ts of morally and politically charged rules that begin with "blood in blood out," or a literally life-long 12 membership, and which range from maintaining a "high level of integrity," to sporting a La EME tatoo; members must acknowledge that the Mexican Mafia is a criminal organization and will engage in criminal activities which result in "monetary benefit." The "minute you utter the death oath," protected witness and former Mafia hitman Ramon (Mundo) Mendoza claims, "the Mexican Mafia comes first." Moreover, the La Eme furthers intra-prison discipline through hygiene and rules. For example, members are required to shave their hair, wear their uniforms neatly starched and pressed, and keep their cells clean and orderly.
Once accepted into the La EME gang, the member is introduced into militaristic, corporate-style hierarchy. The Mexican Mafia consists of a president (Godfather) and vice president, generals, lieutenants, sergeants and soldiers (soldados). (In May of 1995, the Los Angeles Mexican Mafia's Godfather, Benjamin (Topo) Peters, 54, his competing successor Ruben (Tupi) Hernandez, 35, and outside gang organ
...