Federal prosecutors have charged six people in a racketeering case tied to an alleged El Cajon criminal street gang, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.

The indictment alleges that members and associates of the El Cajon Locos operated primarily out of the Terraza Hills Apartments in El Cajon and participated in drug trafficking, firearms offenses and violent crimes. Prosecutors said all six defendants are in custody.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, five alleged members and associates were indicted on federal RICO conspiracy charges. A sixth defendant, Nicole Cristina Gracia, was charged with witness tampering and witness harassment. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the case was investigated by the El Cajon Police Department, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. For Santee and East County residents, the case is worth watching because it involves a nearby city, regional law enforcement partners and allegations tied to violent crime, firearms and narcotics.

The case number listed by prosecutors is 26-CR-2808-LL. Source: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.