Last December, United Nations founder Clay Roueche told a Seattle judge that he regretted his life of crime, but on a new Facebook page he is celebrating the 13th anniversary of his violent drug gang.
The Chilliwack native is serving a 30-year sentence in Jonesville, Virginia after pleading guilty to being the kingpin in an international drug smuggling operation.
Despite his incarceration, Roueche is chatting with supporters and relatives on Facebook page set up on his behalf.
And he marked the anniversary of the UN gang last month by quoting its motto – "Honor. Loyality, Respect. Happy Anniversary."
There is also an drawing of Roueche’s with an Asian warrior and the gang’s founding date of May 25, 1997 saying "Happy 13th anniversary."
"Happy anniversary to all my bros!!! Enjoy this special day and know that NONE of you are ever forgotten or not Appreciated!!" Roueche said.
The Facebook page, which was set up "by and for friends and family of Clay’s"offers up new photos of Roueche looking fit and posing with other inmates at Lee Penitentiary – a high-security mens prison where he was sent in March.
"This page is not monitored directly by Clay, but it will always be up to date with his current contact info," the page administrators say.
On the page, Roueche is listed as "single," a Buddhist and looking for friendship, a relationship and networking.
Under favourite quotation, he lists his own comment to U.S. Federal Court Judge Robert Lasnik at his sentencing last December: "I believe circumstances always change. What’s negative today is positive tomorrow. That is why I live free of fear and without sorrow."
There is a photo of UN gang members entitled "Mexico Fun" that includes Roueche, slain gang members Elliott Castaneda and Lou Kaawach, as well as Jon Croitoru and Dan Russell, who are both charged with conspiring to kill the Bacon brothers and currently in jail.
Roueche’s young daughter comments under the gang photo that she wants to hang it in her room.
And Roueche thanks his supporters.
"I can honestly say I am so honored and proud to feel the love and support from everyone I hold dear, knowing this I will never feel alone and I hope people know that I will always be home in spirit. Always remember a man’s actions speak for themselves (sic.) Facts don’t lie and some bonds are unbreakable, people that bear witness have nothing but respect for such unity!"
Sgt. Shinder Kirk, of the Gang Task Force, said the online glorification of the founder of a violent drug gang is extremely disturbing and bordering on hero worship.
"They are creating an idol out of somebody that is an admitted international drug trafficker," Kirk said. "When you are involved in high-level drug importation and distribution, there is always violence involved, yet he is being immortalized online. It is very disturbing and I find it very disappointing."
Roueche has access to an email program at Lee and is able to mail out photos of himself, Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Traci Billingsley said this week. He does not have internet access, nor can he send attachments with his emails, she said.
"Inmates don’t have cameras, but the institution may be doing picture-taking," Billingsley said.
"Sometime they are taken in the visiting room with visitors. Sometimes they are taken of the inmates alone and then generally the pictures that are taken become the property of the inmate. They are probably sending them through the mail."
She said the Bureau of Prisons has no position on facebook pages being put up on behalf of inmates.
"Because these facebook pages are put up by private citizens, they don’t come under our purview."
Roueche currently has 72 friends on his Facebook page who offer up comments and greetings, like those posted last Monday on Roueche’s 35 birthday.
Page administrators thanked "everyone that came out for the special birthday dinner!!!".
Abbotsford Detective Andrew Wooding, an expert on the UN gang, said it appears from the Facebook page that Roueche is trying to put on a brave face by quoting the UN motto when really he’s facing a very bleak future behind bars.
"He sees it as a principle thing and is showing that he is continuing to live by what he sees as his principles," Wooding said.
"His life has been turned upside down. It’s done a 180."
The wall also gives details of Roueche’s life behind bars like how much time he has used up in his phone privileges and when he might be able to call people again.
"Only 10 mins of phone time till Apr. 13th, so back to letters for now… And Much thanx to everyone who made it out to pay respects to D.W. And Evan for Me," Roueche said referring to Duane (D.W.) Meyer, a UN member gunned down in Abbotsford on March 8, 2008 and Evan Appell, also of the UN who died of a drug overdose on March 3, 2005.
An April 21 comment posted from Roueche says "USP LEE is currently on lockdown due to inmate fighting. No phonecalls or mail is permitted during this time so if you dont get any calls or messages don’t panic.
Then a few days later on April 27, a Roueche post says: "Lockdown Lifted! Back Online!"
Writings from when Roueche was held in solitary confinement before his guilty plea in April 2009 are also posted.
"With chain’s (sic) on my ankles and wris’s (sic) they know they cant make me so they say im a security risk. Their bullets can’t kill me, I won’t let them defeat me, even if my heart is bleeding, I won’t be retreating. I might be down but im not out, I will keep moving forward and make everyone proud."
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