Full Name: F-Troop
Also Known As: FT, FXT, FTR, F-Troop 13
Founded: Late 1960s
Founding Location: Santa Ana, California
Gang Type: Sureño street gang
Affiliation: Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
Territory: Artesia Pilar, Central Santa Ana
Primary Turf Boundaries: First St, Bristol St, Raitt St, McFadden Ave
Primary Hub: El Salvador Park
Colors: Brown, Blue
Symbols: FT, FXT, XIII
Activities: Narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, assault, robbery, illegal gambling
Rivals: West Myrtle, Lopers, Delhi Gang, Santa Nita, Eastside Santa Ana, Townsend Street
The F-Troop, also known as F-Troop 13, is a long-standing predominantly Mexican-American street gang located in Santa Ana, California. Established in the late 1960s, the group has evolved from a neighborhood barrio into a structured organization operating under the influence of the Mexican Mafia.
The gang is deeply rooted in the Artesia Pilar neighborhood and is known for its long history of violent rivalries with surrounding gangs. Despite sustained law enforcement pressure, F-Troop has maintained its presence through multi-generational membership and continued recruitment within its core territory.
Origins (1960s–1980s)
F-Troop formed during the late 1960s as part of a broader wave of Hispanic neighborhood gangs emerging in Santa Ana. These early groups were built around identity, protection, and local cohesion. The name “F-Troop” is believed to have been inspired by the 1960s television series, reflecting a common pattern of adopting cultural references.
By the 1980s, the gang had grown in size and influence, and rising violence during this period led to increased attention from law enforcement and city officials, marking the beginning of sustained efforts to control gang activity in Santa Ana.
Sureño Alignment and Internal Shifts (1990s)
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, F-Troop became integrated into the Sureño network under the authority of the Mexican Mafia. This transition required the adoption of the number 13, participation in the prison-based hierarchy, and the payment of taxes derived from criminal activity. At the same time, internal tensions developed between cliques, particularly as the Salvador Park clique gained dominance within the gang.
Core Territory
F-Troop’s primary territory is centered in the Artesia Pilar neighborhood of Santa Ana. The gang’s traditional boundaries are generally recognized as First Street to the north, Bristol Street to the east, Raitt Street to the west, and McFadden Avenue to the south. This area consists of dense residential housing and has served as the gang’s base for decades, providing both a recruiting ground and a space for territorial enforcement.
El Salvador Park (Operational Hub)
Cliques
F-Troop is divided into multiple cliques that control different portions of its territory. The Salvador Park clique is the most dominant and operates out of the gang’s primary hub at El Salvador Park. The 6th Street clique maintains influence over central residential blocks, while the Southside clique has historically operated in the southwestern section of Santa Ana and was once considered one of the larger factions.
The Artesia clique remains deeply embedded in the gang’s core neighborhood and reflects the group’s long-standing local roots. Although these cliques operate under a unified identity, they have experienced internal conflict, particularly during earlier periods when leadership and influence were contested.
Culture & Identifiers
F-Troop’s identity is expressed through symbols, colors, clothing, and personal markings that reflect both traditional barrio culture and its alignment with the broader Sureño movement.
The Color Brown and Attire
The primary color associated with F-Troop is brown, a choice rooted in the “Brown Power” movement and the broader Chicano identity that influenced many Southern California gangs during the late 1960s and 1970s. Members often incorporate brown into their clothing, including Pendletons, flannels, and bandanas, particularly within their own neighborhood. Historically, this color served as a visible indicator of affiliation and local identity. At the same time, F-Troop’s alignment with the Sureño structure is reflected in the use of blue, which signifies loyalty to the Mexican Mafia. The coexistence of these colors highlights the gang’s dual identity, balancing its local barrio roots with its place within a larger prison-based network.
Symbols and Graffiti
F-Troop members commonly use identifiers such as FT, FXT, and FTR, along with the number XIII to denote their Sureño affiliation. Graffiti is used to mark territory, communicate with rivals, and reinforce the gang’s presence within the neighborhood. The crossing out of rival gang names is considered a serious sign of disrespect and often leads to retaliation.
Criminal Activity
F-Troop has been linked to a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, assaults, robberies, and illegal gambling operations commonly referred to as “slap houses.” These activities often operate within a broader network tied to the Mexican Mafia, allowing the gang to maintain both street-level control and connections to larger organized structures.
Mexican Mafia Connection
F-Troop operates under the authority of the Mexican Mafia, which exerts influence over many Sureño gangs throughout Southern California. This relationship involves the taxation of criminal profits, protection within the prison system, and enforcement through the threat of violence against those who fail to comply. Federal investigations have demonstrated that incarcerated leaders continue to direct operations through outside associates, often using contraband communication methods to maintain control over street-level activities.
Rivalries and Inter-Gang Conflict
The history of F-Troop is defined by long-standing territorial rivalries with the surrounding Santa Ana barrios. These conflicts are generational in nature and are sustained through cycles of retaliation, reputation-building, and the enforcement of territorial boundaries.
West Myrtle Rivalry
The conflict with the West Myrtle Gang is one of the most intense in the region. Because West Myrtle territory borders F-Troop’s core areas, the spaces between them have become frequent sites of confrontation. These encounters often escalate quickly, and the rivalry was highlighted in the 2004 Andres Reyes case, where a fatal incident occurred after F-Troop members entered a West Myrtle-controlled area.
Lopers Rivalry
F-Troop’s rivalry with the Lopers is driven by both territorial disputes and direct personal confrontations. This conflict was central to the 2011 Marlene Cerda cases, in which encounters began with verbal challenges, known as “hit-ups,” before escalating into shootings. These incidents illustrate how individual actions can intensify broader gang tensions.
Other Notable Rivalries
F-Troop also maintains long-standing conflicts with the Delhi Gang, the Santa Nita Gang, Eastside Santa Ana, and the Townsend Street Gang. Overlapping territories drive these rivalries, competition for influence, and repeated confrontations in both residential and public spaces.
Federal Operations (2026)
In April 2026, federal authorities conducted a major operation targeting networks linked to the Mexican Mafia across Southern California. The investigation resulted in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as firearms and cash proceeds. Authorities also revealed that many operations were being directed by incarcerated leaders using outside associates.
Community Impact
F-Troop’s presence has had a lasting effect on Santa Ana communities. Multi-generational membership has made the gang deeply embedded within certain neighborhoods, while fear of retaliation has contributed to a culture of silence among residents. This dynamic has strained relationships between the community and law enforcement, making long-term intervention difficult.
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