Two members of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges in a murder-for-hire scheme.
Stacy Cheyenne Barajas-Nunez, 24, and Erik Barajas, 34, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Barajas-Nunez also faces charges of transportation and possession of methamphetamine.
Authorities say Barajas-Nunez and Barajas are connected to Mexican gangs who have infiltrated the reservation. The two tribal members were charged along with a man whom the Drug Enforcement Administration says is a Mexican Mafia drug kingpin.
Rachael Barajas, the mother of the two tribal members, denied the accusations against her daughter. "Yeah, she has a lot of friends who are alleged gang members," Barajas said, The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported. "So what?"
Last December, authorities busted a major methamphetamine drug run by the Mexican Mafia. Dozens of people were arrested and four homes on the reservation were raided as part of the undercover sting.
Get the Story:Mother defends San Manuel tribal member charged in scheme (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 9/27)
pwpwd Relevant Links:
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians - http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov Related Stories:
Mexican gangs said to have infiltrated tribe (9/20)
Warrants served on San Manuel in major meth bust (12/13)
