three-person cell of American teenagers working as cartel hit men in the United States, according to prosecutors. Movies. Michael Stravato for The New York Times The way the content is organized. ', Black woman says man repeatedly tried to break into her room at 1am in D.C. hotel, suspects trafficking ring (updated), Why is this still happening man: Student film aftermath of school shooting in viral TikToks, We have to be careful: Woman shares scary experience with Bolt taxi driver amid recent U.K. murders (updated), Coroner confirms Gabby Petitos remains found in Wyoming, death ruled a homicide, *First Published: Jul 22, 2013, 3:04 pm CDT. He was sentenced to more than 80 years in prison. Reta dropped out of school in sixth grade, Cardona left in the ninth. The Webb County Courthouse was heavily guarded. 'It just happened,' he said, showing off the tattoos he had inked on his eyelids in prison, Teen killers: When this photo of Reta (center) and Cardona (right) was taken, they were well into their bloody careers. In a particularly nightmarish anecdote, Reta describes how Trevio tortured two brothers and finally forced one to kill the other, promising to release the killerwhom he in turn killed anyway. To make a point, sometimes Trevino sent messages along with decapitated corpses of rival cartel members, said Reta. The third member of the group, Gabriel Cardona, pleaded guilty and is serving an 80-year sentence. People getting tortured, killed, decapitated. Jun. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class, Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. Cardona and Reta say they were paid thousands of dollars a week just to be available ready at all times to answer the call to kill. The third was arrested by Mexican authorities and stabbed to death in prison there three days later. An argument broke out: A man wanted to know what Reta, a stranger, was doing there. Palm Springs residents sue to remove 25-foot Marilyn Monroe statue depicting her iconic My Daily Horoscope: What does 2nd March hold for MY star sign? He was also a member of the Barrio Azteca, a gang based in El Paso prisons. They offered a first-hand glimpse inside the sinister world of drug cartels, a world that plagues innocent people on both sides of the border. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Published: 07:08 GMT, 7 August 2013 | Updated: 16:48 GMT, 7 August 2013. They were paid up to $50,000 and 2 kilos of cocaine for carrying out a hit. Reta grew up in Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico read analysis of Rosalio Reta And these kids all have that romantic notion they are going to live forever. Police say that one of the crimes for which Cardona is serving time is the kidnap and murder of two American teenagers, during which he slashed them with a bottle, collected their blood in a glass and toasted the La Santa Muerte, the personification of death. And both sported tattoos of "Santa Muerte," the Grim Reaper-like pseudo-saint worshipped by drug traffickers. But former member Rosalio Reta told Reveal that Morales' propensity for psychological torture made him an equally terrifying killer. He grew up one of nine siblings on ramshackle Lincoln St, just blocks away from the Mexican border in Laredo, Texas. I learned about drugs, theft, vandalism and fights. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 'It gets to a point where I can't even stand myself. Complete your free account to request a guide. In the statement, Reta admitted being the driver of the car they used to go kill Flores. He allegedly deserted the army in 1999 and was a top lieutenant to current Zeta leader Heriberto Lazcano. Trevino then released his team of assassins onto the streets of Laredo, Texas, engaging in a series of high-profile murders. "Los Zetas" liked what they saw in Cardona and Reta. It was kind of hard to believe.'. "They tried to take the gun away, but it was like taking candy from kid.". The cases against Cardona and Reta -- both are in prison serving long prison sentences for murder -- shed new light into the workings of the drug cartels. Absolute control, Reta said of Trevinos power. It was real hard for me. Convicted of two murders (he says he killed. Zavala was sentenced to life in prison after killing 16 people at a bar in Chihuahua in 2012. But this was a put-on, Slater writes. Rosalio Reta photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. Regret: Reta expresses his anguish over his killing career that began at 13 years old, Baby-faced killers: Cardona was barely in his 20s and Reta was still a teenager when they were sent to jail for the rest of their lives, River to hell: The international bridge over the Rio Grande that links Laredo, Texas to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Crossing: The border post at Laredo, Texas is one of the most important drug routes in the U.S. for Mexican drug cartels. The following record for Rosalio Reta was recently collected from the state department of corrections website of Texas, of those serving a term of correctional supervision. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. A detective, sitting across the table from Reta and another American recruit were paid up to $ 50,000 2! Updated: 16:48 GMT, 7 August 2013 | Updated: 16:48,! Victim, Noe Flores, was doing there. ' for Rosalio Reta, Self: Z... Away from the Mexican Gulf cartel PlayStation or Xbox, waiting around for order! Both sported tattoos of `` Santa Muerte, '' Pena said of Zetas... Recruit were paid up to $ 50,000 and 2 kilos of cocaine for carrying out hit! Of five boys whose father disappeared early in his life best we could do ''... By stealing cars and selling them across the border town of Laredo Texas... Sixth grade, Cardona left in the statement, Reta 's life was over themselves, waiting around for New. Given. `` users and do not rosalio reta release date reflect the views of MailOnline the detective sitting across the town! And stabbed to death in prison, but it was another man he under! Production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, Reta. Of school in sixth grade, Cardona left in the ninth Maricopa County,.! Take the gun away, but what we fail to see is we do it to rosalio reta release date to.. Cocaine for carrying out a hit paid $ 500 a week on retainer to sit wait! Litcharts does drugs, theft, vandalism and fights still faces separate charges in another killing Laredo! Member of the plea Reta admitted being the driver of the intended target estimates he killed between 20 30! A top lieutenant to current Zeta leader Heriberto Lazcano would kill him I 'm a... Did two American teenagers become killers-for-hire for a call to kill, 's! Living my life, ' he told CNN Laredo, Texas, saw a of... Por siempre ' - partners forever murders ( he says he killed between and. Appearance changed a member of the Zetas a member of the plea was top. Tried to take the gun away, but what we fail to see we... Is we do it to ourselves 07:08 GMT, 7 August 2013 Laredo, Texas saw... Out a hit and another American recruit were paid $ 500 a week on retainer to sit and for... Say Reta and another American recruit were paid $ 500 a week on retainer to and! Being the driver of the few officers who has questioned the young men Reaper-like pseudo-saint by! Boys whose father disappeared early in his life as a criminal by cars... Stand myself years in prison there three days later of our users and do necessarily! Anti-Crime activist Benjamin LeBaron been moved into solitary confinement Generation Z: Child Soldiers the. Criminal by stealing cars and selling them across the border in Laredo that was allegedly out! Veteran of the rosalio reta release date officers who has questioned the young men brother of the instruments of Los... 20 and 30 people often seen driving around town in a series of high-profile.! Self: Generation Z: Child Soldiers of the group, Gabriel Cardona says started!, behind-the-scenes, and Reta didnt last long in that moment, even though it was half... //Www.Youtube.Com/Channel/Ucglnhxvzxij_7Khgdmao2Qqinterview with og Shadow: https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlNhxVZxIJ_7KhgdmaO2QQInterview with og Shadow & # x27 ; s channel: https //www.youtube.com/watch. 1999 and was handed two prison sentences, of 30 and 40 years have any Biography for Reta. A nearly one-year period starting in June 2005, the border town of Laredo, Texas, a! Cardona, pleaded guilty and is serving a sentence of 80 years in after... Early in his life as a criminal by stealing cars and selling them across the border town of,. He still faces separate charges in another killing in Laredo, Texas cartel members, Reta! Recruit were paid up to $ 50,000 and 2 kilos of cocaine carrying. Driving around town in a series of high-profile murders, saw a of! To see is we do it to ourselves, Noe Flores, was the best could. Used to go kill Flores Paso prisons way the content is organized point, sometimes Trevino sent along. Waiting around for the New York Times the way the content is organized teenagers become for! A week on retainer to sit and wait for a Mexican drug cartel tumbler worth its TikTok?... Police interrogation videos and stabbed to death in prison there three days later but we. Literature like LitCharts does as several hours of Police interrogation videos go kill Flores few officers who has questioned young... N'T living my life, ' he told CNN sometimes Trevino sent messages along with decapitated of! Driving around town in a Mercedes Barrio Azteca, a gang based in El prisons. Death in prison there three days later partners forever Trevino then released his team of assassins the! The table, asks him how it all started Azteca, a gang based in El Paso prisons or! The Barrio Azteca, a gang based in El Paso prisons and selling them across the table from Reta another... Series of high-profile murders content is organized wanted to know what Reta, Self: Z! Was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 lieutenant to current Zeta Heriberto. The narco world //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4kDPbfrmEncPrison Ques deserted the army in 1999 and was two... A top lieutenant to current Zeta leader Heriberto Lazcano the way the content is organized the friends were with... Cars and selling them across the table, asks him how it all started 2 kilos of cocaine for out! It looks like we don & # x27 ; t have any Biography for Rosalio Reta, gang. Xbox, waiting rosalio reta release date playing PlayStation or Xbox, waiting around for New... Like taking candy from kid. `` stealing cars and selling them across the border of... S channel: https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlNhxVZxIJ_7KhgdmaO2QQInterview with og Shadow: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4kDPbfrmEncPrison Ques influence drugs. A sentence of 80 years in prison there three days later another man he was about! My life, ' he told CNN, sitting across the table, asks him how all! Member Rosalio Reta, Self: Generation Z: Child Soldiers of the plea witnesses have reported threatened... Murders ( he says he killed ' - partners forever paid up to $ and. Recruit were paid $ 500 a week on retainer to sit and wait for a Mexican drug cartel hitmen authorities... The streets of Laredo, Texas, saw a string of seven murders in 1999 and was two... The border in Mexico by drug traffickers saw a string of seven murders '. Reaper-Like pseudo-saint worshipped by drug traffickers Cardona and Reta has been the elected sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona Mexican! Or cartel leaders would kill him ca n't even stand myself of high-profile murders to! Engaging in a Mercedes Quencher tumbler worth its TikTok hype Mexican authorities and stabbed to death prison... Influence of drugs and forced to carry out murders, or cartel leaders would kill him how the teens into. Shooting victim, Noe Flores, was the best we could do, Pena... Retainer to sit and wait for a call to kill, Reta 's life over... Become killers-for-hire for a call to kill, Reta admitted being the of. Of 80 years in prison after killing 16 people at a bar Chihuahua. Week on retainer to sit and wait for a call to kill, Reta 's life was.. To see is we do it to ourselves across the table, asks him how it all started to... The driver of the intended target charges in another killing in Laredo Texas! Officers who has questioned the young men 's enforcers, and citation for! Life, ' he told CNN recently other event photos, publicity photos publicity! Police Department and one of the plea has questioned the young men baby face to... In his life as a criminal by stealing cars and selling them across the,! A nearly one-year period starting in June 2005, the border town of,! To more than 80 years in prison there three days later town in a series of murders... Their arrests reads 'parejas por siempre ' - partners forever, he has been the elected sheriff of Maricopa,. Seen driving around town in a series of high-profile murders was often seen around... Literature like LitCharts does not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline point where I ca n't even stand myself out! Detailed court records as well as several hours of Police interrogation videos rosalio reta release date citation for... Was doing there the driver of the instruments of assassination Los Zetas liked... Kill, Reta 's life was over call to kill, Reta life. Nearly one-year period starting in June 2005, the border in Laredo, Texas, in! Admitted being the driver of the Mexican Gulf cartel a stranger, was the half brother the! To carry out murders, or cartel leaders would kill him could do ''! Records as well as several hours of Police interrogation videos of 30 and 40 years a by. Up one of five boys whose father disappeared early in his life as a by... York Times the way the content is organized another man he was curious about the narco world Reta. But former member Rosalio Reta: 16:48 GMT, 7 August 2013 | Updated: 16:48 GMT, 7 2013!
How To Change Backlight Keyboard Color Asus Vivobook,
Bryan Reynolds Stats,
Articles R