Head of Denver gang admits guilt in four serious charges

DENVER — The leader of a Denver street gang pleaded guilty on Monday to four felony counts, the Denver District Attorney’s Office announced.

The DA’s office stated that Angel “Taz” Espinoza was the leader of the 2D$ criminal street gang, which stands for Too Damn Smooth, Too Damn Self-Made, and/or Too Damn Styling. He was one of the 13 2D$ members indicted in March 2023 for 254 felony counts, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated motor vehicle theft, assault, menacing, and robbery.

Espinoza entered a guilty plea on Monday for two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. As part of the plea agreement, he will receive a 95-year prison sentence.

The 13 indicted 2D$ members have all pleaded guilty, according to the Denver DA’s Office.

Denver DA John Walsh commented that Espinoza led a ruthless criminal organization that instilled fear in the neighborhoods of Westside Denver and disregarded human life. He commended the Denver DA’s Organized Crime Unit, prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN) for their exceptional work in dismantling the gang through a thorough multi-year investigation, resulting in the resolution of all 13 cases.

According to the DA’s office, the 13 2D$ members were responsible for dozens of shootings that targeted rival gang members between 2019 and 2022. The DA’s office identified two victims in its announcement: Paul Baca, Sr., who was killed in a shooting in Denver on January 22, 2021, and Christian Chirinos-Salazar, who was shot and killed in Denver on May 28, 2022.

The 254-count indictment identified nearly 200 additional victims, most of whom were not involved in gangs and were either caught in the crossfire or misidentified as rivals by 2D$ members, according to the district attorney’s office.

Espinoza will officially be sentenced during a hearing on May 22.