The Killer of His Daughter's Mother: A Cunning American Boy Becomes a Mexican Cartel Soldier and East L.A. Executioner

Chavarria and Gonzales believe Smiley kidnapped and probably killed Bello, but LAPD Foothills Division homicide supervisor Jim Freund says, "We can't prove that he was kidnapped. That came from the brother. ... Obviously someone dropped him off in the position" in which he was found, lying in his backseat with a bag pulled over his head.

But when it comes to murders and kidnappings in Southern California linked to Jose Saenz, Detective Gonzales says, "People aren't willing to cooperate and talk about what is going on and what is happening."

An eerie security camera sequence documents the execution of Oscar Torres

Bogart Bello’s gravestone overlooks his old gang’s East L.A. territory

Details

Video: FBI 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Jose Saenz's Horrific Execution of Gangster Buddy Oscar Torres

Related Content

• A Local Scooby-Doo Enthusiast Keeps Sending White Powder to Churches and Schools
  May 17, 2012
• Police Say a Man with a Mohawk, a Fedora and Two Guns Just Robbed a Mutual of Omaha
  March 27, 2012
• Now, They Find White Powder at the Crowley Courthouse
  May 17, 2012
• Paranoia Grips Dallas County Government Workers -- For Good Reason
  October 28, 2011
• Almost Three Years After FBI Raided Downtown ISP, Its CEO Is Found Guilty of Conspiracy
  December 22, 2011

More About

• Jose Saenz
• Oscar Torres
• Traci Gonzales
• Murder and Homicide
• Crime and Law

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

The killer of his daughter's mother has won silence on the streets of Southern California. Short of a confession from Smiley, Bello's death will go down as accidental, a reminder that the cross-border drug carnage in America's cities — fueled by Smiley and young boys who grow up to be like him, and their willing customers — is never fully measured.

Contact the writer at cpelisek@laweekly.com.

Rolo Ontiveros was a biz student at Cal State L.A., who held gang meetings at the campus library.

A YouTube video flickers with images of Smiley rubbing his hands gleefully, then executing his friend.

"They aren't dumb-ass, shave-your-head, baggy-pants gangsters." —L.A. County Sheriff's Detective Traci Gonzales

"The cross-border system of American and Mexican criminals is huge." —LAPD Homicide Detective Ron Chavarria