Los Angeles, CA – Prosecutors in Los Angeles County on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, unveiled charges against 19 individuals, alleging a complex conspiracy orchestrated by the Mexican Mafia to murder prominent Los Angeles rapper Nelson Abrego, known professionally as Swifty Blue.
The charges, detailed in a complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, paint a picture of a plot originating from within the ranks of the notorious criminal organization, involving alleged communication through various channels, including social media and correctional facility lines.
Origins of the Alleged Plot
According to the prosecution, the directive to eliminate Swifty Blue was allegedly issued in 2022 by reputed Mexican Mafia member Manuel “Snuffy” Quintero. Quintero, 49, is identified as a longtime figure within the Paramount Varrio gang, a group with ties to the same city where both Quintero and Abrego grew up.
Authorities state that Quintero, who has a history of prior convictions including assault, manufacturing methamphetamine, and false imprisonment, was taken into custody on June 18, 2025, in connection with the conspiracy charges.
The alleged murder plot was reportedly far-reaching, involving individuals communicating across significant distances and jurisdictional boundaries. These communications allegedly occurred through platforms such as TikTok messages and recorded jail calls, connecting individuals in Kern County, inmates within downtown Los Angeles jails, and gang members operating in Paramount.
The Chain of Command
Prosecutors allege that the order from Quintero was disseminated through a network of subordinates. Among them is reportedly Giuseppe “Clever” Leyva, 34, who is currently in federal custody on unrelated charges. Leyva is accused of receiving the instructions in 2022 and further broadcasting them, ordering gang members to attack Swifty Blue “on sight.”
This alleged command structure and communication network underscore the sophisticated nature of the conspiracy described by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Attack Inside Correctional Facility
The alleged conspiracy escalated significantly with an attack on Swifty Blue while he was incarcerated in Men’s Central Jail in November 2023. According to the complaint, Abrego was reportedly beaten and stabbed by several inmates identified as Adrian “Slick” Bueno, Andrew “Largo” Shinaia, and Jude “Crazy” Valle. Prosecutors allege that another individual, Michael “Weasel” Ortiz, was involved by reportedly obstructing correctional facility cameras during the assault, allowing the attack to proceed with reduced visibility for staff.
Authorities contend that this violent incident inside the jail was not random but was a direct execution of the alleged murder order issued years earlier by Quintero.
Ongoing Threats and Current Status
Despite the severe attack in November 2023, Swifty Blue survived. The complaint suggests that the conspiracy did not end there, with subsequent alleged plots continuing even after the jail assault.
One such alleged act included vandalism targeting Swifty Blue’s family home, indicating the persistent nature of the threat against him and potentially his relatives.
Remarkably, Nelson Abrego, or Swifty Blue, was released from jail in March 2024, having survived the alleged assassination attempt and subsequent threats detailed in the charges.
The complaint also names Joshua “Demon” Euan, 37, as allegedly being involved in actions related to the conspiracy that occurred at a later stage. As of the filing of the charges, Euan reportedly remains at large, adding another dimension to the ongoing investigation and efforts to apprehend all those implicated in the plot.
The charges filed against the 19 individuals highlight law enforcement’s efforts to dismantle alleged criminal conspiracies involving high-profile figures and organized crime elements within the Los Angeles area. The case is expected to move through the Superior Court system, with further details likely to emerge as proceedings continue.
