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Gang Lite?

A new kind of gang in Texas and Houston promises protection but no lifelong commitment

In 2001, Randy got into it with his fellow Tango Blast inmates over whether or not to go to war against rival members of the African-American gang, the Crips, who were gaining strength in his unit. The gang took a loose vote; the consensus was no. But Randy didn't care, and publicly chastised his fellow members for being "pussies." The next day, Randy was standing in the gym during recreation time when members of his gang piled on and began beating him. The day after that, they paid a member of a rival gang to kill him, says Randy.

When he looks back over his life as a member of Houstone, Randy sees a touch of irony. Back when he joined, it was "jump" guys in and, if necessary, "jump" them out. But years later, they tried to snuff him out.

No longer active, Randy Moreno says Houstone recruits members promising brotherhood without lifelong commitment.
Daniel Kramer
No longer active, Randy Moreno says Houstone recruits members promising brotherhood without lifelong commitment.

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"I'm glad I never joined one of the 'families,'" says Randy, "because I would still have to be in it, and it would have really fucked up my life. On the other hand, joining Houstone or Tango Blast is like running head-on into total chaos. Yeah, they say it's something new, and it kinda is, but really, they're just doing the same thing as the others, just without the ­commitment."

chris.vogel@houstonpress.com

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